Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Jordan Shakeshaft

book and a cocktail

Sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than sitting back with a great book. That is, until you discover a deliciously fitting cocktail to go with it. Featuring all the vibrant colors, textures and flavors of the author's singular world, each of these mouthwatering mixed drinks has the power to transport you beyond the written word. And that's not just the alcohol talking. Check out 10 lit-enhancing cocktails that will take these reads to new heights. Photo credit: Shuttershock

Sweet, citrusy and refreshing, the Caipirinha (pronounced kai-peh-REEN-ya)-a cachaça-based cocktail muddled with sugar and fresh lime-is best known as Brazil's beloved national drink. Perhaps that's why it pairs so well with the lush and enchanting Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon-a tale of unlikely romance between a rich Syrian bar owner and the poverty-stricken Brazilian woman he hires as his chef, who soon blossoms into an unmatched beauty

By Arricca Elin SanSone

jack russell terrier in crate

Before You Leave:

Ask yourself if your pet travels well.

"Cats and dogs like routine," says Bernadine Cruz, DVM, an associate veterinarian at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in Laguna Woods, CA, and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "If your pet gets upset in the car or in unfamiliar surroundings, he'll be happier not accompanying you." (But if you'll board him for the first time, get your vet's recommendation for a reliable facility and acclimate your pet to the setting by boarding him overnight before a longer stay.) Pets that are very young, very old or have serious

By Woman's Day Staff

woman's smiling face

If it feels like no matter how much moisturizer you slather on, your face still looks blotchy, irritated and dry, there's a good reason. "Our skin naturally loses moisture and gets thinner as we age, causing it to become much more fragile and susceptible to inflammation," says New York City dermatologist Craig Austin, MD. But you don't have to see red. These three brilliant solutions can help keep your skin flare-up free. Photo credit: Corbis

"An easy way to stop adverse reactions is to avoid what triggers them," explains Neal Schultz, MD, a New York City dermatologist. Steer clear of long, hot showers and cleansers containing solvents like mineral oil or petrolatum, which can strip your skin of its natural oils, drying it out and causing ruddiness. Toss any skincare products with artificial dyes and fragrances, as both are common irritants. Photo credit: iStock
Check out 8 bizarre beauty tricks.

By Alina Dizik

women at the gym

Overcoming Jealousy

As thrilled as you are that your inner circle consists of successful, happy women, it's normal to question whether you're as successful and happy as they are. "Women instinctively compare themselves to their friends," explains Irene Levine, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine and author of Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend. "When a friend has more of something or does something better-whether it's looks, a career, a family or money-it's natural to feel some degree of jealousy." But competition can cause you to be aggressive toward your pal or avoid her completely. "Being aware of your envy is a good first step because you can devise strategies to overcome the negative consequences of that feeling," says Dr. Levine. Not sure how to deal with your competitive streak? Try these solutions for beating seven common jealousy triggers. Photo credit: Getty Images

By Alexandra Gekas

Seasonal Deals

While sundresses, sandals and beach gear may be on your mind right now, you should be thinking about making some less-obvious buys when it's warm out. That's because the summer offers some of the best deals of the year on items like cars, grills and furniture. Read on to learn where you can get steep discounts this season and help your bottom line over the rest of the year. Photo credit: Thinkstock; iStock

Summer is a great time to get a new set of wheels because it's the end of the annual production schedule and peak selling season. That means there are lots of rebates, incentives and additional buyer programs to save you around 10% to 15%, according to Sarah Lee Marks, automotive consumer advocate and founder of car-buying guide MyCarLady.com. Just get on it as soon as possible. "The model year build cycle has become considerably shorter, so cars come with better incentives earlier in summer rather than the historical Labor Day sale,"

By Dawn Papandrea

man on computer with woman in backgroundHere's a stat to dislike: Nearly one-third of divorce filings in 2011 mentioned the word Facebook, according to a survey from Divorce-Online, a British legal service. "You can't blame Facebook for divorce, but it will exploit cracks that are already there," says Charles J. Orlando, relationship expert and author of The Problem with Women... is Men. So does using Facebook doom your marriage? Hardly. Even Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg's status recently went from single to married. Before your marital status takes a turn toward "It's complicated," try these expert strategies to protect your relationship. Photo credit: Thinkstock

1. Go beyond just being friends with your spouse.

Befriending your spouse and sharing your relationship status on Facebook are no-brainers, but go one step further, suggests Julie Spira, author of The Rules of Netiquette: How to Mind Your Manners on the Web . "Both you and your spouse should be digitally proud of your marriage.

By Lauren Smith

Tropical cocktails are a rite of summer-delicious and refreshing. The problem is, the calories can push your diet over the edge. To counter this, we've come up with some less-indulgent versions of classic seasonal favorites. Enjoy! Photo credit: Shuttershock

By Woman's Day Staff

Sing You Home

Knowing what an author's choice reads are is like getting a glimpse into their mind. So we couldn't resist the opportunity to check out the literary picks of best-selling author Jodi Picoult, who recently released her 18th novel, Sing You Home, about the challenges same-sex couples face when marrying and adopting. (She is also the author of My Sister's Keeper, which hit the big screen in 2009.) Read through to see the writing that Picoult loves, as well as the authors she's looked up to along her own novel journey. Photo credit: Atria Books

"Hemingway's 1920s tale of jealousy among five men in love with the same woman entranced me with its short, direct writing-what's not said is more important than what is said." Photo credit: Simon and Schuster
Learn 10 things your husband's friends won't tell you.

"My go-to children's book, this story flips the