Blog Posts by Kaboodle.com

There's no need for boring salads!

It's easy to get in the habit of making the same old salad night after night. Ironically, a bowl of leafy greens with accoutrements is one of the easiest things to make an exciting part of your meal-if you change it up with some regularity. Whether your standby salad consists of lettuce and bottled dressing or homemade vinaigrette with mixed greens and extra fixings, following are 10 ways to improve upon one of the healthiest meal options.

Tell us: What's your favorite addition to salad?

1. Make a New Dressing
Even home cooks with a great salad dressing recipe need to mix it up every now and then to make the side dish fresh again. To make a great salad dressing, think three parts oil to one part vinegar. The types you choose are up to you. Olive oil makes a richer dressing, while vegetable oil makes a lighter one. Vinegars can make all the difference, too. Try balsamic, red wine, or sherry vinegar. Add minced shallots, 1/8 teaspoon Dijon mustard to bind, and

Will this get you the job?

You finally got the job interview you've wanted, have researched the company and position in question, and have prepared a list of smart questions to ask. Now the only thing left is putting together the perfect outfit. Since you have one shot to make a good first impression, it's essential that you ensure you don't sabotage your opportunity with an unintentional style faux paus. While what to wear depends on where you are interviewing, the following items are pretty universally known to make a less than stellar first impression. Steer clear of them and you're another step ahead of the game.

Short skirt
Unless you're interviewing to be a leg model, if your skirt falls above the knee, don't wear it to an interview. Not only will you constantly be trying to sit in a way that doesn't give the interviewer a view straight up your skirt, it's not the most professional option and could put off a potential employer. You don't have to skip wearing a skirt or dress altogether,

Every woman wants to look beautiful for her wedding, but now more and more couples are opting to spend less on their big days--and that means the hunt is on for fantastic lower-priced dresses. Here are five of our favorite bargain beauties-each of which can be yours for $500 or less!


For a Daytime Wedding
Alice + Olivia Dress
Add some glam to your daytime wedding in Alice + Olivia's mini-dress ($368 at Neiman Marcus). Inspired by 1920s fashions, the dress's silk slip is covered by a sheer white chiffon overlay with an Art-Deco-style burnout pattern. Pair the dress with a soft updo and berry-stained lips and you'll look retro but not costume-y.

SEE MORE: The Hottest Nail Polishes of the Season


For an Evening Wedding
Ellana Couture Dress
Lend a touch of red-carpet-worthy glamour to your wedding day with this hand-crafted white satin gown from Etsy seller Ellana Couture ($450). The made-to-order gown hugs all the right curves and the low-cut bodice and plunging back make it perfectly dramatic for an evening ceremony.


For a

We're so excited spring is nearly here! Soon it will be time to bring out all the supercute cotton dresses, skirts, and shorts that have been hanging, neglected, in your closet since last year. To complete-and update-all your fabulous spring outfits snag one of these pairs of sandals-each under $50!


Neon-Accented Wedges
Target Xhilaration Wedges
Neon accents are one of spring's hottest trends. To play with the trend without going overboard, pick up Target's patent espadrilles ($29.99) that feature a pop of yellow on the sides and toe bed. Their neutral grey hue makes them a versatile option for spring and summer.

SEE MORE: The Hottest Nail Polishes of the Season


Beaded Flats
Urban Outfitters Beaded Thongs
Tribal-inspired accessories, such as these beaded leather thongs from Urban Outfitters, are another hot spring trend. Pair them with shorts and skirts or even pedal-pushers. Available in three color combinations (our fave is the tan and orange combo pictured above) they're only $39.


Silver Gladiators
Forever 21 Silver Gladiator Sandals
Futuristic metallic accessories

Not all procedures are necessary

While most dentists are honest and ethical, there are a small number that don't play by the rules. For that reason it's important to stay informed to avoid getting ripped off-or worse, getting a procedure you don't need. From over-diagnosing cavities to insisting on deep gum scaling, here are six signs your dentist might be scamming you.

You spend just as much time with the finance person as you do the dentist
It's a red flag if your dentist passes you off to someone else to talk about the cost of any given procedure. Kelly M. had a dentist who handed her a treatment plan in the $9,000 range-but when she started asking questions about particulars, the dentist waved her off to his financial person saying he didn't "talk about the money part." She ended up sitting through a 40-minute sales pitch from the finance woman. Worst part? When she got a second opinion the following week, no issues were found. If your dentist can't explain why something needs to be done, it's

Energy crash waiting to happen

Doctors and nutrition experts agree-skipping breakfast is a bad idea since a morning meal jumpstarts your metabolism and gets your body ready to tackle the day. But eating the wrong foods could be almost as bad as eating nothing at all for energy levels and overall health. Steer clear of the following five popular breakfast foods and reach for healthier options (think eggs, yogurt, whole grain cereals) and you'll start the day on the right foot.

Orange juice
Did you know that most brands of orange juice have the same amount of sugar and calories as soda? That's right: an 8 ounce serving of OJ has 110 calories while an 8 ounce serving of soda has 90. And both have around 25 grams of sugar per serving. Yikes! If you absolutely must drink juice in the morning, make sure to find one that is 100 percent juice. The better option? Drink a glass of water and eat an orange.

White bread
Sadly, white bread, doughnuts, muffins (even fat-free ones), bagels, and toaster pastries

There's no prettier place than springtime in Paris-which might be why Hello Kitty packed her passport and headed to the City of Lights for her new collection. The Paris-inspired Hello Kitty Mon Amour Collection features romantic pastels and charming packaging covered in Parisian landmarks.

Compact Mirror



For globe-trotting Kitty lovers, the Mon Amour compact mirror ($19)




Mon Amour Eyeshadow and Blush Palette
Palette
The Mon Amour Palette Combination Set ($36) features macaroon-inspired eye shadows and blush in a balloon-bouquet design that reminds us of the irresistible Dior Cherie ads.




Parisienne Palate

Palette
For French-inspired makeup, the Mon Amour Eyeshadow and Blush Palette ($42)




Silk Makeup Bag

MakeupNail
Do you say meow to the silk striped makeup bag and colorful nail files?


What do you think? Worth a splurge or not?

More from Kaboodle:
The Best Haircuts with Bangs
Find Your Dream Wedding Dress
Cheap and Easy Ways to Decorate Your Pad
Punch Up Your Décor with Color
The Most Awesome

There are famous kisses that raise pulses and there are famous kisses that raise eyebrows. The following eight lip locks fall into the latter category, acting as great water-cooler fodder and moments we will never forget.

Madonna and Britney Spears

The jaw-dropping highlight of the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards was when Madonna and Britney Spears locked lips after performing "Like a Virgin." Interestingly enough, Madonna planted a big kiss on Christina Aguilera right after Spears, but since the camera didn't catch it, people watching at home were none the wiser.

Angelina Jolie and her brother James Haven

Jolie
After winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2000 Oscars, Angelina Jolie planted a big wet one on her brother and date for the evening, James Haven. In case that wasn't enough to stir the gossip pot, later that evening, Jolie also revealed that she was "in love with" Haven.

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley

Jackson

After