Beyond chocolate, these are the ultimate Advent calendars for maximum holiday excitement

© Danielle Attwater / The Standard
Beyond chocolate, these are the ultimate Advent calendars for maximum holiday excitement

© Danielle Attwater / The Standard
The fashion powerhouses have combined for another tailored, polished and endlessly wearable collection

© The Standard
Ellis Cochrane put dozens of sunrise alarm clocks to the test – but Dreamegg impressed her most

© Ellis Cochrane/The Standard
The covetable folding phone launches today

© David Phelan/The Standard
Tech critic David Phelan has been testing the nearly sold-out Apple iPhone Duo ahead of its launch

© David Phelan/The Standard
After the success of her first footwear collection, Molly-Mae is revisiting the Samba – this time in an understated colourway

© Adidas
Get ready for a spooktacular night with quick and easy last-minute Halloween party ideas. From ghost-themed roses and mini cauldron kettles to creative snack displays, these festive finds will help bring your celebration to life with little effort.
Spooky decorations you can order last minute on Amazon to complete your Halloween setup.
Halloween slime kit toys: $9.89
40 Halloween trick-or-treat goody bags: $4.99
Black spider cocktail toothpicks for appetizers: $8.95
39-piece black spiderweb tablecloth set and bat stickers: $9.99
12-piece mini black cauldron kettles: $7.99
120-piece fake plastic spiders: $6.95
Make the snack table part of the decor.
Packed with meats, cheeses and festive bites, this sweet and savory Halloween charcuterie board arrives ready to serve. Take advantage of free overnight delivery.
READ MORE: Get your yard Halloween-ready with inflatables, skeletons and more, starting at $20
This 5-foot-tall decorative skeleton has many different decor possibilities. Set it up in your yard, take a picture with it in the pumpkin patch or lay it out on a long table to arrange your charcuterie board around it.
Make Halloween entertaining stress free with this limited-edition mummy-shaped brie that arrives ready to bake and cooks in 20 to 25 minutes. It's filled with cranberries, orange, pecans and brown sugar for a sweet and savory bite.
No baking required: Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Halloween dessert board, filled with cookies, candies, chocolates, brownies and plenty of other sweets.
Keep the Halloween vibes going with interactive games and surprises for the whole party.
Practice more than 100 tricks with the ZipString Aracna, which launches and retracts a glowing loop of string that looks like spider webs for superhero-inspired fun. Our managing editor brought these home to her kids, who couldn't stop playing with them.
READ MORE: Gifts for men who say they don't want anything (but really do)
Who says flowers aren't for spooky season? Set the scene with haunting bouquets.
Original price: $94.99
Add to the eerie ambiance with real roses that glow in the dark. The technique used to turn the flowers black makes each bouquet unique.
Get into the Halloween spirit with these orange and white roses. Perfectly on theme, they come printed with an adorable "Boo!" message and a ghost drawing, offering a fun alternative to a traditional bouquet. Enjoy 25% sitewide when you use the code SHOPSALE.
Original price: $94.99
Trade bright blooms for dramatic black roses that fit right in with your haunting decor. Place them all around the room for an instant chilling Halloween vibe.
For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals
Seasonal shopping doesn't stop with Halloween: prepare for Christmas with these early holiday decor deals and gifts for her.

Exclusive: British Chambers of Commerce president calls for overhaul of business rates and greater powers for local leaders
Andy Burnham has been urged by one of his most senior former advisers to tax internet sales more heavily than in-store purchases to help “level the playing field” for struggling high streets.
As the prime minister and his chancellor, John Healey, prepare for their first budget next week, Andy Haldane joined calls for action to stop more shops closing across the UK.
Continue reading...
© Composite: Guardian Design

© Composite: Guardian Design

© Composite: Guardian Design

Mar Yvette
I'll admit it: I love shopping and the thrill of getting something new.
But ever since my husband and I started doing extended stays in Paris and other cities throughout Europe, I've surprised myself with how little I actually need.
We never check luggage because it's such a hassle, so whenever we get home after living out of carry-on suitcases for three months, I'll look around our apartment, open my closet, and think, "Wow, I forgot about most of this stuff."
Even though I'm a lifelong declutterer and keep our space tidy and organized, I've come to realize that getting by with only what fits in a carry-on has changed my definition of "enough."

Mar Yvette
It's kind of ironic that going to Paris, the fashion capital of the world, is where I've ended up with the smallest wardrobe. But as it turns out, having fewer options saves me a lot of mental energy and has made me more creative and intentional about what I wear.
I pack versatile pieces that work together so I can mix and match, rewear the same few pairs of pants, and do laundry every week. Even winter trips, when I have to pack bulkier clothes, have proven that I can get by with much less than I ever thought possible.
I have dozens of sweaters at home since I'm a bit of a collector, but all I really need are just a few Quince cashmere fisherman turtlenecks.

Mar Yvette
I also love jewelry, hats, and sunglasses, and usually have multiple options based on my mood. But being away for months at a time has made me realize that I'm perfectly fine with having just a few accessories to rotate through.
Whenever I get back from one of our trips, I end up editing my closet because I realize there's so much I don't wear. Yes, it's nice to have all my clothes and accessories, but it also gets easier each time to give stuff away to friends, family, neighbors, or donation centers.

