Blog Posts by Woman s Day

Helpful Household Gadgetry

Technology is supposed to make life easier, but sometimes a mass of complicated electronics can make you long for simpler times. It doesn't have to be so overwhelming-we've rounded up some great gadgets that will help you accomplish daily tasks faster. From uploading and sharing family photos you've had lying around forever to checking the weather forecast while making dinner, here are five ways to live a more streamlined life.

Wirelessly UplWirelessly Upload Your Photosoad Your Photos

Admit it-you still have photos on your digital camera from your summer vacation. Uploading your photos to your computer so you can share them online often gets pushed down on the to-do list in favor of more pressing concerns. But the Eye-Fi Home card takes out the middleman, er, cord. This memory solution can store up to 1,000 photos and lets you wirelessly upload your photos via any Wi-Fi network. Eye-Fi Home 2GB memory card, $49.99; Eye.fi

Charge YouCharge Your Gadgets Cord-Freer Gadgets Cord-Free

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A weekend spa retreat sounds heavenly, doesn't it? Two days of complete and total tranquility…OK, who are we kidding? Between work, the kids and the bank account, who can possibly pull this off? Good news: You don't really need one to relax and rejuvenate. With practice, you can boost your well-being practically anywhere, anytime. These easy, no-cost refreshers are the perfect way to start.

1. Wing It Once In a While14 Ways to Relax
If you're ruled by your to-do list, it's time to learn the art of anything goes. Contradictory as it sounds, you have to schedule spontaneity, at least at first, says life coach Cheryl Richardson, author of The Art of Extreme Self-Care. How? Plan a plan-free day: Put it on your calendar (in pen!) and when the time comes, let your freewheeling, creative, impulsive side call all the shots. Whatever you feel like doing that day, do it-no chores or responsible girl tasks allowed. Wake up and then go right back to bed. Watch a Real Housewives marathon. Spend an

By Sarah Jio

Sure, germs are everywhere, and being paranoid about them won't keep you from getting sick. But considering the amount of time we spend at our desks and in our offices, it doesn't hurt to be aware of the places where germs tend to congregate. Here are the nine germiest zones in most offices and what you can do about them.

Germ Haven #1: Computer Mouse and Keyboard

Barring an occasional visit from your company's tech guy, you're the only one who touches your mouse and keyboard, so how dirty could things get? In a word: very. "According to data, these are the worst offenders," says Donna Duberg, assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. The reason is simple, she says: People rarely clean them and it's unheard of for cleaning crews to go to that level of detail. So, take matters into your own hands and give your keyboard and mouse a weekly wipe down with disinfecting wipes after you turn your computer off.

By Sarah Jio

Whether you're postmenopausal, in the thick of it or just curious about what changes may be in store for you down the road, chances are you've wondered what "the change" may mean for your sex life. You've heard the rumors, but here's the truth.

Truth #1: Your Vagina Is Not Going to Shrivel Up Like a PruneThe Truth about Sex after Menopause
While the vagina does go through some changes during menopause due to loss of estrogen, much of the changes that happen are undetectable to the eye. In other words, there's no such thing as "shriveling," and you most certainly won't look like a prune. "Many women don't notice the changes at all," says Hope Ricciotti, MD, a gynecologist who teaches at Harvard Medical School and is a health expert at BeWell.com.

Even better news: Since blood flow to the vagina lessens after menopause, consider having sex to keep it at its best. "The vagina is a 'use it or lose it' place," explains Dr. Ricciotti. "The act of having intercourse stimulates blood flow to the vagina

By Denise Schipani

Into every marriage a little lying must fall. While some small fibs can be a sweet way to boost your man's ego, others may ultimately be harmful to your relationship. Here are eight common marriage lies and the verdict on the benefits or damage that bending the truth will cause.

Lie 1: You look great!
Verdict: Benign
If he's asked you how he looks in the suit he hasn't worn in a year, and you're already en route to a family wedding, telling him he looks fantastic (even if you wish he'd picked the tie without the dancing penguins) can't hurt, and may make the whole affair more fun for both of you. But if he can change, then go for honesty-with a smile, says Laurie Puhn, relationship expert and author of Instant Persuasion: How to Change Your Words to Change Your Life. Try, "You look so handsome in that suit, but I think the darker shirt would look even better."

Lie 2: Sex with you is the best I've ever had.
Verdict: Mostly benign
"I try never

By Brynn Maninno

Not everyone sits down to a bowl of cereal in the morning-or even an egg, bacon and cheese sandwich. In fact, America is one of the few countries that indulge in a separate type of cuisine for their morning meal. And while Western breakfast traditions have made their way onto tables all over the world, some meal traditions remain the same. From Japan's morning rice to India's fava-bean feast, check out 10 of the world's breakfast staples.

Huevos Motuleños

A hearty Mexican favorite, this breakfast dish originated in the Yucatán Peninsula and consists of two eggs on a fried tostada with tomatoes, ham, peas, plátanos maduros, queso fresco and, oftentimes, black beans. Photo courtesy of Jasmine via Flickr.com.

Platos Típicos

This typical El Salvadorian breakfast made of standard national foods includes fried sweet plantains, casamiento (black beans and rice in an onion sauce) and salsa. Photo courtesy of Liz Henry via Flickr.com.

Breakfast Tagine

By WomansDay.com Staff

We don't condone it, we just report it-and by "it" we mean modern pet grooming trends in popular practice, near and far. Have you ever seen a poodle groomed to look like a bison? Or a chow chow painted to personify a country's beloved endangered species? (We hadn't either.) Catch a glimpse of those two creations plus eight other wondrous pet-grooming fads below.

Red, White and Pooch

This dyed Westie was photographed mingling with the GOP outside the Republican National Convention-though we're not sure the D-O-G necessarily approves. Photo by Getty Images.

Pretty in Panda

The Giant Panda is a beloved species in China, so we assume painting a pup's fur to mimic the bear's appearance is the country's temporary, if not slightly crazed, way of honoring its significance. Photo courtesy of DailyMail.co.uk.

Body Mohawk

We don't know whether we owe this trend to pop star Rihanna or celebrity tot Maddox Jolie-Pitt, but the spiked hairstyle seems to

By Denise Schipani

Friendship woes don't end in junior high. We all mess up sometimes and end up hurting a friend's feelings. But now that we're adults, we can forgive each other as long as we know the mess-up wasn't intentional. If you've ever forgotten your pal's birthday, or had an eye on her ex, here's how to make things right and move on.

Faux Pas #1: You Forgot Her BirthdayHow to Mend a Friendship

The moment you realize the date got away from you, "offer an apology, but not an excuse," says Irene Levine, PhD, professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, and author of Best Friends Forever. An "oops" birthday card or gift and an offer to buy her a drink or lunch are good moves. Remember, too, that how much your friend is hurt by your forgetfulness depends on her birthday-importance meter. If she's super-sensitive (what Dr. Levine calls a "birthday princess"), you may have to work harder to get back in her good graces.

Faux Pas #2: You Don't Like Her Husband

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