
4 essential officecore trends to update your work wardrobe
Taking inspiration from the Noughties, ‘officecore’ is all about embracing traditional workwear in a modern way. Big on TikTok, the nine-to-five trend focuses on relaxed tailoring and preppy pieces that look cool whether you work in an office or not. And with that ‘back to school’ feeling in the air, now is the perfect time to refresh your work wardrobe. Here are four officecore ideas to shop this season… 1. Beige tailoring After kicking logomania to the curb, the quiet luxury trend is going nowhere, and that means a pale palette from day to night. Swap your usual black blazer for a two-piece co-ord in a soft shade like beige, biscuit, oatmeal or caramel. Add gold hoop earrings and a tonal leather tote to complete your laidback luxe look. Topshop Brushed Blazer Coat in Oat, £69.70 (was £82); Mini Skirt in Oatmeal, £30.60 (was £36), ASOS (accessories, stylist’s own) Fanfare Ethically Made Beige Linen Suit Jacket, £189 2. Pleated trousers Slim-cut Noughties trousers aren’t part of the officecore agenda (you may be pleased to here). Pleated wide-leg styles are the must-have of the season – perfect for pairing with crisp cotton shirts now, and rollneck tops as the weather turns cooler. Choose from extra-long ‘puddle pants’ that reach the floor, or ankle-length hems to show off your footwear. Paisie Teal Pleated High Waist Trousers, £95; Dark Green Knitted Cut Out Sleeve Top, £78 (top available in October) Misirli 1951 Tie Belt Anthracite Metallic Pants, £164.57 (were £274.28) 3. Pinstripe pieces The heritage print – fine chalky lines on a dark background – has had a major comeback lately in the form of minimalist separates you can mix and match. Try a waistcoat and trousers co-ord or a pinstripe shirt teamed with a high-waisted skirt. Threadbare Women’s Charcoal Pinstripe Lined Fitted Tailored Waistcoat, £39; Women’s Charcoal Pinstripe Wide Leg Tailored Trousers, £43 (shoes, stylist’s own) Fig & Basil Long Sleeve Pinstripe Shirt, £32; PU Ruched Midi Skirt, £40; V by Very Wide Fit Block Heel Slouch Knee Boot With Wider Fitting Calf, £45, Very 4. Luxe loafers Nothing says ‘back to school’ style like a pair of shiny shoes, and this season’s chunky metallic loafers are the ultimate statement footwear. Inspired by brands like Prada and Bally, next-level loafers in gold, silver and bronze shades are a key officecore piece. Oliver Bonas Crackled Copper Leather Loafer Shoes, £89.50 River Island Silver Chain Detail Loafers, £25 Dune London Gradual Loafers in Silver, £110, Debenhams
2023-08-31 15:23

Sickle Cell Awareness Month: What is sickle cell disease and how do you know if you have it?
Almost 300 babies are born in the UK with sickle cells every year, according to the Sickle Cell Society, and the effects of sickle cell disease are believed to impact thousands. Yet, many people may not even know what sickle cells are or what living with the condition means. What is sickle cell disease? In most people, red blood cells are disc shaped and move easily through the blood vessels. But if you have sickle cell disease, your red blood cells are shaped like a sickle (similar to a crescent moon). This stops them moving with ease through the body and blood flow becomes restricted. Sickle cell disease isn’t actually one specific disease – it refers to a group of conditions affecting people with sickle cells, which range in severity.The conditions are inherited and predominantly affect people from African and Caribbean family backgrounds. What are the symptoms of sickle cell disease? Symptoms begin early in childhood and can sometimes be debilitating. How each individual is affected may vary, but the main symptoms are anaemia, an increased risk of infections, and pain. This includes extremely painful episodes called ‘sickle cell crisis’, which happens when blood flow to certain parts of the body become blocked. According to the NHS, these episodes can last for days and require hospitalisation. Other issues are associated with the condition too, including problems with the lungs, delayed growth in childhood, higher risk of stroke, leg ulcers and sight/vision problems.How is it diagnosed? Sickle cell disease is usually picked up during pregnancy or shortly after birth, although a blood test can be given at any time to see if someone has the condition or carries sickle cell genes. In parts of the country, pregnant people will be offered a test to see what the chances are of their child having sickle cells. Infants can be checked for the cells through a heel prick test.How do you treat it? Treating sickle cell disease is usually a lifelong process to help people with pain and to stay as healthy as possible. Treatment takes place in specific sickle cell centres and those living with it are encouraged to take care of their health, no matter the severity of their symptoms. Managing pain is a huge part of treating sickle cell disease. Staying hydrated can be helpful, as well as avoiding sudden temperature changes, like getting into a cold shower or diving into water. According to the NHS, Hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) may be recommended, which is taken as a pill once a day. This can lower the quantity of other blood cells and requires careful monitoring, however. Some people may also be able to have a medicine called crizanlizumab, either on its own or alongside hydroxycarbamide, usually injected into a vein every four weeks. To prevent infections, many people with sickle cell disease will take daily antibiotics. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live TikTok has gone wild for adult gymnastics – here’s what you should know Man explains why he swapped veganism for raw meat diet: ‘I feel great’ Rugby star Ugo Monye: Boarding school shaped my career and my personality
2023-08-31 14:49

