Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Woman's Day Staff


woman with arms in the air

How to Tone Your Arms

If the strategy for dealing with your upper arms involves equal parts concealment (cardigans in August? Sure!) and diversion ("Don't you love my new shoes?"), you're not alone. "Over time, we all lose muscle tone and produce fewer skin-firming proteins like collagen and elastin," says Jeanine B. Downie, MD, a Montclair, NJ, dermatologist. The good news is that you can stop the sagging with these tips. Photo credit: Corbis

The Dermatologist's Diagnosis

When it comes to beautifying your arms, a great place to start is with sun protection. "If you're wearing short sleeves, smooth on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 to ward off UV damage, which can cause collagen to break down," says Dr. Downie. Also use a daily firming lotion and, at night, a vitamin E serum to boost collagen production (click to slide 5 to see our picks). Photo credit: Getty Images
Related: Check out 9 bad habits that are actually good for you.

The Read More »from Get Younger-Looking Arms

By Kirsten Fields

souvenier crafts

Super Souvenir Ideas

Why stash your vacation memories in a shoebox when you can show them off artfully? Try these creative suggestions for decorating your home with trip trinkets. Photo credits: Alexandra Rowley; prop styling by Karin Olsen

Keepsake Jars

MATERIALS

· Glue stick

· Photograph

· Thick paper or posterboard

· Scissors

· Clear wide-mouth containers (such as mason or pickle jars)

· Rocks or sand

· Three-dimensional objects

1. Glue the photograph onto the paper and allow it to dry. Trim around the edges of the picture as desired, leaving an inch of paper at the bottom.
Related: Reinvent yourself with 10 quick tricks.

2. Fill the bottom of the jar with rocks or sand. Insert the photograph into the rocks or sand, bending or folding the excess paper at the bottom to help it stand up.

3. Add other objects as desired.

Map-Matted Photos

MATERIALS

· Picture frame

· Map

· Pencil

·

Read More »from Showcase Your Souvenirs

By Charlotte Latvala

women looking at engagement ring You just got the news: Your friend is tying the knot for the second-or even third-time. And while it's a joyful occasion, it's not free of complications, says relationship expert April Masini. So some of your comments can hit a sore spot, even when that's not your intention. "If your pal has found Mr. Right, there's no reason to make her feel bad by quoting gloomy second marriage statistics to her, for instance," says Masini. "She's probably nervous as it is, even if she doesn't show it." That's why she needs you to be supportive-and stay away from the following remarks:
Photo credit: Thinkstock

1. "Wow, so soon?"

Even if the ink is barely dry on your pal's divorce papers, questioning her timing is a major no-no. "It makes it sound like you think your friend is getting married without thinking it through or taking the time to analyze the relationship carefully," says Terri Orbuch, PhD, author of Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and

Read More »from 10 Things Never to Say to Repeat Brides

By Yasmin Sabir

potato chip bags

What's in the Bag

There's more than one way to turn potatoes into chips-take a look at what's behind the terms you see on the package. And then read more to see why these chips outshone others in our taste test. Photo credits: Alexandra Rowley; food styling by Dona Meadow; prop styling by Karin Olsen

STANDARD Cooking potato chips conveyor-belt style in hot oil produces up to 5,000 pounds per hour.
Related: Tone your tummy with 6 sculpting exercises.

KETTLE-COOKED These are made in smaller batches (about 300 pounds per hour) and are thicker and crisper with a strong crunch.

TEXTURED With descriptions like ruffled, crinkle-cut, rippled and wavy, these chips have ridges that make them sturdier for less breakage when dipping.

BAKED Most types are a combination of potato flakes and rice, wheat or cornstarch, which is formed into chip shapes.

