Blog Posts by Woman s Day

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

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By Angela Ebron

Cleaning Tasks That Take 15 Minutes or Less

No time to tidy up the house? No sweat. You can get a ton done in well under half an hour. Here, 15 cleanups 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).

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By Ayn-Monique Klahre

How to Buy a MattressWD'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.

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By Brynn Mannino

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple of decades, you've probably heard of Starbucks. After all, it's been around since 1971, and, as of today, there are 16,300 locations around the globe. Besides its unique sizing system (Tall! Grande! Venti!), there are plenty of other interesting things to learn about this leader of the gourmet coffee revolution. Check out the 10 most fascinating facts below.

1. There are over 87,000 drink combination possibilities.

We knew they had a big menu, but 87,000 options? In 2008, the company included this number as part of a full-page advertisement in two national newspapers. Starbucks spokeswoman Lisa Passe explained how they came up with it to a Wall Street Journal blogger: "If you take all of our core beverages, multiply them by the modifiers and the customization options, you get more than 87,000 combinations."

2. The Cinnamon Chip Scone has more calories than a Quarter Pounder.

In addition to

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By Mandy Major

The kids are scrambling to get ready for school, your keys have disappeared and then it hits you: lunch. You forgot to make it last night, and now you're elbow-deep in the fridge, hastily tossing together a meat-and-cheese sandwich with some chips and a juice box. It's a familiar story, and one that's all too easy to repeat day after jam-packed day. Unfortunately, this grind isn't just hard on you: It's also tough on your children, who are suffering from-and likely complaining about-lackluster meals that don't offer much flavor or nutrition. It's time to press the pause button and reset your lunch-making ways. With just a little planning and this list of revamped menus for inspiration, you'll be surprised at how simple brownbagging it can actually be.

Old Standby: Bologna Sandwich
New Favorite: Turkey Sandwich

Bologna is by-product heaven, providing more salt and cholesterol than anything of value. Try turkey instead, opting for roasted versus smoked. Roasted

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By Amanda Greene

For some reason-maybe it's the loud drills or uncomfortable mouth contortions-a visit to the dentist isn't considered to be the most pleasant way to spend an afternoon. But if you think it's all fun and games for your doctor, think again. There are plenty of things that you're doing-or not doing-that aren't exactly making your dentist smile. We talked to a bunch of docs to get the scoop on everything they wish you'd brushed up on before you arrived in their chair. Read on to improve your teeth health know-how as well as make your next appointment that much more enjoyable.

1. You probably aren't brushing enough.
"Most of my patients brush for less than a minute, leaving about half of the overnight plaque behind," says Robert Gerlach, DDS, MPH, a research fellow in Worldwide Clinical Investigations at Procter & Gamble. His advice: Brush for at least two minutes, twice daily and change your toothbrush every three months to get the best at-home care.

2.

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By Jordan Shakeshaft

Faced with dozens of different products promising to make your teeth fresher, whiter and cavity-free, it's no wonder you wander aimlessly down the toothpaste aisle. To help you pick wisely, we turned to the pros for the scoop on what ingredients to look for, whether gel or paste formulas are right for you and just how much you need to squeeze onto your brush. It's never too late to get your pearly whites in tip-top shape, so read on to find out how!

1. It's all about the fluoride.
With a host of ingredients in toothpaste, it's easy to lose sight of what's essential. But no matter what your individual needs are (i.e., tartar control, whitening, breath-freshening and so on), dental hygienists agree that fluoride is a must. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. "Even in areas where there is water fluoridation, the added fluoride in toothpaste has been

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By WomansDay.com Staff

Forget the fancy gadgets and high-priced fashions, the best workout gear should keep you as comfortable as possible while you're on the move. Whether that means choosing thExercise Apparel Dos and Don'tse best fits to avoid chafing and blisters, or learning how to care for your apparel to prevent wear and tear, check out these essential tips to make your workout gear work for you.

Don't toss your workout shoes once they've lost their support. Recycle them at NikeReuseaShoe.com, which accepts any brand of athletic shoe.

Do wash workout clothes separately in cold water on the delicate cycle and then air-dry. This extends the fabric's life and prevents shrinkage.

Check out the best sports bras by cup size.

Don't wear bulky socks. There shouldn't be any folds of excess fabric, otherwise you may end up with nasty blisters. Make sure socks fit snugly.

Do avoid tight-fitting elastic around your arms, shoulders, neck, waist and ankles. These are prime areas for chafing.

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