Still not sold on air fryers? Let these recipes prove their worth
We’re all sick of hearing about them by now, but air fryers are still enjoying “a moment”. They can also really help reduce the time and energy it takes to make a dish, so we’ve teamed up with the culinary geniuses at Sorted and used this piece of magical kit to cook up three dishes that use it in three different ways. From deeply savoury cheesy sausage-stuffed peppers with vibrant spinach pesto, to hearty and comforting potato and sausage hash with a smoky tomato sauce, these recipes not only showcase the versatility and convenience of air fryers, they’re also pretty damn delicious. Not to forget the crispy chicken thighs and tomatoes with lemon, caper and almond couscous, which demonstrates the art of achieving both crispiness and succulence without the oil. Go forth and revolutionise. Cheesy sausage-stuffed peppers with spinach pesto We use red peppers in this recipe, but if you can’t find them, use any colour of bell pepper to your liking. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 3 red bell peppers 4 tbsp olive oil 250g microwave brown rice 120g cream cheese 1 tbsp tomato purée/tomato paste 4 pork sausages 100g cheddar 200g fresh spinach 30g almond flakes 1 clove garlic 15g fresh parsley 1 lemon Method: 1. Preheat the air fryer: preheat the air fryer to 200C. 2. Prep the peppers: cut 3 bell peppers in half lengthways and scoop out all the seeds from their centres. Rub the peppers with 4 tbsp of olive oil on the board and season with salt. 3. Assemble the filling: crumble 250g of cooked brown rice into a large mixing bowl. Add 120g of cream cheese and 1 tbsp of tomato paste, then coarsely grate in 25g of the cheddar - we will use the rest later. Squeeze in the meat from the casings of 4 sausages. 4. Mix it up: season with salt and pepper, then fold everything together, ensuring the sausage meat breaks up and is well dispersed through the mix. 5. Fill the peppers: divide the mix between the oiled pepper cups - there is no need to press and compact the mixture into the peppers. 6. Fry: pop the pepper halves in the draw of the air fryer, filling side up, and cook for 17-20 minutes until golden in places and piping hot throughout. When cut into, the sausage shouldn’t be pink. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait. 7. Get the spinach ready: add 200g of spinach to another mixing bowl and cover with cling film. 8. Cook the spinach: microwave on full power for 3-4 minutes, until darkened and wilted. 9. Assemble the pesto: once the spinach is ready, add 30g of almond flakes, 1 peeled garlic clove and 15g of parsley to the bowl. Coarsely grate in the remaining 75g of cheddar, then finely grate in the zest from 1 lemon, and squeeze in its juice. 10. Blend it up: blitz everything together with a hand blender, until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If you are still waiting for the peppers, now would be a great time to crack on with a bit of washing up. 11. Serve: divide the pesto between plates and spread it out to form discs. Top with 3 pepper halves per portion and tuck in. Potato and sausage hash with smoky tomato sauce This recipe can be vegetarian-ised by using veggie sausages instead! Serves: 2 Ingredients: 600g loose white potatoes 1 red onion 4 pork sausages 4 tbsp olive oil 4 cloves garlic 1 tbsp smoked paprika 400g tinned chopped tomatoes 15g fresh parsley 45g cream cheese Method: 1. Preheat: preheat the air fryer to 200C. 2. Prep the potatoes and onions: Cut 600g of potatoes into bite-sized chunks, then halve, peel and roughly slice 1 red onion. Add the veg to a large mixing bowl. 3. Add the sausage: squeeze the meat from the casings of 4 sausages into the bowl, creating little meatballs as you pinch them off. 4. Oil and toss: toss everything with 2 tbsp of the oil and a generous pinch of salt. Remember to wash your hands after handling raw meat. 5. Fry: tip the oiled potatoes, onions, and sausage balls in the draw of the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes, until golden in places and the potatoes are soft throughout. Give everything a toss halfway through cooking to ensure an even colouring. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait. 6. Prep the garlic: peel and mince 4 cloves of garlic. Add them to a medium saucepan along with the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil. 7. Fry: place the pan over a medium heat and slowly fry for 2-3 minutes, until the garlic starts to colour. 8. Add the paprika: add 1 tbsp of smoked paprika and fry for a further 20-30 seconds, until very fragrant. 9. Add the tomatoes: add 1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes to the pan along with a generous pinch of salt. 10. Simmer down: simmer for 6-8 minutes, until reduced by S. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait. 11. Chop the parsley: finely chop 15g of parsley, then crack on with a bit of washing up while you wait for the sauce. 12. Blend: once the tomatoes have reduced by S, add 45g of cream cheese and blitz until smooth with a hand blender. 13. Serve: divide the sauce between plates and top with the fried potato, onion, and sausage. Scatter over the chopped parsley and serve. Air fryer crispy chicken thighs and tomatoes with lemon, caper and almond couscous If you aren’t into capers, you can leave them out or replace them with green olives. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on 200g cherry tomatoes 3 tbsp olive oil 150g couscous 2 tbsp capers 20g almond flakes 1 lemon Method: 1. Preheat: preheat the air fryer to 200C. Fill the kettle with water and put it on to boil - this will be for the couscous later. 2. Oil and season: add 4 chicken thighs to a large mixing bowl along with 200g of tomatoes. Toss with 2 tbsp of the olive oil and a generous pinch of salt, ensure everything is fully coated. 3. Get ready to cook: add the tomatoes and chicken to the tray of the air fryer. Ensure the chicken thighs are positioned on top of the tomatoes, skin-side up. 4. Cook: cook for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken’s skin is crispy and the tomatoes are soft and jammy. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait. 5. Assemble the couscous: add 100g of couscous, 2 tbsp of capers, 15g of the almond flakes, the remaining 1 tbsp of oil and a generous pinch of salt to another large mixing bowl. 6. Add the water: add enough boiling water from the kettle to just cover the grains, then give everything a quick stir. 7. Cook the couscous: set aside to cook the couscous for 6-8 minutes, until the grains are soft and have absorbed all the water. Crack on with a bit of washing up while you wait. 8. Finish the couscous: once the couscous is ready, finely grate over the zest from 1 lemon and squeeze in its juice. Fluff the grains with a fork and fold everything together. 9. Serve: divide the couscous between plates and top with the tomatoes and chicken. Scatter over the remaining 5g of almond flakes and serve. Find out more about Sorted and their nifty meal-planning app Sidekick at sortedfood.com/sidekick. Read More The dish that defines me: Evelin Eros’s rum cake ‘It started with a radish’: Chef Simon Rogan reflects on restaurant L’Enclume at 20 The true story – and murky history – of Portuguese piri piri oil ‘My depression stopped me doing what I loved most in life – cooking’ What Bake Off’s Jurgen Krauss really thinks of his shock elimination How to pull off a traditional German babka chocolate braid
2023-08-31 13:45

