Blog Posts by The_Stir

dining roomWho made the rule that a matchy matching dining room set is the only way to put together a table and some chairs? Why do so many of us feel the need to follow this unwritten tradition in the dining room? I say let's mix it up in those eating rooms already!

More From The Stir: 5 Easy Fall Decorating Ideas For Your House

Let's break free of traditional, get sassy, and get inspired to do a little mix and match with dining tables and chairs. You may not believe it, but wood chairs don't always have to go with wood tables (chairs don't even have to match each other). It's true! Mind blowing, huh?

To keep it simple, let's take a look at several wood tables coordinated with different chair types: metal, velvet, plastic, no holds barred. We're breaking all the rules in the dining room today. C'mon, let's go!

So you have or are shopping for a wood dining table, but you're not sure what type of chairs you'd like to have. Straying from the typical matching wood chairs is a

Here at Ask Dad, we believe in defense of marriage. Not in the political sense, but in fighting for the things that make your union right. And knowing when to drop your weapons and walk away. So tell me what battles you've been waging.

More from The Stir: Do Men Care If I'm Not Fresh Down There?

My husband is good friends with all of his exes, especially the lady that came right before me. They talk on the phone, IM all the time, and he even keeps pictures of the two of them. He tells me the constant contact doesn't mean anything. I hate to be petty, but it really bothers me. Shouldn't he respect that and ease up?

I'm not surprised your feelings are so strong about this. The man who's too close to his ex is such an electric topic that it's taught to wannabe lady-killers as an opening line in books like The Game and shows like The Pick-Up Artist. (Which I of course consume only for laughs -- and vital advice research.)

So if you're out with the girlfriends and some

It seems that fast food restaurants pull out all the stops when it comes to trying to kill us.

There's a new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives that says greaseproof papers, aka the stuff used to wrap fast food, break down into PFCAs. These are bad -- they're carcinogens (agents that directly cause cancer) that can build up and remain in the body.

More from The Stir: Are Parents Pushing Fast Food Better Than TV Ads?

Of course you're most likely thinking, Um, you dumbass, I don't eat the wrappers. That doesn't matter, as these chemicals can seep into your food just by being in contact with the wrapper.

You can be exposed to PFCAs in other places besides wrappers too: microwave popcorn bags, clothing, bedding, carpeting, packaging -- it seems that they're everywhere and hard to stay away from.

When are we all going to start living in bubbles?

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, researchers couldn't figure out why humans had such

We've stopped saving daylight, and said bring on the night. That means darkness and cold, but more time for warm love. How can Ask Dad help make it go right?

I noticed my husband staring at my friend's breasts. When I confronted him about it, he said I was nuts. But he totally was! How do I get him to stop? I don't think he knows he is doing it but it makes me feel slimy ... I can't imagine what my friend is thinking!

Bless you for thinking that maybe he doesn't know he's doing it. It may seem like wishful thinking, and it's certainly the best thing to assume to keep him from getting defensive, but it may also be true.

More from The Stir: Do Men Care If I'm Not Fresh Down There?

Male looking-without-realizing is a serious ailment that can have serious effects on your marriage and friendships. It's something I and a lot of other men desperately fear we may be doing, like some sleazy cousin to sleep-eating. Sadly there are no meds for it yet.

I can't speak directly

Victoria's SecretWhen you think of Victoria's Secret's clothing line, you probably think of low-cut dresses on models with impossibly big boobs and tiny waists.

And you'd be right -- partially.

But while there's plenty of gear for the, ahem, exhibitionists out there, there are also some really cute things for the rest of us -- and when they go on clearance, as they often do at VS, you can get some FANTASTIC deals!

More from The Stir: Victoria's Secret Models: Angels or Devils in Disguise?

Check out this adorable babydoll dress, for example. It comes in several different colors and it's on sale right now for just $12.99!

Staple dress for next summer, anyone?

Read on for more fantastic deals on clothing that doesn't expose too much skin!

After having both babies, I practically lived in VS babydoll tops like this one (Victoria's Secret, $14.99 on clearance), which hid my slowly shrinking mummy tummy without making me feel frumpy. These tops do just fine in the wash, which is

Want to keep your sex life as active as the NY Jets' offense this winter? A lot of women enjoy watching football games. I know I do, especially when I'm watching with my husband.

And we're getting ready to enter the thick of the football season what with all of the holiday college bowl games and NFL playoffs coming up in the next month or so.

More from The Stir: Admit It, Ladies -- You Only Pretend to Like Football

Thanksgiving weekend alone has maybe 1,000 televised football games. An exaggeration but sometimes it sure feels like that.

But if you don't already enjoy watching football, rather than think of it as something that takes away from your relationship with your partner, think of it as something that can add to your relationship.

Use the last couple of months of the season to up the ante in the bedroom by incorporating football into your sex life.

You've heard of fantasy football leagues, right? Well this is make up your own football fantasies.

baby giftsAh the lure of baby gear. It's cute and helpful and, wow, some of it will even make your baby a genius ... or kill him if you don't use each and every one of those safety devices.

Parents today are bombarded with products theyNEED to raise happy, healthy children, and of course, who wouldn't want that? So the heartstrings pull on the pocketbook, and all of a sudden, you're surrounded by gads of gear -- some of which you'll use and some of which you won't ... ever.

More From The Stir: Getting by Without a Crib

The fact is: You need very little to raise a baby. Verylittle.

In fact, I think there are only five baby items that are really required:

1. Diapers

Whether you choose cloth or disposal, you're going to need something down there, or you're going to have a mess on your hands ... and on everything else.

2. Place for Sleep

If you choose to co-sleep, this may not even be a purchase you have to make, but for others, bassinets and cribs are the

Anyone who has dug into a pint of ice cream after a breakup or sipped chicken soup when they are sick knows that food can have therapeutic powers. Most of those belief about food aren't based in science and have recently been debunked.

The problem is, a lot of these mood boosters actually aren't all that good for you: chicken soup is full of salt, ice cream packs a huge caloric punch, and while wine has health benefits, more than one glass is riskier than it is beneficial.

More from The Stir: Lose 7 Pounds in 2 Weeks on the Twinkie Diet

But there are some good-for-you foods that can boost your mood and leave you feeling better than you did before you ate them. And the good news is they are right in front of you almost every single day ...

Oranges: Aromatherapists believe the scent of an orange provides mental clarity and reduces anxiety, and there's a reason citrus scents are in so many shower gels: the smell helps perk you up. It's also full of fiber, vitamin C and