Lifestyle - Monday, April 13, 2026

Keepsakes are quaint, but these are the gifts she’ll use every day, from stroller organizers to perfect pajamas The best sleep masks in the US: I spent six weeks testing 24 masks, and these are my favorites Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things When I had my baby, all the usual gifts flowed in: flowers, cards, trinkets with my daughter’s name engraved. I appreciated them all, but as I settled into life as a new mom, what I really craved was the practical equipment that didn’t seem glamorous enough to gift: stroller organizers, backpacks, baby carriers. So take it from someone who has been there recently: more than anything else, the new mom in your life will adore something that helps her and her baby get through the day unscathed. Or that gives her the confidence to survive another day of scrubbing spit-up on no sleep. Or just instills a sigh of relief at the end of a long day. Here are some of the top picks that helped me through, including some I’ve already gifted to fellow new moms. The 15 best tech gifts in the US for moms, as requested by moms The 14 best gifts for US moms in 2025, picked by the only expert that matters – a mom The 15 best gifts in the US for the people who already have everything Continue reading...

You don’t need a yard or balcony to get going. We asked experts for their advice on how to grow your food Maybe it’s because I’ve lived in cities my whole life, but I can’t think of anything more luxurious than popping out to your garden and eating a fresh tomato straight from the vine. How decadent to enjoy its crisp, bright flavor and the smug satisfaction that you coaxed this food into being with your own hands. But what does becoming a modern-day Demeter actually entail? What if you don’t have a yard, or even a balcony? And is it worth growing your own food when supermarkets exist? Continue reading...

Parasites, including ticks, fleas, worms and more, can wreak havoc on your pet’s health, and create headaches and messes for you.

Just when parents thought they could decode teenage text speak, a new list comes along that raises more questions than answers Name: Confusing text abbreviations. Age: As old as texts themselves. Continue reading...

We've all been there. The post 11 Easy Sheet Pan Recipes for Nights You Can’t Deal With Dinner appeared first on Camille Styles .

My special skills included driving a small car filled with helium balloons, memorising children’s names – and tolerating parents’ behaviour Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email From the age of 16 to 22, I was a children’s entertainer. Most often a fairy, sometimes a witch, ballerina, princess or mermaid – with conspicuous legs underneath her tail. One time, hilariously, a ladybug. The hourly rate was excellent, the costumes were cute and the tiny customers even cuter. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

Basic maintenance is one of the most satisfying ways of getting to know your bike – with most parts costing less than a tank of fuel With fuel prices soaring and service stations running dry, you might find yourself taking a second look at that old bike gathering dust in the back of the garage. Cycling may not be a suitable replacement for all car trips but, with more than half of Australian motorists cutting down on driving due to the crisis, it’s a very handy (and very fun) tool to have in your arsenal for a quick trip to the shops, a leisurely weekend joyride or the first or last leg of your commute. Even if you don’t already own a bike, cycling can be among the cheapest modes of transport around. While many a Lycra-clad speed demon will try to convince you that the only bike worth riding is one that costs more than some new cars, older bikes are not only easier to repair, they’re also less tempting to thieves. If you scroll through Facebook Marketplace you’ll find indestructible 80s and 90s workhorses for the price of a tank of fuel – just make sure to check the frame isn’t cracked or bent. There are also volunteer-run workshops all over Australia (such as the Ceres Bike Shed in Melbourne or Cycle Re-cycle Club in Sydney ) selling refurbished secondhand bikes. Continue reading...

Not every store-bought Italian dressing belongs on your salad. Here are the best.

A friend’s new facial hair makes him look like a man who attacked the letter writer.

She’s showing but not announcing her pregnancy this time, and she’s worried about making things awkward with people.