Some US airports strive to make flying more inclusive for those with dementia
With over 14 million people expected to check into airports nationwide for Labor Day weekend, a number of them inevitably will be travelers with dementia or some sort of cognitive impairment
2023-08-31 12:48

China’s Top Carriers Trim Losses on Domestic Travel Rebound
China’s three largest airline companies reported significantly narrower losses for the first half of 2023 as Beijing’s lifting
2023-08-31 12:47

College students are still struggling with basic math. Professors blame the pandemic
U.S. colleges are searching for solutions as they see alarming numbers of students arrive with gaps in their math skills
2023-08-31 12:46

Travelers hoping to enjoy one last summer fling over Labor Day weekend should expect lots of company
If you're squeezing in one last summer trip over the Labor Day weekend, expects lots of company
2023-08-31 12:24

'RHONJ' star Teresa Giudice slammed for 'incorrect recipe' as she cooks pasta e fagioli with daughter Gia
Teresa Giudice and her daughter Gia also got called out for keeping their hair open in the kitchen while cooking
2023-08-31 10:26

Sogo & Seibu Strike Shuts Tokyo Store Ahead of Seven & I Deal
The flagship Sogo & Seibu Co. store in central Tokyo shut on Thursday as employees went on strike,
2023-08-31 10:25

Bargain Airfares Disappear in India as Rivals Get Squeezed
As India’s airline market transforms into a duopoly, ticket prices that have long known to be dirt-cheap are
2023-08-31 09:21

Qantas Sued for Allegedly Selling Seats on Cancelled Flights
Qantas Airways Ltd. was sued by Australia’s competition watchdog for allegedly selling tickets for thousands of flights it
2023-08-31 08:30

Images of 'wonder and woe' in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition
A home-making mason bee, a motherly possum's midnight munchies and a macaque lying on a deer's back are just some of highly commended images from this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
2023-08-31 07:27