Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Woman's Day Staff

Danielle Steel

Steel's Loves

A powerhouse author, Steel has penned more than 100 best-selling novels-and she's still going. Her latest work, Hotel Vendome, will be released November 1. But churning out dazzling fiction isn't her only hobby; the popular novelist also loves to revel in the work of others. Click through to see which tomes have inspired her the most. Photo credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

One of fiction's earliest portrayals of a strong, independent woman. "I love the humanity of Bronte's work." Photo credit: Len Lagrua/Woman's Day

Decode the body language of people around you.

It's Your Time by Joel Osteen

"This book makes you feel as though you can make something better of yourself and your life, no matter what has happened to you." Photo credit: Len Lagrua/Woman's Day

Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan

Published when the author was just 18, this novel is about the power struggle between a young girl and

Read More »from Danielle Steel’s All-Time Favorite Reads

By Woman's Day Kitchen

burgers on the grill

Make the Perfect Burger

Ketchup, fine. Cheese, sure. But why not take your patties to a happier place with surprising fixings that will please every palate? No matter which of the following five fabulous burgers you cook up, these grilling tips will guarantee patty perfection. Photo credit: iStock

1 Heat grill to medium-high. Start with 1 1/4 lb ground chuck (we like 85% lean) and gently form into 4 balls. Don't overwork the meat-this can result in a tough, dry burger.

2 Flatten each ball into a 3/4-in.-thick patty. Make sure the top and sides are the same thickness throughout.

3 Using your thumb, make a shallow 1½-in.-wide indent in the top of each patty (this will help the burgers maintain their shape while they cook). Season the patties with ½ tsp each salt and pepper.

4 Lightly oil the grill. Place the patties on the grill, indent-side facing up, and cook until the burgers release easily from the grill, 4 to 5 minutes (don't press or

Read More »from 5 Bigger (and Better) Burgers

By Woman's Day Staff

family walking outdoors

Summer Love

Hello, summer! To make the most of it, read our best advice from over the years for every sunshiny-day activity, from backyard cookouts to fun getaways. Photo credit: Thinkstock

For the King of Cookouts

1 | Simplify the menu. Try to make everything ahead so you have only one last-minute food to prepare, in addition to grilling. July 1991 Photo credit: iStock

2 | Charcoal is ready for cooking when it's covered with white ash. September 1979

3 | Space food evenly on the grill and two to three fingers' width apart. About a quarter of the grill should be left empty, so you have room to move food away from any flare-ups. June 2011

4 | Find and remove all standing water. A few flowerpot saucers can produce enough mosquitoes for the whole neighborhood. July 2010

5 | Barbecued foods are messy; balancing plates and glasses is hard. Make sure every guest has a seat at a table. July 1991

6 | Figure a little more than a pound of meat

Read More »from 75 Tips for Summer Fun

By Woman's Day Staff

woman getting a facialYou'd be amazed at all the beauty freebies you can snag. We've rounded up our five favorites.

Mario Badescu Skincare First-time customers: Fill out a questionnaire (is your skin oily or dry? do you have wrinkles?) at MarioBadescu.com. You'll get four to six sample products tailored to your skin type in the mail. Photo credit: Getty

Benefit Cosmetics Swing by one of Benefit's Brow Bars on your birthday to receive a complimentary brow wax-just present an ID card with your birth date on it. Visit BenefitCosmetics.com to find a location near you.

See the best short hairstyle for you.

Olay Professional Pro-X Sign up at Olay.com/Skin-Analyzer and you'll receive a special headband. Snap and upload onto Olay's site a picture of yourself wearing it and get a personalized skin analysis. Repeat the process every few months to see if the skincare products you use-whether Olay or not-are working.

Merle Norman Cosmetics A free facial? You bet! Stop by one of Merle Read More »from Score Free Beauty Products and Treatments!

