Blog Posts by Kaboodle.com

Don't mistakenly lose that loving feeling

There are plenty of expected behaviors on cupid's annual holiday. For anyone in a romantic relationship, they might include enjoying an intimate dinner for two, gifting a loved one with candy or flowers, or both. But there are some things that should just not be done on February 14, including the following 10 no-nos.

1. Attempt going out to dinner without a reservation.
Whether you're celebrating with a sweetheart or simply looking for dinner made by someone else, attempting to dine out without advance notice is not the best idea. Since Valentine's Day is the busiest evening of the year for most restaurants, you're likely to have to wait for hours to get a table. If your stuck without a reservation and need a dinner to impress, pickup takeout and spruce it up at home with candles and music, which is probably more romantic anyway.

2. Show up late for a dinner reservation at a restaurant.
This is one night when the host will be quick to give up your

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The best defense is finding ways to reconnect

After several years of dating, a big wedding, a couple kids, and regular Saturday nights at Chuck E. Cheese, you've started to feel it. You love your spouse but things are a little stale and frankly, watching TV every night after putting the kids down is getting a little boring.

Don't worry-everyone feels this way. But when the neighbor down the street starts looking a little more attractive or you find yourself flirting with your son's tee ball coach, it's time to address the issue: you have the seven year itch. Here are seven ways to fight it (and avoid doing something you'll regret).

1. Schedule a date night-and stick to it
We know you're busy. But scheduling a weekly or even monthly date night is an important first step to reconnecting with your spouse. Find a regular babysitter if you have kids, put a date on the calendar, and try your hardest to make it happen. Working late, drinks with friends, or exhaustion are not acceptable excuses to reschedule.

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Sally Hansen
The biggest date night of the year is still a couple weeks away, but we've already found our perfect match: Sally Hansen's Valentine's Day Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips ($9.99 each). The love-themed decals adhere to nails-with zero dry time-and last up to 10 days.

Tell us: Is it love at first sight?

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Valentine's Day Collection
Sally Hansen Salon Effects Valentine's Day Collection


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Heed warnings to avoid being fired

Feel like you've been getting the cold shoulder from your boss? Chances are it's all in your head. But if you're worried you might be right, check out the following six telltale signs that your boss is not your biggest fan.

1. He doesn't look you in eye
If your boss doesn't make eye contact with you while chatting about work or during meetings, it either irritates him to see your face or he's considering getting rid of you. If this is the case, it's probably time to brush up your résumé.

2. She excludes you from meetings
Are you included in less meetings or important discussions than you used to be? Are you the last to learn about department news or changes that affect you? If so, you've definitely annoyed her in some way. If you think she's accidentally forgetting to invite you, walk by the meeting room to give her a chance to wave you in. If you do that and she still doesn't ask you to join, it's a safe bet she doesn't want you there.

3. He goes to

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Given the pressure and feelings of obligation around Valentine's Day, when shopping for loved ones it's easy to fall back on classic but uninspired gifts. But the following unexpected and utterly cool presents provide fresh ways to show your love-and your good taste-without breaking the bank.


Wall Art
San Francisco Map Print
Brighten up your loved one's wall with the gift of an original screen-print poster from Ork, which offers versions depicting his or her favorite city or hometown ($22).

Kitchen Gadgets You'll Really Use


Whimsical Phone Dock
Jonathan Adler Phone Stand
How cute is Jonathan Adler's porcelain cell phone dock ($48)?! Designed to look like an old rotary phone, the base accommodates the cord from your phone's charger and is able to cradle most smartphones, making it an awesome gift for the gadget lover you love.


Killer Kicks
Shoes for him and her
If your honey is a fashionista, wrap up a killer pair of shoes for them this Valentine's Day. Thanks to retailers who offer last season's shoes at a discount, you can snag a stylish pair of kicks

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Everyone's happiest when you play by the rules

With coming of each new year and its resolutions, there is always an uptick in the number of new faces at the gym. Unfortunately, their orientation usually doesn't include a quick course in universally known but rarely documented gym etiquette. Whether you're fresh to the exercising party or an old timer at your local workout Mecca, following are eight rules of gym etiquette that all members should abide by.

1. Re-rack your weights
Make sure when you're done with an exercise to put everything away. It is extremely frustrating when you're trying to start an exercise-be it a weight machine or free weights-to find all the weights are scattered or completely MIA.

2. Abide by the posted time limits
In the case of gym equipment, sharing really is caring. Most gyms have a posted time limit for their cardio machines, and these time limits are there to ensure that everyone has a chance to use them. If you're gym has posted time limits, adhere to them! Even if

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Weight loss
If you've recently made resolutions to lose weight or eat better you're probably already finding that sustaining such health-minded goals can be difficult. But success can be yours if you create good habits to replace the bad ones. This is especially true of snacks. Stock up on and reach for the following healthier options instead of convenient standbys like chips, energy bars, or cookies and you'll not stop your metabolism from crashing midday. Better yet, you'll also drop pounds, since many of these snacks have been proven to increase weight loss!


1. Soup
According to a 2007 study conducted at Penn State University, eating a low-cal soup (think broth-based, not cream-based) before a larger meal can help you eat less in general because it contains a combination of liquids and solids, which seems to satisfy hunger better than either does on its own. It also makes a great solo snack or meal.

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2. Yogurt
A 2004 study published in Obesity

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StrangeBeautiful's goth nail set

Considering the momentum of creative, cool, and wildly funky manicures in 2011, we're betting nail art will continue to be all the rage this year. And if the runways of Cushnie et Ochs, Chanel, and Rag & Bone are any indication, extremely dark, goth-like nail polish is destined to be part of the 2012 hit list.

StrangeBeautiful's Dickensian Volume Nail Polish Set, which costs a whopping $85 and was inspired by the slightly disturbing tales of Charles Dickens, Edward Gorey, and the Brothers Grimm, shows that goth has grown up. Not for angsty teens, it's priced for well-heeled fashionistas who want to go to the dark side with10 shades of black and gray in gloomy-yet-glamorous metallic finishes. Still, there's nothing stopping you from rocking the trend with more affordable drugstore options.

So we wonder: Will you go goth with your nails?

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Read More »from Will Your Nails Go Goth This Year?