Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Annie Finnigan Turn Your Idea into a Business

You have a great idea and you're ready to dive in. But before you take the plunge, follow four steps that will save you time, money and a lot of heartache.

1. Imagine It

Figure out if this is really what you want to do.

"You don't have to have a passion for your particular product or service," says real estate guru and star of ABC's Shark Tank Barbara Corcoran. "But you must be excited about making your business a success, which gives you the stamina you need to get through the ups and downs."

Is the business a good fit with your life? To find out, try the U.S. Small Business Administration's Starting Up Assessment Tool, which evaluates your skills, personal traits and experience.

Take this quiz to find out what your undiscovered passion is.

2. Research It

To determine if your idea is a winner, you need to know if it fills a need, and if there is a market for it. You also need business sense. So talk to everybody. "Don't be afraid to

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by Alexandra Gekas

Fall for It

Autumn is just around the corner, which means it's time to change out those colorful maxis and breezy sundresses for more structured sheaths and darker prints. To help ease your transition into cooler temperatures, here are our favorite, affordable fall frocks.

Fine Print

Just because the temperature's dropping doesn't mean you can't go sleeveless. Wear this pleated print dress under a blazer and roll up the sleeves for a look that's casual but sophisticated. Gap Pleated Print Dress; $59.95, Gap.com. Photo: © courtesy of Gap

Get Michelle Obama arms with this home workout routine.

All in the Details

Structured shoulders and an exposed zipper in the back give this knitted frock a much more tailored look than the classic sweater dress. Pair it with tights and knee-high boots and you'll stay warm in style. Gap Pleated Knit Dress; $59.95, Gap.com. Photo: © courtesy of Gap

Animal Attraction

A drawstring

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By Brynn Mannino

It's easy to feel intimidated by fashion shows: How do regular people (read: non-models) actually wear jumbo-size bows or see-through shirts off the runway? The truth is, the artistic creations you see gliding down the catwalk are meant to inspire your fashion choices for the coming season, not scare you from trying something new. To help take the guesswork out of turning runway looks into reality, we've identified nine popular fall trends-from fur gilets to sheer pleated skirts-and found affordable, more conventional ways to wear them. Check out the trends below and select the wallet-friendly separates you'd like to add to your closet this fall.

Fuller Leather Skirts

Designers like Rachel Comey introduced a new, casual take on the leather skirt this year. By creating a looser-fitting version of the tight pieces popular in seasons past, the look became much more accessible for everyday wear. You can make this runway look your own by pairing a chic, more

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By Amanda Greene 10 Tips from College Admissions Officers

Between studying for the SATs, crafting the perfect application essay and, of course, figuring out how to pay for tuition, college prep can be tough on both teens and their families. That's why we spoke to admissions officers across the country to get the inside scoop on ways students can improve their odds during the application process. From scheduling interviews to applying early action, read on for 10 tips from the people who decide who's in-and who's not.

1. Don't limit your school options.
While it's exciting to have a top school in mind, if your child only wants to apply to one institution, encourage her to broaden her perspective. "Ultimately, students are going to be successful at a number of different types of colleges," says Jay Murray, director of Admissions at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. "Plenty of schools will offer the kind of academic opportunities that each student is looking for, as well as give her the chance to grow

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by Dana Sullivan

Bothersome bladder problems, alarming odors, hair growing in all the wrong places. We all have issues that we're too embarrassed to bring up with anyone-including our doctors. But rest assured, your doc has heard it all before. "It's our job to help you, not judge you," says Laura Dean, MD, a spokeswoman for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists who practices in Stillwater, Minnesota. Still, inquiring about a delicate health problem can be uncomfortable. That's why we decided to start the conversation for you by asking experts to address six common blush-worthy complaints.

Q: Sometimes I pee a little when I laugh or run, but I don't want to take medication. Should I even bother mentioning this to my doctor?

A: Absolutely, says ob-gyn Lissa Rankin, MD, author of What's Up Down There? And in fact, medication doesn't work for stress incontinence, which is what you're describing. Stress incontinence-the most common form of incontinence in women,

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By Winnie Yu How Weight-Loss Surgery Changed Their Lives

Photo: © Flynn Laren/Woman's Day

Brooke Simons Mahoney and Jacqueline Halliday-Jordan had a lot in common-including the fact that they were both morbidly obese. After a lifelong struggle, they decided to have gastric bypass surgery together.

On a chilly morning in November 2008, Brooke Simons Mahoney got up at 5:30, put on some comfy sweats and headed to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York, where she was scheduled to have gastric bypass surgery. Brooke, now 48, had been preparing for this moment for months. She was carrying 359 pounds on her 5'10" frame.

Across town, Jackie Halliday-Jordan, her best friend since the seventh grade, had also woken up early. The 48-year-old said a prayer and then headed to the hospital so that the same doctor could operate on her right after he was done with Brooke. At 5'5", Jackie weighed 289 pounds.

Meet eight men and women who blogged the weight off.

The two friends had spent an hour on the phone with each

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by Amanda Greene

Refreshing your fall wardrobe is one of the best parts of the season. But this year, instead of stocking your closet with the usual suspects-pencil skirts, button-down shirts and blue jeans-try these updated versions, which are guaranteed to become your new seasonal go-tos.

Buttoned Up
Swap your crisp white button-down for this season's "it" shirt: the blouse. Relaxed and feminine, blouses offer a flattering drape that traditional work shirts don't, and they look just as professional under suit jackets. This slightly sheer version is 100% silk with modern details like buttoned epaulets and exposed front seams. Silk Camp Shirt, $79.50; BananaRepublic.com. Photo: © courtesy of Banana Republic



Check out five stylish ways to wear a blazer.





Yes, Pleats
Give your pencil skirt a break. For a tailored look with a comfortable fit, turn to pleats, instead. Not only will they give you plenty of room to move around, but the A-line style will make your legs look slim. Just beRead More »from 8 New Fall Classics

5 Things You Need to Do Before a Disaster Strikes

by Arianne Cohen

Amidst recent headlines of an earthquake rattling Virginia and warnings of a hurricane approaching the East Coast this weekend, there's no denying that natural disasters in the U.S. are on the rise. In fact, in the first half of this year alone there were more than 1,000 preliminarily reported tornadoes, with more than 530 fatalities. That's why it's more important than ever to stay prepared for potentially hazardous conditions. Below, find five must-follow steps that will ensure that your family will be ready to weather any floods, tornadoes or hurricanes headed to your area.

1. Pick an emergency contact.
If you only do one thing after reading this article, make it this: Take 5 minutes to designate a relative or friend who lives in another part of the country as an emergency contact, says Paulette Aniskoff, the director of individual and community preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It's crucial that the contact live far

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