REDUCED-FAT These have at least 25% less fat than regular types. Our pick, Herr's, lowers the fat by

Read More »from The Best Potato Chips

By Madonna Behen

woman in hospital gown

Easier Doctors' Appointments

You've been putting off scheduling your gyno appointment for weeks. The flimsy gown, the stirrups...no matter how many times you've gone, you still feel vulnerable. As tempting as it is, delaying regular medical exams won't make them any better, since timely checkups can catch problems in their earliest stages when they're easiest to treat. Photo credit: Joe Luis Pelaez/Getty

Fortunately there are ways to make exams more comfortable. The first step is to call the doctor's office before your appointment and speak to a nurse or physician's assistant. "Often, it's the fear of the unknown that prevents people from scheduling a test like a colonoscopy, so ask for an overview of what to expect," says Sandra Cialfi, nurse manager of the endoscopy center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "We're more than happy to answer all of your questions in advance because it makes our job easier once you're here," she says. Knowledge

Read More »from Secrets to Stress-Free Doctors' Visits

By Melissa Matthews Brown


woman with mascara brush

Uh-Oh: "My mascara's clumpy"

While rushing through your morning routine, you swipe on mascara too quickly and end up creating a uni-lash. Photo credit: Shannon Greer; hair and makeup by Elisa Flowers for BA-Reps.com

FIX IT: Run the mascara brush over a soft handkerchief or microfiber towel (tissues can tear and leave pieces behind) to gently remove product buildup, repeating until the brush wipes clean. Then, place the wand at the base of your lashes and gently twirl as you pull it upward to separate them.

PREVENT IT: "If there's too much mascara on the brush, it can clump," explains Jennifer Paulson Lee, president of LashControl Mascara. To combat this, swirl the wand clockwise as you pull it out of the tube. Then, dab away the excess from the brush's tip.
Related: Apply makeup like a pro with 5 easy tricks.

Uh-Oh: "Cakey foundation is making my face look blotchy"

When you left the house this morning, you could swear your face

Read More »from Quick Makeup Fixes

By Woman's Day Staff

glass fishes, lobster bottle opener, yellow octopus dish scrubber, whale bath mat, round sea life of coasters

Beyond the Sea

Life's a beach when you fill your house with these maritime buys. And with prices these low, you can bring home a boatload. Read more for 11 practical items with an aquatic twist.

$4.95 for 30

A school of knickknacks that look great in a vase or decorative bowl, or scattered across a coffee table. Glass Fishies; CrateandBarrel.com.
Related: Find the perfect swimsuit for your shape.

$10

These freshly scented salts suds up under running water. Blue Ocean Bubble Bath Salts; SimpleandPureBath.Etsy.com.

$14.95

Guaranteed to be the talk of the cooler at your next cookout. Sea Life Bottle Opener; Paper-Source.com.

$16 for 4

Coasters that only look like a fancy store find, in dishwasher-safe melamine with sophisticated shell motifs. Thomas Paul Coasters; DayTripSociety.com.

$20

A fun take on a kitchen staple. Now Designs Aquatica Apron; 866-253-9001 for stores.
Related: Make cooking easier with these 8 ingenious

Read More »from Nautical Accessories Under $20

By Christine M. Porretta

woman tanning

Fact vs. Fiction
Should you swim with a full stomach? Let scrapes air out? Tinkle on a jellyfish sting? There once may have been some wisdom behind the advice (although probably not with the jellyfish sting), but many summer suggestions are outdated. With the lowdown from top experts, find out which warm-weather beliefs are based on real common sense-and which are complete nonsense. Photo credit: Getty Images












Myth: Put butter on a sunburn.

Truth: While butter's an accessible cool salve for a hot burn from cooking, you're better off saving your stick for your buns. "Butter is just moisturizer with no specific burn-healing properties," says Margaret E. Parsons, MD, an associate clinical professor in the dermatology department at the University of California, Davis. A better home cure? "Cool ice-milk compresses (crushed ice and milk on towels) are soothing," she says. "The coolness is anti-inflammatory, and the milk is mild and not acidic, so it won't

Read More »from 9 Summer Health Myths - Debunked