If you feel like you blinked and all of a sudden it’s turned from summer to autumn, you’re not alone. The changing of the seasons can happen quickly. One day you’re wearing a breezy linen maxi dress, and the next you’re reaching for your beloved beige trench coat.
At times like these, it can be difficult to decide what to wear, which is why we love to turn to celebrities for inspiration. Jennifer Aniston was recently spotted on the street of New York in what could only be described as the perfect autumnal outfit. The actress paired a cropped jacket over a roll neck jumper and finished her look with a pair of slightly-flared indigo jeans. Stylish, right?
The beauty of this look is that it feels polished yet is extremely easy to recreate. After all, most of us already have a roll neck, blazer and blue jeans in our wardrobes.
It should be noted that this look was spotted on JenAn while she was out filming for the new season of The Morning Show, so there’s every chance this was not, in fact, an outfit she chose for herself. That doesn’t make it any less chic though! Keep scrolling to shop the casual autumn outfit formula for yourself.
Get The Look:
Double-breasted cropped jacket, £267 | Ganni
While we couldn’t find Jennifer’s exact coat, this Ganni version is quite similar. It features the same cropped silhouette as well as the double-breasted buttons.
Slim Fit Merino Wool Turtleneck, £45 | COS
Everyone needs a roll-neck or two in their life. These become quite the staple throughout winter so why not invest in a quality wool iteration?
Flared Cropped Stretch Jeans, £69 | Arket
Arket’s jeans are very popular amongst fashion editors, and this pair has a slight flare mimicking the style of Aniston’s pair above.
Charlie small leather shoulder bag, £1,290 | Saint Laurent
This appears to be the exact same bag as the one Aniston is carrying in the image. It’s such a cute option if you’re looking to invest in a crossbody bag that can be worn every day.
When the couple – who have son Archie and daughter Lilibet together – lived in the UK they lived at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor Great Park, and when they return to London to visit their royal relatives and attend events that is where they stay.
Although during their absence the pair let cousin Princess Eugenie and her family reside there.
However, it has transpired the couple had their sights set on a much larger property when they were working royals, and were disappointed to be given Forgmore Cottage.
Reportedly Meghan and Harry hoped to acquire a “suite of apartments at Windsor Castle”.
The late monarch’s decision to give Meghan and Harry Frogmore Cottage was a “big deal”, as it was a residence she would often pass, and meant she was giving up part of her privacy.
The Queen’s cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, told Katie: “The cottage was a big deal.
“The Queen’s entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her back yard, her solitude, and her privacy. She was giving that up in gifting Harry and Meghan Frogmore Cottage.
“We all thought it was very big of her. She said, ‘I hope they’ll respect it.'”
Not sure how to fuel? Scared your shoes aren't quite right? Or just worried you won't make it through in one piece? Let the running experts impart their wisdom.
Public service announcement: it’s London Marathon weekend. Feeling inspired seeing all the amazing runners lace up to tackle the 26.2 and Googling training tips for marathon? Well, you’re in the right place.
Running a marathon is no mean feat. You’ll end up with black toenails, DOMs for days, and a completely incomparable sense of pride, achievement and sheer elation. It’s like nothing else – and yes, absolutely anyone can do it (if you train).
So, where to start? This will depend on your fitness level – if you workout four times a week and run semi-regularly as is, you’ll want to try a different plan than, say, someone who’s never run before.
But there are some universal training tips for a marathon that apply to everyone. We’ve asked run coach and athlete Johnny Mellor, run coach Steve Vernon, and FIIT personal trainer Sean Kazab to share the fifteen most important things you need to know pre-running your first race – including what not to do come race day (we’re looking at you, brand new running trainers or accidental alarm snooze).
If you’re thinking about running or have trained for your first one, you’re likely feeling a combination of excitement, nerves, and what runners call “maranoia”- marathon paranoia, aka a slight nagging feeling that you haven’t quite done enough in training.
