lifestyle
-
Just in time for Valentine's DayOn New Year’s Eve, I found myself lying half naked on the frozen Mississippi river in a dog park. Share your stories of failed romance in the comments
-
-
What happens in your brain when you fall in love?Science suggests there’s more to romance than a Valentine’s card would have you believe. So, what’s dopamine got to do with it? -
I have a bone to pick with the top 10The French bulldog is about to become the top breed in Britain, outrunning the overrated labrador, cocker and springer spaniel, and German shepherd. But for me, there will only ever be one top dog
-
-
regulars
-
What I'm really thinkingWhat I'm really thinkingWhat I’m really thinking: the firing managerI hired and trained you. I nurtured and developed you. But now I have to tell you your position is being eliminated
talking points
-
How to dump someone on Valentine's Day – or any day – without being a jerkSome analysts say 14 February is a peak moment for breakups – so I asked people about how they would like to be broken up with, for a change
-
How to combine work and motherhood: do them one at a timeWith people increasingly expected to live into their hundreds, more and more entrepreneurs are starting businesses in their 60s and 70s
-
The Salt Room, BrightonRestaurants tacked on to hotel chains can be a mixed blessing, but this fishy Brighton diner is a great catch, says Jay Rayner
-
The parents who regret having childrenIt’s tiring, often boring – and can mean a return to more traditional roles. Why some mothers (and fathers) feel they made a mistake
close encounters
recipe of the day
-
Recipes for Valentine’s DayEschew the elaborate cliches and keep Valentine’s Day a straightforward – but delicious, and plentiful – affair with spaghetti and squash ‘meatballs’ and chocolate pots
pictures & video
-
Backstage at her autumn/winter 2017 showVanity case bags, British heritage fabrics and masculine tailoring – Victoria Beckham conveys a confident, powerful woman
-
A yellow dressThe yellow dress is to the millennials of our uncertain times what red lipstick was to the women of the Blitz
-
Five ways to wear... paper-bag waist trousersThe scrunched paper-bag-look waist is the trouser of the season – and this oversized khaki pair by Mango oozes utilitarian chic. Style with a ruffle-sleeved T-shirt for elegance, with denim for a casual look or with high heels for the evening, writes Jo Jones
-
Mismatched underwear and how to wear itAs demonstrated by Beyoncé’s Instagram , mismatched underwear is the acceptable way to do Valentine’s lingerie. Here are 10 combinations
-
-
advice
-
Private livesPrivate livesMy nine-year-old step-daughter has become a monster and her mother seems scared of herThe girl is verbally and physically abusive to both of us – and acuses me of being a paedophile. I now dread going home and wonder about moving out
-
Dr Dillner’s dilemmasDr Dillner’s dilemmasHow much screen time should I let my teenager have?A new study says that up to six hours a day is perfectly normal, and unlikely to do any harm – as long as your child is doing fine at school and getting enough exercise
-
Dear MariellaDear MariellaMy teen daughter is refusing a family trip with my partnerA woman is struggling to get her daughter to be more positive about her partner. Mariella Frostrup advises her not to foist a new family on the teenager
-
Sexual healingSexual healingI've always felt too much guilt to enjoy sex – and now I've got no libido eitherAt last, I’ve met someone I would like to enjoy life with. But, thanks to my Catholic upbringing, I’ve always had problems with sex, and now I’m perimenopausal
-
Problem solvedProblem solvedI’ve fallen for a man who has lost his wife but he no longer wants to see meAfter three months together, he suddenly called it off saying that he wasn’t ready to move on. I’m devastated – what should I do? Annalisa Barbieri advises a reader
-
Ask AlysAsk AlysAsk Alys Fowler: I want to get rid of concrete slabs and create a gardenOur gardening expert has some excellent advice
people
-
From jewellery to ginStuck for ideas this year? Here are our best picks, from traditional luxury chocolates to something a little more quirky
-
Rich and soothing hand creamsAt this time of year, your hands really are exposed to the elements, so keep one of these luxurious potions in your bag or on your desk, says Eva Wiseman
-
Valentine’s Day often brings out the worst in producers, but this year there are more than a few drinks that won’t make you recoil at their tweeness or sweetnessValentine’s Day tipples that won’t make you cringe with embarrassment
-
My estranged father wants to get in touch, but I don’t want to see himMy parents separated when I was young, and I stopped visiting him when I was 10: he made me feel unwanted. Later, I was told he abused my mum. Annalisa Barbieri advises a reader
puzzles
-
Crossword blogCrossword blogCryptic crosswords for beginners: the Nato alphabetNext in our collection of tips and tricks: watching out for the phonetic alphabet
-
you may have missed
-
This is such a cool islandLast year, the 35-year-old completed a record-breaking triathlon around the coast of Great Britain. He explains why he tackled the challenge – and how he fell in love with the UK’s most extreme locations
-
A GP's guide to stocking your medicine cabinetMost of us have allowed our bathroom cupboards to become cluttered with useless and out-of-date drugs and devices. Here’s what you should have to hand
-
The rise of wearable tech for petsFitness trackers are not just for humans anymore – a growing range of electronic collars and cameras can help you monitor your pet’s location, activity and even emotional state
the big picture
-
Picture of the day: EnduranceLife ultra in South DevonOn Saturday author and Guardian running blog contributor Adharanand Finn took part in his first ultra marathon, the EnduranceLife CTS South Devon. Here he is, 15 miles into the race, which was won by Tom Payn in 4hrs 44 mins. Photograph by Marietta d’Erlanger
From sea to plate How plastic got into our fish