Lifestyle

Famous for his flamboyant outfits, he helped celebrities including Cher, Tina Turner and Elton John cause a stir Bob Mackie, the costume designer behind some of the most sexy and glamorous outfits worn by celebrities in the past 50 years, has died at the age of 87. “He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a fashion and costume designer, which is all he ever wanted to do,” read a statement posted on his Instagram account. “His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.” Continue reading...

The Guardian Lifestyle • 12 hours ago

The answers to today’s puzzles Earlier today I set four engineering puzzles. Here they are again with solutions. (Do check out the hundreds of great comments posted below the line in the original story.) The cranberries Continue reading...

The Guardian Lifestyle • 15 hours ago

Would you hand in your phone at the door in exchange for a free bottle of wine? One restaurateur has tried that – and there are now many other gambits that are encouraging us to connect Name: Phone bans. Age: Their provenance is considerable; their time is now. Continue reading...

The Guardian Lifestyle • 15 hours ago

Click here to access the print version. Normal sudoku rules apply, except the numbers in the cells contained within dotted lines add up to the figures in the corner. No number can be repeated within each shape formed by dotted lines. Continue reading...

The Guardian Lifestyle • 18 hours ago

Intimidated by the thought of midweek entertaining? Three simple rules make it simple… Entertaining midweek can feel daunting, but if you employ a couple of tricks, things can very quickly go from mayhem to magic. First, choose a dish that goes perfectly with good bread, so your carb is covered. Second, choose a protein that is quick to cook and great for sharing – little lamb chops are perfect for this, while also being a treat. And, finally, use other ingredients that don’t need much help. Here, the walnuts just get cooked in butter and the lamb juices, the courgettes are simply boiled and dressed, and the yoghurt is, well, yoghurt. Suddenly you’ve conjured up a masterpiece ready for many hands to dig in. Good Time Cooking: Show-Stopping Menus for Easy Entertaining, by Rosie Mackean, is published by Pavilion Books at £26. To order a copy for £23.40, visit guardianbookshop.com Continue reading...

The Guardian Lifestyle • 19 hours ago

Tell us about your favourite holiday or travel moment in Germany– the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break From the long sandy beaches of the Baltic coast, to the clubs and galleries of Berlin, via the castles of Bavaria and the hiking trails of the Black Forest, Germany has so much to offer. We’d love to hear about your favourite travel experiences and places. The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website. Continue reading...

The Guardian Lifestyle • 19 hours ago