Blog Posts by Redbook

By Ava Feuer, REDBOOK

As the rumors fly about the designer behind Kate Middleton's wedding gown, we look back at our five, all-time favorite royal wedding dresses:

Queen Rania of Jordan

As beautiful as she is philanthropic, Queen Rania of Jordan wed future King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein in 1993 in a gold-trimmed Elie Saab dress.

Princess Máxima of the Netherlands

In 2002, this Argentinean banker said, "I do" to Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. She was radiant in a stunning ivory silk Valentino gown with a 16.4 foot lace train.

Princess Grace of Monaco

The Hollywood star became a princess in a timeless Helen Rose gown when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.

Princess Diana of Wales

The world fell in love with Great Britain's last princess when she walked down the aisle towards Prince Charles in a very 1980's David and Elizabeth Emanuel gown.

Related: Steal Michelle Obama's

by Jessica Smith, REDBOOK

It's the middle of your workout, and you are working hard, and you are drenched with sweat! Isn't that a sign of a seriously effective workout? Not exactly, says Michele Olson, Ph.D., professor of exercise science at Auburn University in Alabama.

Related: REDBOOK'S Top Beauty Products for 2011

"The reason we sweat is to control our body's temperature", says Olson. "When liquid hits our skin (from the inside) and then evaporates, the evaporation is cooling." But don't take those beads of sweat as an indication of intensity, or how many calories you are burning, warns Olson. "In fact, you actually burn more calories running outdoors in the cold versus summer in the heat," she says.

Related: 43 Sneaky Beauty Tricks to Help You Look Younger

How is this possible? "To warm our bodies," Olson explains, "our muscles will perform extra small and rapid contractions that are usually not felt, but anytime your muscles contract more, they use

My stepdaughter has fought her weight for years and, since having kids, has become obese. She drinks a 12-pack of cola a day and keeps lots of candy at home. She has said, in front of her kids, "I don't like vegetables." The kids aren't overweight but are obsessed with having dessert, and the middle 7-year-old girl already says she is "dieting." The 9-year-old has been on laxatives since he was a baby (his doctor put him on them), but if he ate right, he wouldn't need them, as I see it. Suggesting a healthy diet for him, or telling his mother that she shouldn't drink so much soda, hasn't helped. I worry about her and her kids. What can her dad and I do or say to help them be healthier? - P.D., 51, Sylva, NC

Related: How to Handle a Mompetitor


I wish I could tell you that if you sat your step-daughter down and listed everything that was wrong with her diet and the way she's raising her kids to think about food, she'd see the light. But as you've observed, it doesn't work that way.

By Aaron Traister, REDBOOK

DEAR WHYS GUY:

A few months ago, my fiance and his dad went to a bachelor party, and his dad paid for him to have two lap dances. We almost broke up because of this, and I think I was more frustrated and grossed out by the fact that his father paid for his lap dances, and the fact that he had to have two. Why does a guy feel that it's ok to go to a strip club or have lap dances if he's "happy" in his relationship?

Related: The 18 Most Annoying Male Habits Explained

DEAR REDBOOK READER:

Okay, there are a couple of things I need to address in this letter. First, one woman's gross is another man's harmless $15 worth of fun. A lot of guys think of a strip club as an oasis: It's not real, but it ain't so bad to pretend every now and then. If it bothers you, and you let him know, and he still doesn't agree with you, then this is a boundary issue between the two of you that I can't help with.

But to be honest, it sounds like you're

By Vered DeLeeuw, REDBOOK

Check out these tried and true tips for a happy marriage.

1. Accept each other. And I mean really accept. Because so many say they accept their partner for what they are, when in fact on a deeper, even unconscious level, they want to change them. Example? My husband is not exactly a social butterfly. Sometimes, over dinner with friends, I think to myself that it would be nice if he talked a little more, you know, so that not so much of the "keeping the conversation alive" burden was on me. But then I look at him, sitting there and listening quietly, only speaking when he feels he actually has something to say, and I smile. After all, this is exactly why I fell in love with him in the first place - this quiet, super intelligent man that does not talk unless he actually has something useful to add to the conversation.

2. Aim for "good enough." This may sound blatantly unromantic to some of you younger readers, but "good enough" as a general goal in

by Jessica Smith, REDBOOK

Think getting in shape has to cost a fortune? Think again! Here are 5 budget friendly ways to get fit for next-to-nothing:

1) Download A Fitness App. (cost: $0.99 to $1.99 each) Get in a good workout -with or without the gym- with the workouts available with Deft fitness ($0.99). Or turn your world into your own treadmill with iTreadmill - it tracks your steps, distance and average speeds. This pedometer app even lets you set a pacer dial, which clicks to keep you up to speed ($1.99). Or check out PumpOne's fitness builder and fitness class apps (free!) for expert level training and group fitness class experience for your iPad. (All available on apple.com/itunes.)

Related: REDBOOK'S Top Beauty Products for 2011

2) Get a guest pass for a new gym. (cost: free) Most gyms offer guest passes to locals, and invite you to come and try them out for free. Some chains like 24 Hour Fitness even host events for guests - checkout their "Last Chance Workout

By Aaron Traister, REDBOOK

DEAR WHYS GUY:

I have been seeing this guy for a month. We were on the phone recently, casually talking, when all of the sudden he says to me, "I gotta go. I love you." He hung up the phone, and I was in shock. Had he really just said that to me? I asked him later if he meant what he said, and he told me he didn't recall telling me that. He also said he'd spoken to his mother right before me. Should I believe him? Or is he moving too fast?

Related: The 18 Most Annoying Male Habits Explained

DEAR REDBOOK READER:

I've told customer service reps from Sears that I love them while hanging up the phone... several times. I don't really love any of the good people at Sears, but, you see, I have a tremendous fear of death and I have few friends.

Just bear with me for a second; I'll make everything clear and answer your question.

RELATED: What Men Really Think When You're Having Sex

By Ava Feuer, REDBOOK

If you're one of the wedding diehards who's going to have friend over at 4 a.m. to watch the festivities live, here are some breakfast ideas perfect for an early morning gathering.

Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
Indulge your sugar craving bright and early with these warm, cinnamon-infused sticky buns. Let's just call it our way of wishing the bride and groom a sweet union.

Curried Egg Salad
Infuse the usual egg salad with cucumbers, apricot preserves and a dash of curry. Add whole grain bread, slice off the crusts, and cut into triangles for oh-so-British tea sandwiches.

Related: 19 Ways to Pump Up a Party

For those gathering to watch the ceremony later in the day (thank you, DVR),