In training
1. First things first: pick a plan (and stick to it)
Want to run a marathon? First, pick a training plan (there are lots of great free options on the likes of Runners World). Most span twelve, sixteen or 20 weeks and will gradually build your body up to be able to tackle the distance come the big day.
As Kazab points out, research has shown those who have a specific workout plan are significantly more likely to achieve their goals. Similar to smashing your weekly home workouts or gym classes, a running training plan will guide you through a number of weeks of training with expert guidance. Plus, as the trainer emphasises, having a solid plan in place takes decision-making out of the process so all you have to focus on is each session.
“There are many training plans out there claiming to be the best but, realistically, the best plan is the one that you can stick to and that fits in with your lifestyle.”
Try this: when picking out a plan, try and look at the number of sessions per week and make sure it’s something you know you can stick to.
2. Workout your goal
Knowing how to run for longer can feel daunting, and this one’s one of the most important tips. As Kazab says, without a goal, you can’t score. Whether yours is to finish – that’s a feat in itself – or aim for a certain time – also impressive – remember not to compare yourself to others. This is your marathon, and your journey.
“Having clear specific, measurable and deliberate goals will help you develop a clear action plan,” he explains.
Try this: Whatever your goal is, write it down and make it clear.
3. Don’t do too much, too soon
FYI, a lot of running injuries are caused by doing too much, too soon.
Try this: Remember to pace yourself. Gradually build your running up from whatever fitness base you’re at – our running tips for beginners feature may help.
As long as you’ve ticked off the majority of your miles and followed (most of) your plan, you’ll have done enough. Marathon training is a fine balance between too little and too much – yes, rest is as important as training. Plus, trusting in your training is often as important as the training itself.
4. Remember to strength train, too
You might assume that training for a marathon simply means running loads, right?
Wrong. “Weight training is something endurance runners often neglect but its importance for both injury prevention as well as improvements in performance have been proven time and time again,” explains Kazab.
Try this: Add in one to two full body strength training sessions a week – the workouts on Fiit’s Marathon Prep Collection are specifically designed with runners in mind.
5. Prioritise sleep
Sounds simple, not so much in reality. “A consistent sleep routine is one of the most underrated methods of improving your recovery,” explains Kazab.
Try this: Ensure you have a good night’s sleep before all of yours runs, where possible. Growth hormones released in your sleep are key for tissue repair and recovery, so getting a consistent seven to eight hours in bed will only be beneficial. Wondering how you can get to sleep? Our guide to insomnia treatment is here to help. Health Editor Ally Head swears by her sunrise alarm clock for optimum shut eye.
The day before the race
6. Plan in advance
One thing to keep worries at bay? Have a clear race plan, and have a clear post-race plan, too, advises Mellor.
Try this: “As well as having a race plan in place, do make sure you’ve made a plan to meet friends and family after the race,” he advises. “The finish line is often very congested – knowing what set place your loved ones will be at after the marathon will help you push through the harder miles.”
7. Check your kit
Again, sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people end up scrambling around for safety pins or Vaseline come race day. Running shoes? Check. Gym leggings? Check.
Try this: “The day before the race, do a final kit check,” shares Mellor. “Pin your number to your vest and make sure you’ve not forgotten anything you might need on race day.”
Mellor likes to make notes on his phone in the week before the marathon to make sure he’s prepared.
8. Prepare yourself mentally for the tough bits
Tough patches are inevitable in a marathon – how you tackle them is up to you (but our guide to reframing negative thoughts might help).
“These tough bits can sometimes come earlier than you think, so it’s good to think about how you will overcome them with positive self talk and reminding yourself of all the hard work and training you have put in,” shares Vernon.
Try this: Have a clear action plan for how you’re going to overcome negative thoughts and emotions mid-race. “There is no need to panic if you have done the work, so simply slow down and allow it to pass,” advises Vernon.
9. Break down the mileage
This one’s really key. “The overall distance can be daunting, so break it down with process goals,” recommends Vernon.