By Alyssa Shaffer

The Gastroenterologist Says: Check for GERD

If you have heartburn more than twice a week, you could have a condition called GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. With GERD, the muscles in the lower part of your esophagus (which connects your stomach to your throat) don't fully close after you eat or drink, so the food, along with stomach acid, splashes back up into your esophagus. This is what gives you those unpleasant symptoms, including a pain or burning in your chest and/or the feeling that food is stuck behind your breastbone Photo credit: Shuttershock

Some people also experience a sore throat or coughing, or have trouble swallowing. Over time, stomach acid can damage the lining of your esophagus, which can put you at risk for ulcers and even a precancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus, so it's important to treat it.

Find out which foods are best for every body part.

Making some basic lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking

Read More »from How to Tame Heartburn

By Woman's Day Staff

bright home and wardrobe accessories

Brighten Up Your Day

Make a splash this summer with these 13 brightly hued bargains for your home and wardrobe. Photo credit: Factory Direct, Lulu's, All The Rage, PetCo, Sur la Table

Mood Lighting

Hang a few from the trees for stylish outdoor dining. Catalina Cove Floral Paper Lantern, $6.95; Pier1.com for stores. Photo credit: Pier 1

Feel better with 7 mood-boosting foods.























Pare It Down

This paring knife's nonstick blade and sturdy handle make for controlled cutting. The sheath protects blade and fingers when you're done. Kuhn Rikon Nonstick Paring Knives, $12 each; FactoryDirect2You.com. Photo credit: Factory Direct

Colors of the Rainbow

A simple way to add a shot of color (every one in the rainbow, in fact) to your basics. Multi Color Thread Wrap Bangle, $13; AlltheRageOnline.com. No longer available. Photo credit: All the Rage

Strap Yourself In

Forget the flip-flops. For a few dollars more, you can snag stylish gladiator sandals with

Read More »from 13 Summer Finds Under $20

By Karen Ansel, RD, and Abigail L. Cuffey

Here's how it works:

If you could design your dream diet, what would it include? Lots of variety so meals and snacks never get boring? Plenty of treats? A day to cheat a little? Well, we hear you-and we've worked all that into our program. Follow this easy plan for a month and enjoy real food (not just rice cakes and cottage cheese), your favorite treats, even a glass of wine. The keys: smaller portions, more protein and healthier carbs. Just mix and match one breakfast, lunch and dinner plus two treats for six days of the week. Then, on day seven, indulge with a cheat day. Photo credit: Thinkstock

Breakfast

300 CALORIES PER SERVING

1. Peanut butter and apple quesadilla: 8" whole-wheat tortilla + 1 Tbsp peanut butter + 1 sliced apple

2. Apricot ricotta breakfast sundae: 1 cup nonfat ricotta cheese + pinch nutmeg + ½ tsp agave nectar + 4 chopped apricots

3. 1 egg scrambled in 1 tsp oil; 1 whole-wheat bagel thin; 1 turkey

Read More »from Your Summer Weight-Loss Plan

By Woman's Day Staff

Summer Crafts

Summer Fun

Check out three easy crafts you can do this summer! Photo credit: Ericka McConnell/Woman's Day

Whip Up a Ring-Toss Game with the Kids

Pour 1 Tbsp acrylic paint into a clean 12-oz glass soda bottle (choose one with a label that can be removed).

Roll bottle to distribute paint; invert it to allow excess to drip out. Set bottle upright and let dry. Repeat with 10 or 11 more bottles, using 3 paint colors. Arrange bottles in a fruit crate.

Loosen screw on a 3" embroidery hoop (typically $1-$3 each) and discard outer ring. Apply a dab of hot glue to outside of inner ring. Attach a piece of yarn and wrap it around the ring; cut off excess and secure end. Repeat with 11 more embroidery hoops, using 4 yarn colors.

Set up bottles and play! Photo credit: Miki Duisterhof/Woman's Day

See clever uses for 15 household items.

Update Last Year's Flip-Flops

1. Dot 6 to 7 equally spaced drops of puff paint on both straps of each rubber flip-flop.

Read More »from 3 Simple Summery Crafts