Blog Posts by Woman s Day

Get the facts before you adopt a deserving pooch.By Arricca Elin SanSone

Adopting a dog through a shelter or rescue group is a win-win. You save a life and gain a best friend; a dog gets another chance at happiness. But rescue dogs may require more time and TLC than new-to-the-world pups to become part of your family. Here's what to know to ensure a rescue dog finds a forever home with you. Photo by Thinkstock.

1. Only about 30% of pets are adopted.
The remaining 70% come predominantly from breeders and pet stores. "Even though people like the idea of adopting a pet, they're not adopting from shelters in large numbers," says Inga Fricke, Director of Shelter and Rescue Group Services with the Humane Society of the United States. Unfortunately, that means millions of shelter animals remain homeless or get euthanized each year. Consider the long-term commitment of adopting a dog to prevent your potential pet from ending up in this position. And make sure your new family member is spayed or neutered to control the population.

2.

Get advice for handling micromanagers, workaholics and more.By Samantha Toscano

How sad is this: The average employee will spend 19 hours a week (including six weekend hours) worrying about what her boss says and does, according to a survey commissioned by Lynn Taylor, author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant. Luckily, there are ways to cope with even the most mischievous of managers, as well as the ones with zero leadership skills. Take these expert-approved tips to the office to forge a healthy boss-employee relationship that could leave you loving your job. Photo by Getty Images.

1. The Micromanager
Such a hands-on boss tends to "squander her own time on re-do work or too much involvement in her reports' work," explains leadership expert Linda Henman. These perfectionist qualities may make you feel untrusted and creatively impeded, but Ask April founder and relationship exert April Masini suggests taking the extra attention as a compliment and feeling grateful for that kind of safety net. To cope, Taylor recommends

Nix these useless items from your routine to save time and moneyBy Anne Roderique-Jones

1. Toner
Women swipe this on their faces to get that tingly, tight, squeaky-clean feeling, but dermatologist Doris J. Day, MD, author of Forget the Facelift, says that toner is an unnecessary extra step in your daily routine. Newer soaps don't leave the residue that toner was invented to remove. "If toner makes you feel like you're getting your makeup off, it's fine to use it, but if you're busy like most women, skip it," says Dr. Day. Photo by iStock

2. Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner
Can't control the flakes? Over-the-counter hair products aren't the solution, according to celebrity hairstylist, Hikari Tezuka. They can actually dry out your scalp, making dandruff worse. If you suspect you have a medical condition like psoriasis or eczema, which tend to cause dandruff, speak with your doctor, otherwise, Tezuka recommends moisturizing your scalp the old-fashioned way: brushing your hair 100 times with a natural-bristle brush before you wash

Get advice for easing the most common concernsBy Dawn Papandrea

Fretting about your relationship doesn't end with pre-wedding jitters. It's quite common-and healthy-to have worries during the marriage, says Jane Greer, PhD, licensed marriage and family therapist, radio host and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness from Ruining Your Relationship. "Fears can be useful in heading off future problems. Take them seriously, and make them work for you rather than against you," she says. Here's help for overcoming 10 common marriage fears. Photo by Getty Images

"We'll eventually have nothing in common."

The honeymoon-phase excitement tends to fade "after around seven years when the partners are dealing with the stresses of young children," says Paul Hokemeyer, PhD, a New York-based marriage and family therapist. "That's when parents stop having sex, stop connecting emotionally and begin to have separate lives," he says. So double your efforts to feed your marriage during this period. "Propose something old that you can

Stash more cash to reach your savings goals fastBy MP Dunleavey Editor of DailyWorth.com

1. Pick a number

Strange to say, people often skip the obvious first step of deciding how much to save. That's because real numbers can be scary. "Let's save for a cool new fridge with an icemaker and extra freezer space" sounds fun. "Let's save $1,200" sounds like work. But getting a hard figure in your head is critical to making that new appliance (or whatever you want) a reality. It only takes a little basic math to solidify your goal. Photo by Getty Images

TRY THIS

Grab a pen and write down what you are saving for- that spacious and lovely new fridge, perhaps. Then...

RUN THE NUMBERS. Do some comparison shopping to find the best price.

DON'T FORGET THE EXTRAS. Add the taxes, delivery, registration, installation, shipping, insurance or whatever other annoying sub-charges come with whatever you're saving for. In your optimism, don't lowball yourself.

THINK AHEAD. If you're financing a big-ticket item, you need

By Woman'Keep your strands silky smooth no matter how many layers you wear this winters Day Staff

Baby, it's cold outside...and primetime for bundling up with scarves and hats. Fearful your hair will lose luster with all those extra layers? Wearing a cap doesn't mean you're doomed to lifeless locks. One way to tackle it-keeping fabric softener in your bag to calm flyaways in a jiffy, like reader Tina Squyres Miller from Mobile, AL, does. Keep reading for more tricks that will have you looking good all winter long. Photo by Getty Images.

Keep it Cut
Trim off dry and split ends every six to eight weeks to help your 'do bounce back quickly when you take off your hat.

Seal in Moisture
When hair is hydrated, it's less prone to frizz and static. A weekly deep conditioning will keep it looking good longer.

Related: Find out which short hairstyle is best for your face shape.

TRY: Vidal Sassoon Pro Series One Minute Mask Moisture Lock, $3.97; Amazon.com

Treat Your Tips
Use styling creams and serums only on the ends of your hair. If

Use this cleaning checklist to kill all the germs in your cooking zone.By Arricca Elin SanSone

Think your kitchen is squeaky clean? Not so fast. "Moisture and food particles make it the perfect environment for growing germs that can make you sick," says Kelly A. Reynolds, PhD, an environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health in Tucson. "If you're not killing them, you can go from 10 microbes to millions within 24 hours." And the more germs there are, the more likely you are to get sick from one. Here's where they're hiding and what you can do about it. Photo by Thinkstock.

Related: 9 Innovative Products Every Kitchen Should Have.

Your Coffee Maker
Coffee might not be the only thing brewing in there. The NSF found yeast and mold growing in about half the coffee pot reservoirs they surveyed. "These organisms can cause allergic responses in some people," says Dr. Donofrio-and make your coffee taste bad too, says Dr. Reynolds.

What to do: Once a month, fill the reservoir with vinegar and let it stand

By Stephanie Emma Pfeffer

Sometimes all it takes is a smart product to save your sanity. We rounded up some of our favorite new developments that are either out now or hitting shelves in the next few months. From high-tech devices to simple, wish-we'd-thought-of-that tools, these low-cost innovations (most under $50!) can help you feel healthier, safer or more prepared-all the while easing everyday life.

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