Lifestyle

10 things you need to know before moving to the countryside

Thinking of swapping urban for rural? Here are some invaluable tips...

The 5 surprising interiors trends Netflix’s Bridgerton is bringing back - are you a fan?

Hit series Bridgerton is backdropped by stunning interiors, with a muted colour palette on the inside, and deep purple wisteria on the outside

Stardust costume designer interview: The difficulty with dressing David Bowie

In the final scene of Stardust, Gabriel Range’s new David Bowie biopic, we are finally granted a glimpse of the moment the trailer promised us: Ziggy Stardust on stage in all his full glam rock glory. With the unmistakable choppy flame-hued mullet and electric blue Kansai Yamamoto-inspired cape, Johnny Flynn, who plays the musician, has transformed into Bowie the icon. Stardust was made without the approval of Bowie’s estate and as a result, is...

These foods should never be stored in your fridge

As we're cooking more at home, you may have extra groceries in the house. These are the ones that shouldn't go in the fridge.

How to talk about your sex life with your partner

Trouble in paradise? Going through a dry patch? When you’re having problems with your sex life, your partner should be the first person you turn to. However, speaking honestly and openly about what’s going wrong is easier said than done. So, how do you broach that conversation without it being tense and, frankly, awkward? Here’s what you need to know.

Eddie Izzard clarifies personal feelings on gender fluidity

Comedian feels "very honoured to have 'she' and 'her' pronouns".

This Virtual Library Is Offering Free Books During Lockdown

A new virtual library will offer children in England free books during the latest lockdown. The virtual library has been created by The National Literacy Trust in collaboration with Oak National Academy, a government-backed virtual school. A new book will be uploaded to the virtual library each week, beginning with Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s The Story of Tracy Beaker, which will be added on 17th January. Wilson said: “I think it’s vitally...

New inventions the world needs right now

Here are some innovations the planet could really do with right now.

Prince Harry 'deeply unhappy' as royal but split caused 'hurt on all sides', says Tom Bradby

ITV newsreader Tom Bradby says he saw the 'depths' of Prince Harry's unhappiness on his 2019 tour of Africa with Meghan Markle and called their split from royals 'incredibly painful'

Dianne Buswell looks unrecognisable with jet black hair

Strictly's Dianne Buswell models jet black hair in a new Instagram photo. See her hair transformation...

Home schooling just adds up to more work for mums

Sunday Mail's Lorna Hughes, like many parents, is marking the end of week one of 'homeschooling hell'.

How to grow plants using hydroponics

Hydroponics is one of those techniques for growing that really seems to capture our imagination, particularly with the slew of CGI images of futuristic vertical farms set atop skyscrapers that flood social media these days. Yet you don’t have to have an engineering degree or a glass-covered penthouse to try this out for yourself. So here’s my beginners’ guide to home hydroponics. Hydroponics can be as simple or complicated as you want, but at...

Dafni Allure review: the portable hair straightener that fits in your handbag

We put the Dafni Allure cordless hair straightening brush to the test – how well does this compact, wire-free hair tool perform?

Unseen video shows Princess Diana in hysterics at Prince Charles

The sweet clip was recorded during a trip to Australia

Laurence Fox provokes anger with 'mask exemption' badge bought online

Laurence Fox has provoked another angry reaction to his coronavirus pandemic behaviour, this time by showing off a mask exemption badge he bought online. The Lewis actor posted a selfie on Twitter with him wearing the mask exemption lanyard, which claimed “I am exempt from wearing a face covering”. He tweeted: “After a long period of consultation with myself, an extended review period and proper due diligence conducted with myself, I’ve received...

8 skincare secrets Thandie Newton swears by

The actress is a complexion pro

Shopper's chopping board storage hack using a budget buy from Kmart

An Australian shopper has found the perfect alternative solution for storing multiple chopping boards neatly in her kitchen.

IKEA launch 3 new home and furniture collections for spring 2021 — and we love them

They are all about sustainability and timeless style...

Brands must aim higher to take Everton to next level, 6 ft 3 beast isn't good enough – opinion

Marcel Brands would be barking up entirely the wrong tree at Everton if he were to pursue a January transfer for Galatasaray defender Christian Luyindama.