Try this: Whether you’ll aim for distance markers – ten miles, fifteen, twenty, twenty five and then the finish – or instead focus on landmarks or where your friends and family cheering along is up to you. “You can reward yourself by having some of your favourite fuel or listening to a motivational song – anything that gives you a boost”, advises Vernon.
10. Sort your fueling
On the topic of fueling – made sure you’ve worked out what works for you prior to race day. You’ll need to fuel little and often, explains Mellor – as a general rule of thumb, you’ll need at least 30g of carbs per hour minimum.
Try this: “If you have eaten and hydrated well in the 48 hours before, your glycogen stores will be optimised, but you will still need to drink and fuel along the way,” he explains. Try to sip at drinks at regular intervals and take on some fuel either in the form of a sports drink, gel or sweets at least once every hour.
On the nutrition topic, don’t eat anything too different in the week leading up to race day. “The final week before the marathon isn’t the time to make changes to your diet,” shares Mellor.
Try this: Instead, eat foods that you know sit well with you. Prep your fridge (or bag) with porridge pots and basic carbs that you know work for you.
On race day
12. Give yourself enough time
You don’t want to be scrambling around pre-race, as we’ve touched on, so make sure you’re prepared.
Try this: “Wake up in plenty of time on race day and give yourself sufficient time to go to the bathroom, eat and get to the start line so you’re not rushing,” advises Mellor.
Also note here: it’s normal not to sleep well the night before the race. You’ll be nervous – this is bound to happen.
13. Don’t try anything new
Again, you’ll have heard it before but would be amazed at how many people do it. “Don’t wear anything new in the marathon – this includes running shoes, gym leggings and any other workout kit,” explains Mellor.
Try this: Opt for trainers you’ve worn before and broken in, advises the athlete. “Break any new kit in for a couple of weeks before racing in them,” he advises. “I like to do a final dress rehearsal two weeks out, which includes running in the kit and trainers I plan wearing on race morning.”
14. Remember to take the first half of the race steady
It’s likely you will have a goal in mind based on your training – make sure you don’t set off too fast, as you’ll come to regret it in the second half of the race, shares Vernon.
Try this: “Run steady for the first half – it’s easy to get carried away with the adrenaline from the crowds and hearing your family and friends on the road, so be smart,” he adds.
15. And lastly… enjoy
Because, ultimately, that’s what it’s about, right? “Make sure you enjoy the race,” stresses Vernon. “We all know the marathon is hard for all abilities, but you can still enjoy it by soaking in the incredible atmosphere along the way and sharing the journey with fellow competitors out on the road,” he says.
Try this: Smile when you start to suffer….if it works for World Marathon Record Holder Eliud Kipchoge then it’s worth trying, says Vernon.
What is a marathon?
Simply put, a long-distance running race, of 26.2 miles or 42km. “It’s over eight ParkRuns or 105.5 laps of a running track,” explains Vernon. “Either way, it’s a long way!”
Is it normal to feel nervous before a marathon?
Short answer? Yes, explains Mellor.
“It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous pre-race and it’s worth remembering thousands of runners are going through exactly the same,” he shares. “Nerves are good – they show you care. Remind yourself of the tough sessions you worked through and trust that you’ve given it your best shot. It’s all you can do,” he concludes.
Protests have spread across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman who died in police custody on 16 September 2022, after reported torture by the country’s morality police.
Amini was arrested in Tehran for wearing her headscarf too loosely, with her tragic death triggering violent civil unrest across the country in a stand against the government’s regime and its oppression of women, particularly in relation to its hijab laws.
In the days since Amini’s death, Iranian women have been publicly removing their headscarves – a punishable crime in the country, with many going on to burn their hijabs and cut their hair in an act of defiance to the government.
“Hijab police killed Mahsa Amini but now there are millions of Mahsa in Iran,” wrote Iranian activist Darya Safai as the protests began. “We will fight. We will win.”
Getty Images
Iranian women across the world have been removing their headscarves and cutting their hair in solidarity with those protesting inside the country.
