An anniversary honors the commitment. February 14 honors the spark. If you’re doing dinner, staying in, ordering takeout, or simply sitting on the couch in sweatpants, here are a few last-minute touches that add glow without turning the day into a retail marathon or an argument about effort. I have long believed Valentine’s Day is...

I interviewed polar explorer and scientist Felicity Aston seven years ago. It was an unforgettable interview (for many readers, too, I know!). Last weekend, when the mayor announced that NYC was colder than parts of Antarctica, I immediately thought of Felicity’s incredible stories and winter skin recs. These days, Felicity lives with her family on...

We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. For years, fragrance felt performative. A way to signal something: femininity, masculinity, seduction, power. But that script is loosening. More and more, we’re reaching for scents that feel intimate instead of impressive. Fragrances that don’t ask us...

How’s your winter going? This season has been cold and intense, so we asked readers on Instagram how they’re keeping up their spirits, and hundreds of replies came rolling in. Here, 11 readers share great ideas for staying upbeat… Above: “I’m a teacher in Minneapolis. During these months of ICE operations, we are hugging and...

Did you know you can brûlée, like, anything? I always forget brûléeing is an option, because it’s one of those fancy cooking processes that’s too much fuss for home cooking. The thing is? It’s really not. All you need is a broiler and the courage to turn it on. (I suppose you might also need...

We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. Romantic books have become one of the most powerful forces in modern storytelling. And if Netflix’s adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation is any indication, we might be headed for a rom-com movie renaissance next, which...

This week only, we’re offering 20% off annual subscriptions to Big Salad, our weekly newsletter (and the #1 fashion/beauty publication on Substack). For $4/month, you will get every issue for a year — packed with fun finds, life realizations, and essays on sex, dating, love, marriage, divorce, parenting, and friendship — plus access to our deep...

🍫 Real talk: The best mug of hot chocolate you will ever have is not hiding in a packet. It is sitting in your pantry right now, waiting to be made with real chocolate, warm milk, and about 10 minutes of your time. Made from scratch, hot chocolate is thicker, richer, and tastes like actual...

“My dad got diagnosed on Tuesday, and I’m scared.” My friend’s text comes in the middle of the night. I sit on the toilet at 3 a.m., considering how to welcome her to the most awful club. My own mother was diagnosed with dementia a few weeks into COVID, shortly after my husband and I...

For me, Valentine’s has always meant chocolate. When I was single, my mom would mail me beautiful chocolate bars every February so I’d always have a Valentine (hi, love language). When Adam and I first started dating, he confessed that his favorite dessert on the planet was chocolate soufflé—so naturally, I spent weeks perfecting mine...