Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Alexandra Gekas

It's practically a rite of passage for an adolescent girl to stand in a dressing room, red-faced, While Mom and the saleslady search for her first bra. However, even as we grow older-and more comfortable with our curves-finding the perfect undergarments can still feel a bit like an unsolved mystery. According to Susan Nethero, the "Bra Whisperer" and founder of {Intimacy} bra shops, and Karen Bromley, spokeswoman for the Intimate Apparel Council, the right bra doesn't have to be so elusive. Follow the 10 rules of bra shopping to end your hunt for the perfect fit once and for all. 10 Bra-Shopping Rules to Follow

Rule #1: Know your measurements.
According to both Bromley and Nethero, the first thing a woman should do before buying a bra is get fitted, which entails getting measured directly under the bust and across the fullest part of the bust. Nethero says 85 percent of women are actually wearing the wrong size. "The biggest mistake is that most women don't get fitted," Bromley

By Amanda Greene

Beauty in a bottle is just too good to be true. Or is it? You may have noticed an influx of edible products on the market that claim to combat a variety of beauty woes, from blemishes to lifeless hair and brittle nails. But do these drinks and supplements really work? That's what a team of WD staffers tried to find out. We tested a bunch of ingestible products-all from trusted brands--to see how they stood up to our biggest beauty complaints. Read on to find out which products flopped and which ones floored us.

Murad Sleep Reform Dietary Supplement
Overall score: 4.8 out of 5
The promise: The dietary supplement "encourages a deep, restful sleep while producing a visible improvement in skin."
What WD had to say: Our reviewer was eager to try this product, which claimed to help improve the appearance of her blemish-prone and uneven complexion and help with her occasional inability to fall asleep. Once she tried it she noticed the supplement's effects

By Karen Leland

As soon as September rolls around, your kids' behavior turns on a dime. First comes the nagging for new stuff , then the homework procrastination, then the whining about almost everything. Here's how to tame those patience testing tendencies.

Nagging

You need to buy back-to-school gear, but this is ridiculous. The latest iPod, the hot sneakers, the new skinny jeans-every time you turn around your kids are there, begging for stuff. What's up?

Returning to class puts a lot of pressure on kids to fit in, which often means having the right gear. "Nagging about getting it can mean an underlying anxiety about school," says Cathy Guttentag, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Children's Learning Institute, University of Texas. "Kids may become overly concerned about what they can control (their clothes) in order to feel more comfortable about what they can't."

Encourage your child to talk about her underlying worries, but also nip the nagging in

By Denise Schipani

You may be one of the lucky ones who has that one, sparkling gem of a girlfriend: She's never once been late, never fails to ask you what's going on with you and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Nice fantasy! In reality, most of us have ongoing etiquette issues with the women we count as our friends, from the gal who cancels plans at the last minute to the one who never has a positive thing to say. So why is it so hard to figure out the best way to deal with the pals who are competitive, flaky, negative and…cheap? "Because in most cases you want to have a continuing relationship with that person," says Amy Alkon, syndicated advice columnist and author of I See Rude People. So if you don't want to end the friendship, what can you do? Here, six tricky friend dilemmas and how to handle them gracefully.

The Chronic Latecomer

We've all been there, cooling our heels at the bar/restaurant/theater, waiting for the friend who doesn't seem to own a

By Brooke Nevils

10 Things You Didn't Know About eBay

When it was founded in 1995, eBay revolutionized the way we shop by creating the world's first online marketplace where practically anyone could buy or sell anything. Today, it has 90 million users around the world-and it's not just about auctions anymore. Read on to learn 10 insider secrets on buying and selling on eBay.

1. You don't have to engage in a bidding war to get what you want.
Nearly 60 percent of eBay listings now offer a fixed-price format-just look for the "Buy It Now" logo, which allows you to pay a predetermined price and skip the auction process altogether. You might end up paying a higher price than you would have in the auction, but you're guaranteed to get the item. If the "Buy It Now" price is too high for you, look for a "Best Offer" logo. You submit your best offer, and the seller can accept or decline your suggested price, or even make a counteroffer.

2. You can save up to 90 percent on brand-new, fixed-price items with eBay's

By Amanda Greene

The easiest way to turn a basic bedroom into a chic retreat? Add a headboard to your bed. Not only will it serve as the focal point of the room, it's also an opportunity to infuse some color and style into one of the most personal rooms in your house. And there's no need to invest in an expensive one-these six DIY projects are proof that a stylish headboard is just an afternoon away. Whether you want to frame your bed in romantic draped fabric or create a functional headboard that's packed with storage options, we'll give you plenty of ways to make your bed a special place to rest your head. Photo courtesy of Garry Wade / Getty Images.

Divide and Conquer
A fabric screen or room divider makes a grand-looking headboard. Choose one that is as wide as your bed or wider-screens that are narrower than your mattress will look out of proportion. To install, pull your bed out from the wall, flatten the screen and place it behind the bed. Be sure to center the

By Angela Ebron

Cleaning Tasks That Take 15 Minutes or Less

15-Minute Tasks

Swipe and sweep the kitchen.
"Use disposable disinfecting wipes to clean kitchen countertops, appliance tops and exteriors, the sink, cabinet fronts and switchplates," says Julie Edelman, author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a Clean-Enough House. Then grab the broom and go over the floor.

Clean your sofas.
A thorough once-over with the brush attachment on your vacuum and you're done, says Linda Cobb, author of Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean. Make sure to get under the cushions too, as well as the backs and sides of the sofas.

Unmake the bed.
Strip off the linens, use the vacuum attachment on the mattress and pillows, then toss the sheets in the washer, says Cobb.

Vacuum only high-traffic areas (near the front door, in front of sofas, etc).

By Ayn-Monique Klahre

WD's Guide to Buying Bedding

Buying a mattress is a tricky thing: Not only are there hundreds of styles to choose from, but ultimately, the only person who can decide if it's comfortable is…you. Here's what to consider when you're making this investment.

When to Buy
A few signs that you need a new mattress: You're not sleeping as well as you have in the past, you're waking up with aches and pains (especially in your lower back and spine) or the mattress looks saggy or lumpy (both are signs of overuse). If you realize that you sleep better in someone's guest room or at a hotel, that could be a sign, too. Experts recommend changing your mattress every 5 to 7 years, and more frequently as you get older, since after middle age, your body becomes more sensitive to pressure points.

Size Options
A twin-size bed is 38 x 75 inches; a full-size bed is 53 x 75 inches; a queen is 60 x 80 inches; a king is 76 x 80 inches; and a California king is 72 x 84 inches.