Among them is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian national who was arrested in Tehran in 2016 while working as a charity project manager. She spent six years detained in Iranian jail on accusations of spying, despite continually denying the allegations. She was finally released on 16 March 2022 after Britain paid Iran an outstanding debt of £393.8 million.
Getty Images
The video released this week via BBC Persian shows Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe cutting her hair with scissors in a sign of solidary with the protesters in Iran.
“For my mother, for my daughter, for the fear of solitary confinement, for the women of my country, for freedom,” she announced at the end of the video.
Civil unrest continues across Iran, with the government enforcing its most severe internet lockdown in years. 83 deaths have been recorded so far in the clashes between civilians and authorities.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has shocked many with her recent royal decision, but she only has her family and their best interest’s at heart.
It has recently been reported, the royal has stripped some of her grandchildren of their royal title.
Queen Margrethe II has eight grandchildren, Prince Nikolai, Prince Christian, Prince Felix, Princess Isabella, Princess Athena, Princess Josephine, Prince Vincent, Prince Henrik.
However, four of them have been stripped of their royal title.
The 82-year-old royal’s decision is to encourage her grandchildren to live a more “normal life” without their royal title and responsibilities.
The grandchildren who have ditched their royal title and will no longer be referred to as Prince or Princess, are Prince Joachim’s four children, Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Athena, 10, and 13-year-old Henrik.
The title change will come in to place from 1 January 2023.
Instead the Queen of Denmark’s four grandchildren can “only use their titles as Counts and Countess of Monpezat”, and are said to be referred to as excellencies in the future.
The Queen announced her decision in a statement, which was released by the Danish royal family earlier this week.
The announcement read: “Her Majesty The Queen wishes to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent, without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.”
Although a few of the Queen of Denmark’s grandchildren will be rid of their royal title, it does not upset the balance in terms of the order of succession.
The statement continued: “All four grandchildren maintain their places in the order of succession.”
However, it has yet to be confirmed what Queen Margrethe’s children and grandchildren think of the decision.
On the Queen’s death certificate it also revealed Princess Anne was the “informant”, and notified the registrar of her mother’s passing and tragic loss.
The Princess Royal had previously confirmed she was with her mother – who was the longest serving royal having recently celebrated her 70 year reign – during her final moments.
Speaking previously Anne, 72, shared: “I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life.”
The ceremony was attended by her children, including the new King of England, King Charles III, his wife Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, the Queen’s grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
In addition 100 presidents and heads of government from across the globe also joined 2,000 mourners at Westminster Abbey.
The Queen was finally laid to rest in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where her late husband Prince Philip, as well as the Queen’s late parents George VI, and The Queen Mother, were buried.
Thousands of people in London and Windsor flocked to pay their respects following the sad news in early September, as well as on the day of rest.
WINDSOR - MAY 17: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry attend the wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly at St. George's Chapel on May 17, 2008 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
Camilla, the now Queen Consort, was introduced slowly into the Royal Family after the divorce of then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana, until she eventually married Charles in 2005.
Of course, this came after Charles’ public admission that he had in fact had an affair with Camilla while he was still married to Diana, with whom he shared sons Prince William and Prince Harry.
Because the two young Princes knew this, it can’t have been easy for them to accept Camilla as one of their own in the beginning, and for one royal author, Camilla’s relationship with Harry in particular was quite strained.
“The Duchess always felt quite wary of Harry and used to see him out of the corner of her eye looking at her in a long and cold way. She found it rather unnerving. Otherwise, they got on quite well,” Angela Levin writes in Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: From Outcast to Future Queen Consort (via Express).
“She was always supportive of him and, when she felt the time was right, tried to help him understand the challenges of being young in the modern world, and in a world that was more open than the one the Prince of Wales had to cope with as a child.
“She never interfered directly or tried to be a surrogate mother. Instead, she was a supportive figure in the background. What I observed between them was always friendly. He was and still is a lost soul in so many ways.”
