#love-and-revelry

#love-and-revelry

For my husband's 69th birthday, I asked his older sister to drive me to the neighborhoods where they grew up. I photographed the grocery store, his schools, the churches he attended, the vacant lot where his childhood home once stood. I printed the photos and placed them in an album. My husband, a verbose storyteller, especially about his life growing up as one of nine siblings, was very surprised. Nola Nolen 74, Harmony, Pa.

Gifting is a science, some might even call it an art. Knowing the receiver of your affection is the first step to successful gifting, and knowing what you'd like to say with your gift adds yet another layer of complexity. Keep the process simple with these ten design-forward picks from us at Design Milk, perfect for that special someone - romantic or otherwise.

BAY RIDGE - FASTELAVN, THE DANISH VERSION OF MARDI GRAS, comes to Bay Ridge on Saturday, Feb. 7. The Scandinavian East Coast Museum sponsors this annual event, held in advance of the penitential season of Lent, which is observed in many Lutheran countries, including in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Lent begins early this year, on Feb. 18, which will be Ash Wednesday. Bay Ridge carries a rich Scandinavian history dating back to the immigration waves of the mid-19th century and again post-World War II.

Oakland couples share how they found love in real life - at protests, festivals, schools, and house parties. Plus, where to eat and what to order this Valentine's Day, whether you're single, coupled up, or celebrating with friends. Arts and community reporter Azucena Rasilla profiled couples whose relationships are deeply rooted in Oakland, and Nosh editor Tovin Lapan guides us through Valentine's desserts, singles spots, and dining recommendations for every relationship status.

Shaped like an actual mixtape, complete with a transparent shell and a Side A label, it's a pocket-sized conversation starter that happens to deliver surprisingly warm sound. The genius lies in its dual identity. It's functional tech disguised as analog memorabilia. Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity means seamless pairing, while microSD support lets him load favorite tracks for offline listening. Slide it into its clear case-turned-stand, and it becomes an instant desk personality.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

For those who always reach for the dark chocolates, we recommend the Rosita, a complex bittersweet cocktail. For the sweetie who craves sweets, the Billy Ray Valentine from Ray's bar is the perfect treat. For those who crave a whiskey cocktail no matter the occasion, the Roses are Red #2 is a sultry twist on a whiskey sour from the Warren Street Bar & Restaurant.

Participants in the Lunar New Year parade paper dragons through the streets of Manila, Philippines.Ezra Acayan (Getty Images) A crowd of people walk through Manezhnaya Square, decorated with Chinese New Year motifs in Moscow, Russia.Anadolu (Anadolu via Getty Images) A fleet of drones projects the silhouette of a horse to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Yangzhou, China.VCG (VCG via Getty Images)

Valentine's Ball at the Embassy of Italy Get glammed up in your best ball attire for a romantic night in Verona. Waltz with your date across the ballroom floor, and then view a Roméo et Juliette opera performance. After the show, you can continue dancing to top 40 hits played by a DJ, and dine on Italian cuisine, including cannoli at the dessert buffet ($106+).

The one-of-a-kind celebration transforms the iconic fast-food restaurant into a festive, sit-down dining destination complete with hostess seating, tableside service, and Valentine's Day décor throughout the Castle, and Lovebirds seeking a more low-key celebration of their everlasting adoration for each other - or who were too late to the table to score a reservation at their favorite restaurant - will enjoy a decadent cuisine of Sliders, Shrimp Nibblers, Strawberry and Cream Waffles and other noteworthy menu items.

Whether it's called Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day or Mardi Gras, many countries choose to celebrate the last day before Lent by indulging in something sweet or fatty. In the UK and parts of the US, this usually means a big plate of pancakes in the morning. In Denmark there are special buns known as Fastelavnsbolle, Whether you celebrate it for religious reasons, or just because of a love of pancakes, it can be a real treat during these winter days.

The festival of Pailhasses is one of France's most ancient carnival traditions. Celebrating the end of a longstanding rivalry with a neighbouring village, it has for more than 700 years allowed villagers to release frustrations before Lent. Its rituals are about strength, chasing and some form of attack. It is also notoriously secretive.

Good news, the Mercury's reader Valentines are back, and they're in print and online! DID YOU GET ONE? CHECK AND SEE! That's right, we've been collecting hundreds of your 150 characters love notes-many of which are crammed into our current print issue, on the streets in more than 500 spots around the city-and online right here! And while you may have missed our print deadline, DO NOT FRET!

You know what'll go great with a cozy sweater? A cozy pair of sweats. These soft and breathable sweats from Alo Yoga are a pretty good bet, and you can get them ASAP with two-day shipping or choose the "pick up in store" option if you live near an Alo store. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Best Last-Minute Flowers Gift Schedule a flower delivery from Bouqs for the big day and choose from dozens of beautiful Valentine's Day flower arrangements.

Maybe you first bonded over shared workplace frustrations. You gradually started finding each other every lunch break and synchronizing trips to the coffee machine. Eventually they become a confidant for venting about your real life outside of work. They become your work spouse. And if you find yourself strolling the greeting card aisle sometime today, you may even feel compelled to get this person in your life a trinket for celebrating the most romantic day of the year. Turns out, there are options available.

Can food exist without love? And, inversely, can love exist without food? The answer to both is yes, of course, but the two are so intertwined that it's hard to imagine a romantic date without dinner, or a form of care greater than cooking a loved one their favorite meal. With Valentine's Day approaching, we at New York Times Cooking took a spin through our reader comments and found many tales of courtship and connection, of partings and proposals.

Layered with 47 different artisanal treats, from miniature cakes and truffles to macarons and maple smoked chili caramels, this gift is a nuclear bomb to the waistline, but most of the items on it last up to 30 days in the fridge, so the recipient will be reminded of your generosity all month long. Does it live up to the hype? I put on my fat pants in the name of journalism and requested one to try out.

I noticed this shift in my own life when I started having dinner with my partner most nights, phones deliberately tucked away in another room. We made this change after too many evenings disappeared into "just checking one thing" that turned into hours of parallel scrolling. The difference was immediate and profound. Conversations went deeper. We actually looked at each other. Time seemed to stretch in the best possible way.