Rachel Bloom’s Life Is an Open Book

There’s no question you can ask Rachel Bloom that runs the risk of scrutinizing her too closely. “I love that,” she said. “Please, overanalyze.” Television viewers already know Bloom as the star and co-creator of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” the musical comedy-drama that delved deep into the messy life of her lovestruck protagonist, Rebecca Bunch. That CW…

Shopping for Desk Lamps

Since the pandemic struck, improvised home offices have been put through their paces. If your work-from-home setup is ready for an upgrade, the right desk lamp is a good place to start. Beyond providing light exactly where it’s needed, “the task light becomes one of the things that creates your little work office at home,”…

Finally, New Jersey Might Be Cooler Than New York

HOBOKEN, N.J. — In the very important, high-stakes fight for tristate area coolness, New Jersey rarely has the upper hand. (The tristate, for those without a Northeast-centric worldview, has traditionally referred to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.) But two weeks ago, New Jersey residents voted to amend the state constitution and legalize recreational marijuana,…

Indian Designer Manish Arora’s Downfall

In September, Manish Arora, a fashion designer once described as the “John Galliano of India,” announced that he was creating a pop-up restaurant in Paris, his adopted hometown, for the Holi festival. An Instagram slide show, featuring the brightly colored maximalism that is the Indian designer’s signature, depicted Mr. Arora with assorted friends sampling traditional…

Organize the Garage

Days spent at home have moved even the most muddled people to organize. The spice rack now displays alphabetically ordered bottles in neat rows. The closet has sections for formal and informal wear, subdivided by season. Pots and pans are arranged by type, the silverware drawer is a model of organizational excellence. But the garage…

Funny Podcasts to Escape Politics

Having trouble sleeping lately? Racing thoughts? Agita? Perhaps you are looking to ease the emotional hangover from that nail-biter of a presidential election. Utterly apolitical podcasts are just the ticket. These shows are not current events- or pop culture-based. They are not trying to teach you anything. They do not seek to challenge you, or…

Video Games to Relax

Take a deep breath. Hold it for five seconds. Exhale. Breathe in for three seconds. Repeat. How does that feel? A little better? Good. We’re living in stressful times, and any moment of calm is welcome. Video games don’t have a reputation for offering tranquility. People tend to think of them as more likely to…

Tips for Pandemic Insomnia

It’s 3 a.m. and you’ve been struggling for hours to fall asleep. Morning draws nearer and your anxiety about being exhausted the next day intensifies — yet again. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Among the many disruptions of 2020, insomnia may rank high on the list. Data on how the pandemic has affected…

Airport Activity

Many Americans won’t be visiting relatives for Thanksgiving this year in light of the pandemic. With this puzzle you can still experience the thrill of travel, minus the crowds. Fill in each Thanksgiving-related phrase on the departure board using airport codes from the boarding passes. Each boarding pass contains the answer for a line on…