Blog Posts by GALTime.com

By GALTime.com

It may come as no surprise that 43% of Americans who are online say they are addicted to social networking. These days, there's one powerhouse synonymous with social networking: Facebook.

The exploding network sometimes gets a bad rap, with security issues making headlines and stories abounding of both romantic relationships and friendships being strained or broken because of connections or comments made while online. Journalist and author Emily Liebert didn't see the negativity when she joined in the summer of 2008. No, she was in awe of the potential cultural impact of social networking. It occurred to her that there had to be amazing stories from the hundreds of millions of connections made on Facebook. She decided to seek out those stories and the result is her highly acclaimed book: Facebook Fairytales. We talked to Emily about the book and her journey into the lives and hearts of amazing people who have touched--and even saved- the lives of others.

By Manners Queen Constance Hoffman for GALTime.com

Ah, the good ole summer time. Warmer days filled with plenty of sunshine, the smell of coconut tanning lotion, colorful bathing suits and time spent pool side.

And who doesn't love the water, especially children? Here are a 8 etiquette tips to make sure they and your fellow swimmers have a wonderful time.

If your children just came in from making mud pies outdoors, please have them shower before getting in the water. Otherwise a black ring of dirt will follow them once they jump into the water.

Related: Did You Know You Can Sunburn Your EYES?

1. If child is wearing a bandage, consider removing it before he or she enters the swimming pool otherwise the bandage becomes a floating Barbie size surfboard. If he has an open sore, it is best to stay out of the pool until the wound is healed.

2. Diapers must be covered with plastic pants or appropriate swim diapers. This is not a "Let it all Hang Out"

By GALTime.com Consumer Guru Jennifer Jolly

Girl, if you don't know about luxury online rental sites by now - please tell me you actually have been hiding under a rock - for the last two years at least. Nowadays, you can rent ANYTHING you can't afford to buy. We'll get to stuff like boats in a bit.

First, Accessorize it: Avelle.com

The first Sex In the City movie made a little site called "Bag, Borrow or Steal" (since then, it's been renamed to "Avelle") an instant hit among the budget minded "in-crowd." It's an online service that let's you rent from more than 4,000 styles of luxury handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, watches and luggage. Featured designers include all the big names including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Coach, Stephen Dweck and Vera Wang.

Example:

You can go to Bergdorf Goodman and buy a Judith Leiber 'Prince Charming' Evening Handbag for about $4,000, or you can rent it for a week from avelle.com for $80.

by GALTime.com

What do you do if your otherwise fabulous partner is a snooze in the sack? GALTime love and sex expert Dr. Jane Greer has some tips to help you spice things up.

A lot of times people get caught up in doing the same 'ol thing night after night, day after day because that is what is comfortable or familiar-- they like it, they know it's going to work, and they want to stick with what they know both partners will enjoy.

Related: Rules of Morning Sex

What you need to do: Be willing to try something NEW! Figure out what you would like different- where you would like to be touched differently, maybe a different speed or a different position. It all comes down to touch and technique.

Related: 3 Biggest Mistakes Women Make in the Bedroom

Then, telling..or if you go back to when you were young, SHOW AND TELL. Show your partner what you want so that he can go into it positive and confident that he will do something that will make you

By Marianne Beach GALTime staff

It probably doesn't come as a great surprise to learn that men and women, as a rule, sin differently. At least according to anecdotal data gathered in the confession booth by Monseigneur Wojciech Giertych, personal theologian to Pope Benedict XVI. (Who knew priests were keeping track?!?) He found men's biggest shortcomings when it comes to the infamous seven deadly goes a little something like this:

While we women, on the other hand, have pride on the top of our list.

Related: Seven Deadly Sins State-by-State

By GALTime.com Parenting Pro Michele Borba, Ed.,D.

Talking with an adolescent can be like walking through a minefield. At any moment you could be asking what you thought was a simple, sincere question only to find it triggering an explosive response. You know that communication keeps you connected to your child, but it often seems to backfire because of the type of questions asked.

Research proves our instincts: The number one antidote to risky-kid behavior is a strong relationship with a parent. Believe it or not our kids even like us and want us in their lives! (Really!!!!) A recent Girl Scout of America survey found that tween girls want their moms even more involved in their lives.

The trick is how to stay involved the right way so we don't turn them off, they do want to come to us and we can be a sounding board to help them wade through tough issues. Watch out! The biggest turn off (according to tweens and teens) is often how we pose our questions.

7 Deadly

By GALTime.com

Summer comes out of nowhere and, suddenly, it's swimsuit season! It may be too late to lose 20 pounds for the season, but it's simple to battle the bloat and fight fat to get the most bikini-ready belly possible. We asked SELF Magazine feature editor Nicole Cantanese for her tips on smart summer snackin'. Here are her tips:

To reduce bloating and puffiness: eat calcium-rich foods such as low-fat milk and yogurt.

Related: Fit Ice Cream Into Your Diet Every Day

To help fight fat: grab healthy nuts such as almonds, which may contain a lot of calories and be high in fat, but they're good, healthy fats to keep you fuller, longer. That way, you don't hit the 3:00 binge and grab a candy bar.

Related: 3 Yoga Moves for a Bikini Ready Belly

To stay fuller, longer: munch on water-rich foods such as melon. Because they are 90% water, you'll feel fuller longer and you won't munch as much all day long.

Related:

by Marianne Beach, GALTime.com staff

You love Mike more than me!"

I still remember screaming that at my mom during pretty much every single argument we had back when I was a teen. And, of course, in every argument, she would swear up and down that she loved us both the same. (Even though I'm pretty sure I drove her way more crazy with my escapades!)

Was my perception of favoritism a simple case of teenage angst? Or was there something else there, just below the surface? And did my belief that Mom liked Mike more than me actually cause long term damage that still affects me today?

Related: Are You Ruining Your Kids' Social Lives?

A new study suggests it could be so. Based on interviews conducted with 275 Boston area mothers in their sixties and seventies and their offspring--whose average age was 43--researchers found perceived favoritism "still matters to a child's psychological well-being, even if they have been living for years outside the parental home--and