The specific relationship between Prince Harry and Queen Camilla isn’t talked about much, but sadly the Duke of Sussex’ relationship with the Royal Family in general has been quite difficult since he and his wife Meghan Markle decided to step down from their royal duties and move to California in early 2020. The rift between him and his older brother William has been especially scrutinised, and royal fans are hoping that they can make up in the near future.
TOPSHOT - (From L) Britain's Prince George of Cambridge, Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Britain's Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrive for a settling in afternoon at Lambrook School, near Ascot in Berkshire on September 7, 2022 on the eve of their first school day. (Photo by Jonathan Brady / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince George, 9, has had to learn a new skill since starting at Lambrook School earlier this month.
With a new school comes a new school uniform, and George’s now includes a tie, which he is currently learning to tie by himself, his mum Princess Kate has revealed.
During the Prince and Princess of Wales’ visit to their eponymous country earlier this week, Kate stopped to speak to a group of children in their school uniform, which included a tie.
She asked one boy: “Do you tie your own tie?” (via Hello!).
When the little boy told Kate he did, she told him: “Well done you. I’ve been teaching George because he has got to wear a tie now for school, so I’m having to teach him how to do it.
“But well done, you’ve done a good job with your tie. Nice to meet you.”
George started at Lambrook on 7th September, alongside his younger sibling Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4. Sadly, their great grandmother Queen Elizabeth II died just one day later, amid what was already a time of many changes for the three royal children.
The family of five recently moved out of Kensington Palace in London and into the less intimidating Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, where the children can have more privacy. The home was chosen in part because of its proximity to the Queen, but tragically she had remained in Scotland while the Waleses moved to Adelaide, so they never got to be neighbours.
Still, Windsor is just an hour’s drive away from the children’s grandparents on the Middleton side’s home, Bucklebury Manor.
As for Lambrook, it sounds like the children are going to be very happy there, thanks to the many activities the school offers — not to mention the pet rabbits, pigs and chickens.
Princess Kate previously told a well-wisher that her children were really enjoying Lambrook already, and making new friends as well.
While Buckingham Palace launched an investigation into these allegations, they never released the results of said investigation, which means we don’t know what was behind the accusation and how much truth there was in it — if any.
Still, Valentine Low, the reporter who first broke the news of these claims, has just released a new royal book titled Courtiers, which digs into what goes on behind closed doors in the royal households. And according to his reporting, members of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ staff were at the very least dissatisfied with how they were treated on the job.
Meghan reportedly gave one young woman on staff a hard time when she criticised a plan she had made for something and implied she needed her to start over, during a meeting which included other staff members.
“Don’t worry,” Meghan told the woman, according to Valentine (via The Times). “If there was literally anyone else I could ask to do this, I would be asking them instead of you.”
Apparently, Prince William caught wind of this and told that member of staff: “I hope you’re OK. You’re doing a really good job.” This made her cry, Valentine claims.
There was another occasion when the staffer felt she had not been treated fairly. She told Valentine about being out for a meal on a Friday night and Meghan calling her during it because of a particular issue.
“Every ten minutes, I had to go outside to be screamed at by her and Harry. It was, ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this. You’ve let me down. What were you thinking?’ It went on for a couple of hours,” she said.
The staffer claimed that the Duchess continued to call her for the following few days. “You could not escape them. There were no lines or boundaries — it was last thing at night, first thing in the morning,” she recalled.
In March 2021, before the Oprah interview aired, a spokesperson for the Duchess issued the following statement: “Let’s just call this what it is — a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet.
“It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining The Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and The Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.”
The Sussexes have not yet commented on these claims.
Pandora is known for its collaborations. The brand has created jewellery and charms in partnership with Disney, Harry Potter and more recently, Marvel. Today, the label has released a collaboration of a different kind, veering away from film and tv, to take inspiration from renowned artist Keith Haring.
Haring is known for his distinctive bold line designs which were prevalent in the 1980s throughout New York. His pop-art style is an instantly recognizable signature that could be identified anywhere.