Food review: Scotland Meets Sardinia Supperclub, Edinburgh

Bring the sunshine of Sardinia into your kitchen with Scotland Meets Sardinian Supperclub

Furloughed Michelin trained chef who works for Heston Blumenthal launches Llandudno takeaway service

Nick Rudge who works for famous The Fat Duck restaurant is bringing his culinary skills back home for lockdown

Dessert store unveils honey-filled doughnut with white chocolate glaze

An Australian dessert brand has unveiled an indulgent honey-filled doughnut - complete with oozing citrus white chocolate glaze and a honeycomb shard.

Stacey Dooley reveals she 'underestimated' Strictly fame as she unveils new fringe

She was one of the lesser-known participants in the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing – but when Stacey Dooley was crowned winner, her fame soared. And not least because of her blossoming romance with three-times-married pro dance partner Kevin Clifton, which followed shortly after she split with her long-term personal trainer boyfriend Sam Tucknott. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph’s Stella magazine, the presenter, 33, admitted that...

Erin Molan hints that she's secretly married her fiancé Sean Ogilvy

Erin Molan's appearance on a British breakfast show has left fans wondering if she has secretly married her fiancé Sean Ogilvy.

Dancing on Ice: What time does it start tonight and how can I watch?

Dancing on Ice returns to our screens later this month, providing a much-needed antidote to our January blues. ITV’s long-running competition series is back for its 13th series, with 12 new celebrities hoping to progress from wobbly legged Bambis to graceful skaters, all while impressing the judges in the process. While the introduction of yet another national lockdowns across the UK this week led fans to question whether the show would be able...

Charlotte and Gaz after Geordie Shore: see how they live now

Chris Ware owner of Ware-House fitness gym in Cwmdu

Chris Ware owner of Ware-House fitness gym in Cwmdu

Sarnie carnage as lunches confiscated at borders - what's now banned for EU trips

A Marmite sandwich might be allowed, as long as it's made with margarine, but the list of items you can't take with you to Europe just rocketed. Consumer expert Martyn James explains all

The days, and list of garden chores, are short

In the Danish winter garden, the only seed is bird feed. A fat pheasant, alert but unconcerned, puffs her exquisite feathers and feasts on sunflower seed. Later, she takes a stately stroll past the floor-length windows, a catwalk exercise in elegance. She will soon be joined by her gaudier but dimmer mate, who will endlessly pose on his favoured stumps. I crush grain-studded fat balls for where they walk. The bird-feeders are alive. Clouds of...

Rebel Wilson wows with gorgeous sunbathing photos inside garden in LA

Rebel Wilson took to Instagram to share some stunning photos of herself sunbathing inside her garden in LA

Women who have sons 'are more likely to be victims of domestic abuse'

Scots academics found mothers with male children had a 20 per cent higher chance of being assaulted by their partners than mums who had daughters.

Northern Territory national parks Litchfield and Nitmiluk to charge fees for tourists

The cash-strapped NT Government has confirmed park fees will be on the cards for interstate and international tourists, as one of its budget repair measures.

Reese Witherspoon shares photos of her favorite spot inside her home

Reese Witherspoon has been spending more time at home like the rest of us, but fans were treated to a glimpse at the coziest...

My family’s Covid start to 2021 proves things can only get better

The boy was the first to be sick. He greeted Wednesday evening with a confetti spray of vomit that should have set off alarm bells. In fairness, it did – a torrent of toddler sick is never exactly taken in stride – but we presumed it was nothing more than a little bug, even though we knew its other, equally likely cause. Following a day of changing his nappies, sheets and pyjamas, I realised I didn’t feel too clever myself. I spent Thursday...

Plantea Estudio casts minimalist Madrid restaurant in shades of beige

Spanish firm Plantea Estudio has layered "light and warm" materials such as plywood and chipboard to create the interior of this Madrid street food restaurant. Called Zuppa, the eaterie is located on one of the city centre's main streets, the Calle de Atocha, and occupies a commercial space that was previously home to an Indian takeaway. The post Plantea Estudio casts minimalist Madrid restaurant in shades of beige appeared first on Dezeen.

