12 Favorites I Discovered and Purchased in September: From Non-Toxic Frying Pans to Letterbox Cheese | Life and Style

WThe temperatures are plummeting, and we all crave a bit more comfort. For some, it’s about getting a plush bed with a fresh memory foam mattress topper or an ergonomic office chair. For others, it’s a chic waterproof hooded scarf to style your wet hair, or a hair dryer that’s ready to return to action.


And for some of you, that might just mean a fringe party skirt and a cheese box arriving in the mail. Who are we to judge? These are your top picks for the month.


Sleep Improvement Masks

My Halos Eye Mask

£14.99 at MyHalos
£9.99 on Amazon

When Jane Hoskin, an insomnia sufferer and filter reviewer, experimented with the best (and odd) sleep aids, she didn’t expect a simple sub-£10 eye mask to afford her a solid 9-hour slumber. “The best masks truly obstruct all light without feeling flat or too tight on your eyes,” she shares, calling MyHalos her “ideal match.”


Bargain Beauty Calendar

W7 Advent Calendar

£19.95 at W7
£19.95 on Amazon

If you’re astonished to find an advent calendar among your favorite products for September, it seems the beauty advent calendar craze has evaded you. People shell out extensively for a selection of these products, which promise significant savings on their contents. Your top choice is, unsurprisingly, the “shockingly affordable” W7 calendar. Reviewer Sarah Matthews noted that the included items “stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the industry’s finest,” albeit they are mostly miniatures.


Office Chair Upgrade

Slouching Task 1

£289 on Slouch

If you’re still working from home on a dining chair, it’s time for a change. Your work chair needs to be as supportive and comfy as your most-used pieces of furniture, like your mattress.

Reviewer Stuart Andrews spends extended hours at his desk, and he was the right person to evaluate the best office chairs. The Slouching Task 1 emerged as his top choice, providing him “everything you desire from a work chair.”


Eco-Friendly Scourers

Non-Kilo Scourers

£13.47 on eBay
£3.75 on Amazon

Cotton scourers serve as an excellent way to cut down on plastic waste in your kitchen. “These are amazing for cleaning,” says Maggie, a filter reader and Sustainable Swaps guide. “They’re not packed with food like typical sponge scourers, and I toss them in the wash weekly to keep them fresh.”


Chic Rain Cover

Waterproof Hooded Scarf

£39.15 on Etsy

Looking stylish in the rain can be challenging. However, our fashion writer, Charlotte Gornoll, has crafted the ultimate guide to staying fashionable in wet weather. Your top styling tip was this waterproof hooded scarf. “If your jacket lacks a hood, why not complement it?” Charlotte suggested, likening it to “the late Queen Elizabeth’s stylish touch.”


Letterbox Cheese Board

Perfect British Cheese Board

£10 at Butlers

Of all the gifts that fit through a letterbox, is there anything better than a quality cheese board? A standout from our guide features three exquisite cheeses (Blacksticks Blue, Button Mill, Sunday Best) accompanied by track-reading figure relish and Peter’s yard crackers.


Top Budget Hair Dryer

Babyliss Hydro-Fusion

£60 on Look Fantastic
£31.99 on Amazon

“In my years of reviewing beauty products, upgrading my hair dryer brought the most significant change to my routine,” stated Sarah Matthews in his guide to the finest hair dryers. “Modern hair dryers have changed the game.” Sarah’s favored budget option, Babyliss Hydro Fusion, is “sturdy and powerful,” and is currently priced at £31.99 on Amazon.


Mattress Toppers

Panda Bamboo Topper, Double

£139.95 for Panda

“A mattress topper is like the cheese slice on a burger,” wrote reviewer Jane Hoskin. “While not essential, it can be a game changer, particularly if your mattress feels worn out.” Jane found the Panda bamboo topper to be the coolest option in her mattress topper tests despite being memory foam based. Clearly, many of you were drawn to the idea of “not feeling your restless partner’s movements.”


Party Skirt

Fringe Detail Mini

£50 on M&S

“This M&S skirt is an absolute winner,” noted Jess Cartner Morley in the style essentials for September. “I mean, look at it. All the tassels, perfectly cheeky (short but not too short), in chic off-white colors.” Clearly, many shared this sentiment, as this stylish party skirt emerged as a favorite.


Quick Clothing Steamer

Russell Hobbs Steam Genie

£28 at John Lewis

“I determined to be an ironed-clothes kind of woman,” writes Kate McCusker in the Green to the Grand Style Guide for All Ages. “Yet, I’m still waiting for that transformation, so I rely on this steamer in the morning to prevent my clothes from looking like I just rolled out of bed.” It appears many filter readers are still on that journey.