For the collection, Pandora has created a range of rings, earrings, bracelets and charms that feature the distinctive Harring imagery. The designs include flashes of bold colour, which were a hallmark of Haring’s art, as well as his iconic heart and barking dog motifs.
Keep scrolling to take a look at the collection and shop your favourite pieces below.
Shop Keith Haring x Pandora:
Keith Haring x Pandora Line Art Love & People Wide Ring, £125 | Pandora
These dancing figures are a key hallmark of Haring’s art. Here Pandora has transferred these distinctive designs to a piece of wearable art in the form of a ring.
Keith Haring x Pandora Two-tone Love Links Bracelet, £175 | Pandora
Created from a combination of sterling silver and 18K gold-plated metal, this love bracelet features Haring’s radiating heart motif, which he was known for in the 1980s.
Keith Haring x Pandora Moments Radiant Heart Snake Chain Bracelet, £80 | Pandora
If you’re a collector of Pandora charms, this bracelet is a great choice. The brand has updated its signature charm bracelet to create an iteration with a pink heart at the centre.
Keith Haring x Pandora Barking Dog Charm, £60 | Pandora
A true collector’s item for fans of Keith Haring, this charm features the artist’s iconic barking dog design.
Keith Haring x Pandora Walking Heart Double Dangle Charm, £70 | Pandora
Featuring Haring’s iconic walking heart design, this dangle charm will make a great addition to your charm bracelet.
Keith Haring x Pandora Walking Heart Stud Earrings, £180 | Pandora
Any fans of Keith Haring will recognise this walking heart. Here, Pandora has reimagined the design in a pair of earrings.
It’s not news that it’s cold out, with temperatures set to drop even further next week. In a word: brrrrrrr.
As a result, it’s getting harder (and harder) to get up in the mornings, isn’t it? Combine lack of sunlight with the sudden drop in temperature and the fact you feel like you’ve been hit by a train despite getting eight houts sleep, and the cozy allure of your duvet becomes all the more tempting, even with a sunrise alarm clock to help you up.
That’s where, as a Health Editor, I thought I’d remind you that the NHS website advises you start supplementing Vitamin D as the days get shorter.
As per the NHS doctors, Vitamin D is key for helping your body to regulate levels of both calcium and phosphate, which in turn maintain your bone, teeth and muscle health.
In the UK, you’re advised to supplement Vitamin D from the end of September until the end of March, as during this period, we’re unable to get enough Vitamin D from sunlight.
As per the NHS website, you need ten micrograms of vitamin D a day. This applies to any children above the age of one year and all adults who live in the UK. Kids under one require 8.5 micrograms per day.
Amount specified by International Units on your supplement packaging? FYI, ten micrograms of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU.
Do note: sometimes the amount of vitamin D is shown on the bottle as International Units (IU). FYI, ten micrograms of vitamin D is equal to 400 IU.
Basically, keeping your mind and body well during winter, as per government guidelines, does require a vitamin D supplement. Just make sure it’s the right amount, and do check with your doctor if you are taking other supplements.
Vitamin D overdose warning
Wondering if you can take too much vitamin D? Short answer: yes, you can, as new research in the British Medical Journal has highlighted.
It’s on the rise and linked to a wide range of potentially serious health issues, they share.
Called “Hypervitaminosis D,” the doctors who conducted the study say it refers to supplementing too much vitamin D and subsequently feeling:
Drowsiness
Confusion
Psychosis
Vomiting
Constipation
Peptic ulcers
Pancreatitis
High blood pressure, and more.
“This case report further highlights the potential toxicity of supplements that are largely considered safe until taken in unsafe amounts or in unsafe combinations,” they conclude.
While this isn’t something to immediately stress about, it is something to be mindful of, warn the doctors in the journal. The main thing is to make sure you aren’t supplementing too much vitamin D, and further, check with your doctor if you are taking other supplements alongside it.
x Pandora:
