Lifestyle and Culture: Trending Stories from The Washington Post

Work Advice: The case of the offensive cleavage
Reader: “It seems there is a different gender standard” for women’s work attire.

A mini-garden makes the perfect gift for a friend — or yourself
The options are endless for these beautiful displays of herbs, greens and flowers.

Carolyn Hax: An introverted adventurer prefers to plan for one, not for two
A traveler is entitled to tell Mom that although she’s fantastic, she’s not the right travel buddy.

Miss Manners: Be content with host’s alcohol — don’t bring your own
Reader would rather have a good wine than what’s available at annual party.

Hints From Heloise: Don’t have your pocket picked
Reader urges keeping purse zipped closed, with valuables in inside pockets.

Ask Amy: Child of mentally ill mom feels long-term impact
Reader has own struggle with mental illness but fears abandoning parent.

In Paris, it’s raining frogs. Days-long downpour causes River Seine to overflow.
Some towns in France experience the worst flooding in a century.

NBA’s best teams meet again in the finals
With Golden State vs. Cleveland, a quick ending isn’t likely.

The Supreme Court’s secret to civility? Lots of good food and wine.
At a forum on the high court’s food culture, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor spill the secret beans.

‘Morning Joe’ office now features a giant mural of Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski on a beach
The wall art is a blown-up version of a painting by Peter Max.

Madam president? Ellen Johnson Sirleaf knows the job. Now she’d like some company.
Why Liberia’s first woman president finds gatherings of world leaders “always a bit lonely.”

The Dixie Chicks are back on tour in America today. Here’s why it’s a big deal.
After the massive fallout over lead singer Natalie Maines’s comments in 2003, would would have guessed this would happen?

Three-hour lead time and luck are keys to avoiding TSA slowdowns this summer
With hour-long security-checkpoint waits in the news, travelers are weighing their options.

Throw the ultimate cookout this summer with these must-have grilling tools
Grilling isn’t just about burgers and dogs anymore. As one chef says: “It’s a legitimate hobby.”

Did the Michelin Guide snub Los Angeles by choosing D.C.?
Michelin used to evaluate LA restaurants. But critic Jonathan Gold says the city’s casual scene didn’t fit into Michelin’s strict French stsyem.

Bill Simmons’s new site, The Ringer, goes live. And please, don’t call it just another Grantland
Bill Simmons launches his new website. And it’s not named Grantland

Conosci review: Michael Schlow’s crudo concept is a hidden gem
3 stars | The restaurateur’s fourth D.C. branch sits tucked inside Mount Vernon Square’s Alta Strada.

Does Rodarte actually exist? The vaporous business plan of a fashion industry darling.
Celebrities, critics and curators adore the work of the Mulleavy sisters. But is anyone wearing it?

You may hate the Star Wars prequels – but they predicted our current political era
The author of the new book “The World According to Star Wars” explains what the movies say about democracy.

The top 10 posts from Solo-ish’s first year
What makes a marriage work, why first loves linger and more.

A designer answers: Timeless, or trendy?
Styled vignettes on trays, gallery walls and “pops of color.” What’s here to stay?

Why running is the perfect time for podcasts
Listening to podcasts or audiobooks might make you smarter, more creative and more mindful.

The late-spring trim can do wonders for summer perennials
A judicial snip now will keep these plants upstanding.

Remember that time you were a perfect parent every minute?
Kids sometimes are kids and climb over fences they aren’t supposed to. And sometimes parents are parents and don’t see when they do.

Why 70 percent of kids quit sports by age 13
“It’s not fun anymore” isn’t the problem, it’s the consequence of a number of cultural, economic and systemic issues that result in our kids turning away from organized sports at a time when they could benefit from them the most.

With re-creation of 1500s garden, a reminder of when herb knowledge was a survival tool
An Italian original is re-created in Georgetown.

Their 4-year-old wants to sleep without clothes
Is it okay to let a child sleep in the nude? What if her grandparents are weirded out by it?

Be upfront about your friendship with your ex
You’ve got nothing to hide, so why act like you do.

Hints From Heloise: Putting the freeze on composting
Paper bag in the freezer keeps kitchen scraps small-free until trash day.

Ask Amy: Tanning addict risks cancer to stay bronzed
Reader wants to help cousin who has already had a cancer diagnosis.