Ceramic Frying Pan

Procook Elite Tri-Ply

£48 on Procook

Trendy kitchen gadgets come and go, yet a dependable frying pan remains an essential kitchen item. We look for durability, easy cleaning, and hopefully no harmful chemical coatings. Is that too much to wish for? Dale Berning Sawa examined twelve premier frying pans under rigorous conditions. Your top pick was this Procook ceramic frying pan, praised for its impressive quality and reasonable price.


MP3 Player – Seriously

Snowsky Echo Mini

£66.99 on eBay

If you thought you’d stepped into a time machine upon seeing the advent calendar, wait until you come across an MP3 player (especially one with a cassette tape design). Yet, digital audio players are staging a comeback, appealing to those who want to unplug from streaming services while taking control of their music. This economical pick from the sub-brand Snowsky offers a “nostalgic vibe” while Alan Martin noted in his review, “delivers a much richer sound compared to other budget gadgets I’ve tested.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Top New Sci-Fi Novels of September 2025 Featuring Cixin Liu and John Scalzi

In Mason Coyle’s exile, a human crew arrives on Mars

Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff

This month brings new releases from renowned authors like Cixin Liu, Stephen Baxter, and John Scalzi. I’m particularly interested in Ian McEwan’s journey into a submerged world of 2119 in Salt Crop. The tale chronicles the downfall of Mason Coil within a fledgling Martian colony, while also capturing my attention is the time-travel noir from the talented Nicholas Binge.

This month, I’m taking a classic route in the New Scientist Book Club with Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1974 masterpiece, The Dispossessed. Join us in reading and see how it stands against today’s best science fiction. But let’s not forget about September 2025…

Literary authors are turning to sci-fi—this isn’t unprecedented (who could forget the 2010s’ Solar?). In his latest, we’re taken back to 2014, reflecting on great poems never to be heard again. Fast-forward to 2119, as lowland Britain finds itself submerged. Scholar Tom Metcalfe delves into early 21st century archives, uncovering the myriad opportunities of the past. He discovers a clue that might lead to “the great lost poem”…

For fans of The Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu presents a collection of short stories exploring first contact, artificial intelligence, and cosmic dread. With 32 stories included, expect explorations of devoured planets and interstellar crafts.

Three Body Problem adaptation in 2024

Ed Miller/Netflix

The hearth serves as the “celestial birthplace” of countless planets, where humanity has flourished for millennia. As an unknown foe covets the wealth of this realm, Commander Ula Breen strategizes to unite diverse forces and retaliate. Will she uncover humanity’s original purpose for coming here?

In a future where coastal cities are submerged and oceans teem with mutated fish, we follow Sailor Skipper, the youngest of three sisters who make a life by collecting and selling ocean plastic. When she receives a mysterious call for help from her oldest sister, Nora, who seeks a remedy for failing crops, she and another sister, Carmen, embark on a perilous journey across the sea. Kitasei, the author of Deep Sky and Stardust Grey, delivers an astonishing tale.

In a time-travel murder investigation, detective Julia Togrimsen (what a name!) returns from retirement to solve the case of a billionaire she once infiltrated. However, she discovers two bodies—both belonging to billionaire Bruno Donaldson. We loved Binge’s previous sci-fi thriller, Dissolution, and anticipate this next offering.

This marks Scalzi’s seventh installment in the Old Man’s War series. After a decade of peace in interstellar space, humanity faces the threat of war from the most advanced alien species yet. Caught in the tumult, bureaucrat Gretchen Trujillo receives a covert mission that could reshape the future for both humans and aliens.

Exile by Mason Coil

I am captivated by the cover and premise of this new novel from the late author of William (which I enjoyed). Set in 2030, this tale reveals a human crew preparing the first Martian colony, only to discover a half-destroyed base. They must question three robots dispatched four years earlier, one of which is still missing…

In a desolate lab in the desert, Kinsey and her team unearth bizarre specimens in the sand. Breaking quarantine to bring one inside, they soon realize it seeks a new host.

This intriguing blend of horror, science fiction, and fantasy captures my attention. Set against a backdrop of ecological dread, Kinsey excavates two ancient bodies found in Somerset Fen, while also exploring “her own wildness,” alongside archaebotanist Nell.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Get Ready for the Stunning Harvest Blood Moon on September 7th!

3ABDR5N Total Lunar Eclipse, blood moon with tree silhouette in Pennsylvania, USA

“Find the moon and watch it darken and redden…”

JG Photo/Alamy

My perspective on the moon has changed in the past year, especially since I gave birth during the harvest month, coinciding with the full moon.

In those early months with my son, time felt peculiar. The boundary between day and night blurred. Yet, the lunar cycle marked the passage of time. Each full moon signified that another 29.5 days had gone by and reminded me that my son was growing month by month.