Mar Yvette
It's easy to imagine all sorts of scenarios where I might need certain things, especially when traveling. (Should I pack a pair of heels in case we go to an ultra-fancy dinner? Or what if I suddenly need that scarf I haven't worn in five years?)
News flash: I've never needed something I didn't pack. It's a lesson that has made me less likely to shop on impulse.
I still love going on a T.J. Maxx run and filling up a cart while browsing my favorite sites. However, before I make a purchase, I ask myself if it's something I'll genuinely use or just something that I might hypothetically need one day.
If it doesn't pass the reality check, I don't buy it.

Mar Yvette
Because we're on the move so much, being at home feels even more comforting. I love that our space is decorated with objects that spark joy, but over the last few years, I've become less interested in accumulating stuff.
Instead, I find myself appreciating what we already have — from our shelves full of books and framed photos of our family and travels to my houseplants that our wonderful neighbors take care of while we're away.
Funnily enough, though, the more I appreciate the things we own, the less attached I've become to most of them. I don't even feel much of an urge to buy things for our apartment because I know we'll be leaving again soon.

Mar Yvette
Whether it's my wardrobe, household items, or even food, I've realized I don't need endless options. Like, do I really need 12 types of tea in my cupboard at any given moment? Often, I'm fine with just a few bags of my go-to blends.
Traveling with just a carry-on has made me realize that day to day, I tend to stick to my core favorites and don't really need a million choices for everything. I get plenty of variety when I'm out exploring.
At home, I'm happy to keep things simple and enjoy what I already have. That's more than enough for me.
No dia 10 de outubro, a exposição fotográfica “Olhão antes e depois” iniciou o seu percurso por quatro espaços do concelho, convidando a comunidade a descobrir as transformações da cidade através da fotografia.
A mostra coloca lado a lado imagens históricas de Olhão e recriações fotográficas realizadas por jovens olhanenses, num diálogo entre gerações que revela o que mudou e o que permanece na identidade da cidade.
Com curadoria de Luís Torres e integrada nas comemorações do Bicentenário da Câmara Municipal de Olhão, esta iniciativa valoriza o património, a memória coletiva e a criatividade dos jovens do concelho.
A exposição está patente até 13 de novembro, nos Mercados Municipais de Olhão, no Ria Shopping, na Escola Secundária Dr. Francisco Fernandes Lopes e na Casa Municipal da Juventude Hugo Charrão, de acordo com os respetivos horários de funcionamento.
Uma oportunidade para revisitar o passado, olhar o presente e descobrir a história de Olhão através de diferentes gerações.
O conteúdo “Olhão antes e depois”: uma viagem pela memória da cidade aparece primeiro em Sempre à Mão.
VTM
O futuro da mobilidade elétrica está prestes a chegar a Vila Real. De 15 a 18 de outubro, a Carby – Concessionário Volkswagen de Vila Real, promove no Nosso Shopping uma exposição automóvel que terá como principal protagonista o novo Volkswagen ID. Polo, o mais recente utilitário 100% elétrico da marca alemã.
A grande atração será o novo ID. Polo, que transporta a identidade de um dos modelos mais emblemáticos da Volkswagen para uma nova geração de veículos elétricos. Com um design contemporâneo, linhas equilibradas e um habitáculo pensado para o conforto e a funcionalidade, o novo modelo combina dimensões compactas com soluções tecnológicas adaptadas às exigências do quotidiano.
Entre os seus principais argumentos destacam-se uma autonomia anunciada de até 452 quilómetros – dependendo da versão e da bateria – e a possibilidade de carregamento rápido até 105 kW em corrente contínua, permitindo recuperar de 10% a 80% da bateria em cerca de 24 minutos.
Para além do novo ID. Polo, os visitantes poderão conhecer outros modelos da família elétrica Volkswagen, nomeadamente o ID.3 e o ID.7 Tourer, numa exposição que evidencia a diversidade da oferta da marca, desde os automóveis compactos às propostas familiares.

Ao longo dos quatro dias, a equipa comercial da Carby estará disponível para apresentar os diferentes modelos, esclarecer dúvidas sobre a mobilidade elétrica e dar a conhecer as soluções de carregamento, autonomia e utilização no dia a dia.
Os interessados poderão ainda solicitar o agendamento de test drives, a realizar posteriormente no concessionário Carby Volkswagen, em Vila Real, permitindo experimentar a condução elétrica e conhecer melhor as características dos veículos.
De 15 a 18 de outubro, o Nosso Shopping transforma-se, assim, num ponto de encontro com a mobilidade elétrica, numa iniciativa que promete despertar a curiosidade de quem pretende conhecer o novo Volkswagen ID. Polo e descobrir o futuro da gama elétrica da marca.
Com esta ação, a Carby reforça a sua presença em Vila Real e a aposta na proximidade com os automobilistas transmontanos, levando as novidades da Volkswagen para fora do espaço tradicional do concessionário.

The post Carby apresenta o novo Volkswagen ID. Polo no Nosso Shopping appeared first on A Voz de Trás-os-Montes.