Blog Posts by GALTime.com

By KyAnn Lewis, GalTime.com

I've been working since I was a kid, starting with babysitting when I was 11 or 12. I kept working through high school and college and have never stopped. So when my husband and I decided to adopt a child, it only seemed natural that I'd just keep working. I'd spent many years, to use a tired cliché, climbing the ladder. My jobs took me across the country. At the time we adopted our daughter, I was working as a News Director at a TV station. I was in charge of everyone and everything in the newsroom - a job that was fun and rewarding, but also demanding and stressful.

Related: Working Mom Reality Check

Even though I loved my job, we decided to make a big life change last year. My husband and I quit our jobs and accepted a new opportunity in a more non-traditional environment. Even though the stress has lessened (a bit!) and the hours aren't quite as strenuous, I still face the challenge of how to make the best use of our time together as a family. We've

By Date Like a Grownup's Bobbi Palmer for GalTime.com

Masturbation. There…I said it. The "Big M." I don't generally talk about this, so it may shock you. But the time has come to chat about the role sex - or lack thereof - plays in the life of a woman in her later years who is single and looking for love.

There are many circumstances that may render a woman celibate for extended periods of time, especially if she's a single woman over 40. The days of hooking up are over, and until she finds a meaningful relationship she's keeping her lovely legs crossed. She may have come out of a loveless, sexless marriage that lasted way too many years. Or maybe she's so scared of being rejected for her not-so-elastic skin that she persists in finding excuses to keep her clothes on. (This includes ending potentially good relationships to avoid getting naked.) Oh, and don't forget that she's menopausal: the icing on the cake!

The longer the span of celibacy extends, the more likely she is to

By Carissa Wright, GalTime Associate Producer

When you get the craving for ice cream, there are few things that can get in your way. Most of us will trek to our kitchen, the grocery store, or even our local ice cream parlor. But, with the recent health craze that has swept the nation, there is only one thing that can stop us dead in our tracks-the feeling deep down that just maybe calorie-laden ice cream isn't the healthiest late night decision.

When the lower-cal craze first hit grocery stores, companies were still experimenting with ways to create tasteful ice cream treats that people could enjoy and feel good about. Now the freezers are choc full of lower calorie novelties and ice creams, but with such an overwhelming number, it's hard to make a decision while you're shivering in the freezer aisle.

So, GalTime decided to hold its first lower calorie ice cream taste testing party. We invited over some of the girls, stocked up on several popular brands of healthier ice cream

By GalTime.com Fashion Editor Kerri Winick

Totes and clutches and hobos, oh my! Bagging the perfect handbag can be a job in itself! As much as I'd love a Kardashian-eque closet full of carryalls, my budget is more discount than designer. That's why it's important I choose a bag that does it all: holds the essentials, looks fabulous, and goes with most of my outfits. So, what are the secrets to snagging a bag that makes you feel like a million bucks? I found out from Megan Johnson, Lead Buyer of LuckyChic.com.

Durability: No matter what your budget is, make sure the bag is worth what you're paying. Thoroughly inspect the material, seams and zippers. If you spot any signs of wear, tear, or weakness, Johnson says you can bet the bag won't last for the long haul.

Size: Size does matter! Make sure the purse you pick can hold your favorite things, or at the very least, the bare essentials. If it's a tight squeeze, it may not be worth the cash. Also, think about where you'll tote the

By GalTime Frugalista Kristen Hagopian

Hey everybody - Happy Independence Day! Read on for some effortless ideas on doing up this wonderful red, white and blue holiday without spending a lot of green!

THE FOOD -

Nowhere in literary or movie history have I witnessed a 4 th of July menu that required champagne, filet minion and crème brulee. We're talking hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, lots of cold beverages and some fabulous apple pie here! Et Voila! Fourth of July menu perfection achieved! If you really want to dazzle, finish off the meal with a delicious red, white and blue-themed dessert. Try a light cake topped with white buttercream, blueberries and raspberries! Or perhaps a gorgeous fruit salad loaded with watermelon, blueberries and raspberries! Hit your local discount gourmet grocery to stock up on the best brand names for a fraction of the price, and remember at all times that calories don't count when you're celebrating America's independence. Trust me, Betsy Ross didn't snack

By GalTime Relationship Diva Jennifer Oikle, Ph.D.


Question: I love my husband with all my heart, but I feel like I'm not a great wife a lot of the time. I'm busy with work, busy with the kids...I just don't have time sometimes to prioritize my great husband. How can I balance it all and how can I know if I'm a good wife or not?

Answer: As a busy working wife and mom, do you occasionally hear a doubting voice in the back of your mind: "Am I a good enough wife?" Modern day women feel pulled in so many directions, trying to be everything to everyone. And frankly, with kids and bosses to keep happy, it's not uncommon for your husband to get the short end of the stick. After all, there is only so much time and energy to go around.

So, what to do with that nagging doubt? Ask! Men are typically easy to please and simply checking in and letting them know you wish you had more time and energy is enough to help them feel seen and appreciated.

Related: Can White Lies Actually HELP

By Stylist Anastasia Nam for GalTime.com

One of the trendiest styles for summer is a choppy bob. Choppy bobs give you texture and interest. With a bit of volumizing mousse and styling paste your can create trendy and chic styles while staying cool at the same time.

Related: Gorgeous Hair: Why Your Brush Matters

A shorter hairstyle is the perfect answer to all of your summer activities. You will look great right out of the pool or at the beach. You can wear your style with or without bangs. Right now heavy bangs are trendy, but wispy bangs might be a better choice in the hot summer weather. One of the great things about a choppy bob is the great variety of styling options it gives you.

If you have thick wavy hair, a choppy bob will free your natural waves and give you an almost carefree style. Thin hair responds well to a choppy bob because the layers will give you more volume. Even very straight hair looks good in this style. It is one of the few cuts that look good

By Jessica Denay, Author of The Hot Mom's Handbook

1. For newborns, tear baby wipes in half vertically and save for big messes. That's all you really need for most changes, and the box will last twice as long.

2. Instead of buying a new stroller use Itzy Ritzy covers, for around $100. You can make an old hand me down or used stroller look fresh and unique.

3. There is no reason to buy expensive baby clothes with daily discount sites like Gilt.com, Hautelook.com and Mamabaragains.com. Get designer items at up to 70% off.

Related: 11 Ways to Live Like a Hot Chick

4. Be smart when you register. Cord Blood Registry just launched a baby registry program so friends and family can chip in to bank your baby's cord blood.

5. When decorating your child's room, frame art and drawings from siblings or cousins. This adds a personal and playful feel and is easy on your wallet!

6. Start a babysitting co-op with friends. Find a currency…for example, 'sticks'… and each