<p>The upcoming full moon will carry special significance, as it coincides with a total lunar eclipse on September 7th, 2025.</p>
<p>This spectacular event will be visible to many around the globe, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. In my location in the UK, the moon will emerge from below the horizon around 20 minutes later, at approximately 7:30 PM, and will remain visible until the eclipse concludes.</p>
<p>As I mentioned, the full moon occurs every 29.5 days. During this phase, our planet is positioned between the sun and the moon, allowing the moon to fully reflect sunlight towards us.</p>
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<p>However, because the moon's orbit is slightly tilted relative to Earth's orbit around the sun, these celestial bodies don’t always align perfectly (a phenomenon known as Syzygy).</p>
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<p>When syzygy happens during the new moon, a solar eclipse occurs. Conversely, if it happens during the full moon, we witness a total lunar eclipse.</p>
<p>During this event, the moon will enter Earth's shadow, which is why it appears dark and red. The only light that reaches the moon's surface and is reflected back to us has passed through Earth's atmosphere, scattering most wavelengths except for the reds.</p>
<p>To discover the best times to view the lunar eclipse and what you can see from your location, check out the <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2025-september-7">Interactive Solar Eclipse Map</a>.</p>

<p>Unlike solar eclipses, no special equipment is necessary for viewing the lunar eclipse—just a clear sky. Once you know when to look, find the moon and watch it transition to a dark, red hue (as shown in the photo). If you're in the UK, you’ll find the moon positioned on the eastern horizon, so make sure to find a spot with a clear view to the east.</p>
<p>This full moon, occurring just before the autumn equinox, is often referred to as the harvest blood moon due to the reddish color it takes on during the eclipse.</p>
<p>I’m not certain how old he has to be to appreciate it, but I plan to take my son outside to witness this beautiful lunar sight that coincides with his birth in the harvest month.</p>
<p><em>Abigail Beall is the editor of New Scientist and the author of *Art of Urban Astronomy*. Follow her @abbybeall</em></p>
<p>For more projects, please visit newscientist.com/maker</p>
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Source: www.newscientist.com

Monthly Futures Spread Trading Volume on OKX Liquid Marketplace Skyrockets to Record-High $1.54 Billion, Surpassing September Performance

OKX a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 technology company, today announced: futures spread trading volume Moreover liquid marketplace, a spot OTC, futures spread and options liquidity network, reached a monthly high of USD 1.54 billion in September 2023. This achievement is 62%* Institutional market share of futures spreads for the current month.

From July 2023 onwards launch OKX Accumulation of Nitro Spread, a venue for institutional investors to execute basis, futures spread, and funding rate arbitrage strategies under OKX’s Liquid Marketplace futures spread amount It led the market from August 28, 2023 to October 11, 2023.

OKX futures spread volume was also strong on the “high watermark” volume days, with OKX futures spread notional volume increasing four times within the date range (September 12th, September 19th). , September 28, and October 10) crossed the 100 million USDT mark. 2023).

These volume milestones solidify OKX’s position liquid marketplace The go-to place for institutional investors looking to take advantage of superior liquidity in a wide range of trades including futures spreads, spot OTC basis, options and more.

OKX Chief Commercial Officer Lennix Lai said: “The latest futures spread volume figures confirm that the OKX Liquid Marketplace is a diverse ecosystem of counterparties pursuing a variety of trading strategies, making it the trading venue of choice for institutional traders. We have worked hard to develop the products, liquidity, and intuitive trading features that traders demand in a highly competitive market environment. We will adapt it to the needs of customers and further expand our customer base.”

Since its launch in July 2023, OKX has announced on October 6th nitro spread Cumulative trading volume exceeded 2 billion USDT.

Nitro Spreads is a place for institutional investors to execute advanced strategies and efficiently drive delta rolls on OKX’s liquid marketplace. Nitro spreads allow both legs of a trade to be executed through a central order book, minimizing leg risk between markets and providing increased capital efficiency for institutional traders. Traders can also select a guaranteed spread for a trade before execution to reduce unexpected price slippage. The transaction is then matched and settled immediately.

*sauce: Lavitas

OKX is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and innovative Web3 company. Trusted by over 50 million users worldwide, OKX is known as the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for traders around the world.

As a top partner for English Premier League champions Manchester City FC, McLaren F1, Olympian Scotty James and Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, OKX aims to enhance the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also a top partner of the Tribeca His Festival as part of its efforts to bring more creators to his Web3.

OKX Wallet is the platform’s newest offering for those who want to explore the world of NFTs and the Metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens.

OKX is committed to transparency and security, and we publish the evidence every month.

To learn more about OKX, download the app or visit: okx.com

Disclaimer

This announcement is provided for informational purposes only. This is not intended to provide investment, tax, or legal advice, nor should it be considered an offer to buy, sell, hold, or offer any services related to digital assets. Digital assets, including stablecoins, involve a high degree of risk, can be highly volatile, and may even become worthless. Leveraged trading of digital assets magnifies both your potential profits and potential losses and can result in a loss of your entire investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you, especially if you are considering the use of leverage. You are solely responsible for your trading strategies and

Source: the-blockchain.com