Blog Posts by Redbook

Ob/gyn Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., doesn't pull any punches when talking to her BFFs about the sex, vaginas, and the intimate stuff. Care to listen in on her tips? It's a good thing we're all adults around here. By Sunny Sea Gold, REDBOOK.

No Brazilians before your appointment, please!
"It's natural to want to be well-groomed when you know someone is going to be looking closely at your private parts. But doctors truly don't care. The additional bit of truth I spill to friends is that I've seen too many red, swollen situations where the patient obviously went out and got a Brazilian right before coming to see me. That makes it tougher to do a thorough and accurate exam, because it's hard to know if something is actually wrong-like an inflammation or infection, for example-or if the woman is simply swollen from the trauma of waxing. So I assure my friends that it's better to be your natural self than freshly waxed before a gynecologist appointment."

Your weight could be ruining your

Lounging, learning, drinking - that pretty much sounds like the best girls trip of our lives. Wine-os, no matter where you live, or how far you'd like to go, we've got you covered. By Ava Feuer, REDBOOK.

1. Finger Lakes, NY
"For an East Coast wine weekend, you can't beat New York's Finger Lakes," says certified sommelier and American Express Travel Culinary and Wine Insider Sylvie Tannhauser. "This area has some of my favorite Rieslings, which is usually known as a sweet wine, but the region is developing its own approach." Can't find a babysitter? The Finger Lakes are actually incredibly family-friendly with their watersports, go-carting, biking, hiking, and golfing options.

2. Snake River Valley, ID
With its 1,500- to 3,000-foot altitudes, this young, growing locale is earning comparisons to Spain's established Rioja region. "Scope out Idaho's Rieslings, Bordeaux and Syrah at must-see vineyards including Cinder Winery, Fujishin, Bitner Vineyards, and Ste. Chapelle," says

Hosting a summer soirée? These expert tricks will keep your bash fun, delicious, and ensure guests won't feel as if they need to go for a walk after dinner. By Ava Feuer, REDBOOK.

1. Dessert time
Making your own ice cream may sound like a lot of work, but this alternative dessert will be ready as soon as you hit "start." Follow Clean Foods author Terry Walters' lead, and throw pecans, almonds, a dash of vanilla, a few sprinkles of cinnamon, and ice into a high-power blender, such as a Vitamix, for an instantaneous - and shockingly creamy - treat.

2. Get wet
Summer heat - and extra booze - may make you mistake thirst for hunger, says Ashley Koff, RD. instead of relying on water to keep you hydrated, plan a fiber-filled party menu since these kinds of foods hold on to more water. Assemble a beautiful plate full of fresh-cut farmer's market veggies with seasoned sea salt for dipping, or stuff pureed beans into lettuce "burritos" along with plenty of crunchy, bite-size veggies

That one about how we all need more vitamin D? Or that the damage was done by the time we turned 18? These tanning and skin cancer myths aren't just wrong - they can do serious harm. Wise up and head into a healthier future. P.S. You'll look a lot younger too. By Cara Litke Sullivan, REDBOOK.

When George Harrison wrote "Here Comes the Sun" back in 1969, he probably wasn't thinking about forehead wrinkles or suspicious-looking moles. And for all the scary UV facts out there today, there's no denying that sunshine still equals happiness: family vacations, barefoot walks on the beach, warmth after the long, cold winter. While we know why we should avoid the sun-it's the number-one cause of signs of aging and directly linked to skin cancer, which is on the rise-most of us are guilty of convincing ourselves that catching a few rays can't do much harm. Major mistake, skin docs and scientists say, though they also realize that no one wants to park it indoors on a cloudless 80-degree day.

There's no denying the men in this summer's biggest blockbusters are smoking hot. But when it comes to husbands, we're looking for more than a chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes. We've searched for - and found - America's Hottest Husbands for years now, so we're kind of aficionados when it comes to determining whether or not a guy has true dad potential. Thanks to years of practice, we applied our expertise to a thorough examination of the men of 2013's biggest summer movies. By Lauren Le Vine, REDBOOK.

Clark Kent a.k.a. Superman (Henry Cavill) in Man of Steel













Pros
- Faster than a speeding bullet, so he can always do school pick-up at a moment's notice
- Looks like that in spandex- Is a national treasure
- Stronger than a locomotive

Cons
- Unclear if all those frequent flier miles can be transferred to any major airlines
- X-ray vision allows him to see through other women's clothing
- Didn't he learn his lesson about the dangers of capes from The Incredibles? Amateur hour.- Major daddy issues

Dominic













Pros
- Super handy and knows his

The trick is heading to popular winter destinations in warm-weather months. These four are just as fun - and cheap! - during the summer. And it's not too late to get yourself there. By Lisa Tucker McElroy, REDBOOK.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Don't worry-partying college kids are a thing of the past. Fort Lauderdale is now a beachy haven of summer deals for the rest of us.

From May through September, more than 30 attractions (including Butterfly World and Everglades tours) offer two-for-one deals. You can also flag down the Fort Lauderdale Sun Trolley for a free tour of the city, or join a complimentary paddle-boarding lesson on Saturday mornings at Deerfield Beach, a hidden gem near a walkway lined with shops and restaurants.

Don't miss the opportunity to observe threatened sea turtles nesting on area beaches-more than 150,000 inches-long hatchlings will make their way into the ocean from March to October. Moonlight turtle walks are $8 at the Anne Kolb Nature Center; pre-registration is

Whether you're planning on logging some serious beach time or are celebrating a special occasion, draw warm-weather outfit inspiration from some of our favorite stylish celebs. By Julia Malacoff, REDBOOK.

More from REDBOOK:

• 100 Stunning Sandals Under $100

• The 33 Most Iconic Eye Makeup Looks in History

• 100 Hot Celebrity Hairstyles For Every Hair Type

What if we told you that in less than the length of an episode of New Girl, you could up your passion, improve communication, and feel closer to your special someone? These science-proven expert tips from popular TED Talks explain how. By Diana Kelly, REDBOOK.

1. Create space in your relationship
To desire your mate, leave each other for a bit, says Esther Perel in "The Secret to Desire In a Long-Term Relationship." Our need for security, dependability, and reliability are vital to our relationships, but so are our innate desire for risk, danger, adventure, the unknown, and surprise, which can be hard to find when you've been with the same person for a long time. When researchers asked people when they were most drawn to their partners, about half responded, "When they're away, when we reunite after being apart, when I see them from across the room at a party talking to another person." So make plans to see separate friends this weekend. You'll be more likely to appreciate - and want