Observer sudoku

Click here to access the print version. Fill the grid using the numbers 1 to 9. Each number must appear just once in every row, column and 3x3 box. Buy next week’s Observer Digital Edition to see the completed puzzle.

Chicken owners reveal some of the inventive pen designs

Chicken owners from around the world have shared the inventive coops they've designed for their feathered friends, from a spaceship to a lavish castle with a turret.

HOROSCOPES: Intimate encounters and a well-deserved break. The week ahead according to your star sign.

Natasha Weber is an astrology genius and has predicted our horoscopes for the week beginning January 17. For more from Natasha follow her on Instagram and Facebook.Reevaluate your self-worth, Aries. Once you do, you’ll be surprised at how others follow your lead. Self-confidence isn’t usually a challenge for you. Still, you’re only human, and lately, self-doubt has crept in through the ... Continued

The world's most incredible homes will blow your mind

When it comes to pushing the boundaries, these homes tick all the boxes. From coastal homes to mountain retreats, these award-winning properties are among the most extraordinary in the world.

Nathan Lyon's girlfriend Emma McCarthy flashes a ring on THAT finger

Cricketer Nathan Lyon appears to have proposed to girlfriend Emma McCarthy.

New form leaves 4.6m homes in mortgage limbo

Millions of homeowners are trapped, prevented from selling their properties through no fault of their own.

12 Luxurious Silk Bedding Buys to Drift Off On, Starting at £35

Snuggle up in luxury for lockdown 3.0

Creative ways to repurpose mismatched socks

The mystery of missing socks is a reality for most of us. They're probably swallowed by the washing machine, or the dryer, or maybe they just go into another dimension where socks live–who knows? But fear not: maybe the disappearance of socks is just a way of the universe telling us to be more creative. The truth is that you can actually reuse mismatched socks in many different ways, and in this gallery we'll show you how. Browse through and find out how you can repurpose mismatched socks.

Kate Middleton’s best looks of 2020

Fabulous tourist attractions that no longer exist

The world is jam-packed with more adventures and opportunities for explorers than ever before. But, as the following pictures prove, there are some experiences that money can’t buy ever again – namely a glimpse of the travel hot spots from yesteryear that have now disappeared off the map. Whether because of nature, mankind’s unthinking actions or climate change, we'll sadly never get to visit these former big-hitter attractions.

What goes into the ultimate picnic basket?

Whether you're banqueting on the beach or munching in a meadow, feasting in fine weather requires a bit of thought and lots of imagination. Still not sure what to prepare? Click through this gallery for a detailed menu plan.

Writer looks back on dramatic '90s trip with storm, insects and feisty fruit

Tonsillitis, terrifying tempests, invasions by insects and a tour firm collapse all featured on a wild, weird and wonderfully memorable family week in North Africa

Johan Sundberg Arkitektur completes brick house in a Swedish forest

Dark bricks cover this house on the southern tip of Sweden, which Lund-based studio Johan Sundberg Arkitektur arranged around a lush courtyard and swimming pool. Architect Johan Sundberg's office designed Villa Tennisvägen for a site nestled within the Ljungskogen ​pine forest in Sweden's southernmost county, Skåne. The house for a couple and their two children The post Johan Sundberg Arkitektur completes brick house in a Swedish forest appeared...

Bodycare products: 10 of the best

Aside from Ameliorate launching products to treat keratosis pilaris (the rough bumpy skin that resembles a plucked chicken), body care hasn’t been particularly innovative. Yes, there are oils that smell so good they double up as scents; there are moisturisers that penetrate your skin, as opposed to lazily languishing on the surface; body washes that don’t dry and irritate… But proper innovative formulas using active ingredients? Pah. But that’s...

Naomi Campbell reveals how she stays fit at 50 by sharing full home workout video

She may be 50 years old – but Naomi Campbell has proven she’s far fitter than most half her age. The supermodel has surprised fans by sharing her full home workout routine in a post on Instagram. Speaking directly to the camera from inside a well-equipped gym, the star – who is currently staying in Kenya – says: “Good morning! Rise and shine! Let’s work out!” She then begins her exercise session with a warm-up, featuring high knees and high...