Blog Posts by Woman s Day

Throw a festive get-together on the cheap with these fresh dollar-store finds.By Laura Fenton

Like what you see? Everything here comes from the dollar store! Votives ($1.19 each; Dollar Store), bowls and plates (99¢ each; 99¢ Only), glasses ($10 for a 16-piece set) and cutlery ($10 for a 48-piece set; Dollar General). Look for similar items at your local store, and read through for more great buys.
Photo by Mark Weinberg, Studio D; craft styling by Laura Fenton; prop styling by Frances Bailey.

Related: Discover 9 buys that are cheaper online.

Crepe Paper Streamers
Streamers-they're not just for kiddie parties anymore. Typically sold two to a pack, they're your secret weapon for inexpensive party decor. Make the flower embellishment (the napkin holder featured in the photo), or create any of these easy crafts.

Drink stirrers: To turn streamers and wooden skewers into fun drink stirrers, snip one side of a 2" length of streamer into a fringe. Roll the non-fringe side tightly around one end of the skewer to make a tassel. Secure with a dot of craft glue.

By Woman's Day Staff Keep your furball fit with these indoor activities and cold-weather tips.

The cold and snow can make exercising with your dog difficult, but it's far from impossible. To keep her in shape, try these creative solutions. Just don't forget to refill the water bowl. Dogs need to drink before, during and after any activity, even in winter. Photo by Getty Images.

1. Play indoor fetch.
Make it more challenging by throwing a tennis ball up the stairs-your dog's legs will get a good workout. Plus, she'll love the extra playtime and attention.

Related: Check out the 10 best fitness DVDs.

2. Build an obstacle course.
Arrange pet toys and soft, safe objects (like your couch cushions) throughout your living room for her to move around, scootch under or jump over. Encourage her to navigate through the course with a reward.

Related: Try these healthy afternoon snacks that keep you full.

3. Gear up!
You can go outside, as long as you're prepared. In snowy areas rock salt can hurt her paws, so wipe her feet with a warm

Express your gratitude to the armed forces with these rewarding ideas Read more: Support the Troops - How to Help the Military - Woman's Day By Marlisse Cepeda

Though some servicemen and women may be thousands of miles away, there's plenty you can do from right where you are to show you're thankful for their brave efforts. Sure, you can donate money to any of the worthy military organizations, but many of the foundations that follow offer more direct ways to give back to those who fight for our country. Read through to find your favorite way to help. Photo by Thinkstock.

1. Send books and more.
There's nothing better than a good read, right? Service members think so, too, despite their limited downtime. After signing up with Books for Soldiers, you'll be able to see soldiers' requests via forums for books, comic books, DVDs and magazines. If you own one of the sought-after items or want to pick it up for a soldier, just send it where the service member asks-the organization suggests using flat-rate boxes from the USPS. If you're interested in sending gifts to multiple soldiers at once, check out the forum for

Discover unusual tactics dating sites now use to match you up.By Kristi Dosh

While the days of creating an online dating profile or swinging by a speed dating event aren't over, companies have had to get more creative to attract users. And the results are often hilarious. You can now sniff out your soul mate by smelling dirty laundry (yes, really), find singles within a 100-yard radius of your location right this minute and more. Click through for the scoop on the 10 wackiest ways to find your match. Photo by Thinkstock.

1. Date My Friend Parties

These gatherings go by a variety of names ("Friend-of-a-Friend," "Stock the Pond," "Date My Friend"), but the concept is the same: Everyone brings a single friend of the opposite sex with them to the party. The idea is to meet people who've presumably been vetted by someone in the group. One problem: "You need a matchmaker/fairy godmother type swishing around the room making introductions," says Laura Schreffler, author of Internet Dating 101: It's Complicated…But It Doesn't Have to Be! She sat at

By Donna Try these tips that make squirreling away cash painless and even fun.Freedman

All the personal finance gurus (and your mother) have told you to save for future emergencies. But making it a reality-given that you're overdue for a haircut and food prices are rising fast-is easier said than done. Besides, many people have a mental block against putting away money, even when they have a few extra bucks. Click through to find ways you can fool yourself into saving without feeling the day-to-day pinch. Photo by Getty Images.

1. Groupon the necessities.
Whenever you see something you truly need (such as new glasses or teeth cleaning) on Groupon or Living Social, grab the deal. Then figure out what you would have spent full price, and bank the difference.

Related: Discover these 9 buys that are cheaper online.

2. Recruit online cheerleaders.
Rally your friends on Facebook or Pinterest to support your money-saving progress, then return the favor. Either start a group on Facebook to cheer one another on, or snap a pic of your

Avoid these post-marital missteps to stay in your kids' good graces.By Natasha Burton

Marriages come and go, but divorce is forever, to quote the late, great Nora Ephron. While you may be able to move on to another man, your children will always be tied to you and your ex-and any drama from that relationship. With this in mind, adult children of divorce share what bothered them as kids-and still irks them today-about their parents' post-split behavior. Plus, experts weigh in on what divorced parents should do instead. Photo by Thinkstock.

Related: Check out these 10 things husbands should never do.

1. Badmouthing the other parent.
Stacey's parents divorced when she was 18, and they disparaged each other for years. "The destruction of the family is painful enough without being involved in the parents' marital strife," she says. Negative talk damages children's self-esteem, adds Susan Saper Galamba, a divorce and family attorney in Overland Park, KS. "Whether it's genetics or environment, a child's bound to have attributes of both

By Woman's Day Staff

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Pick up tips for saving on dry cleaning, never losing buttons and more. By Tracy Saelinger

1. COME ON A WEDNESDAY FOR DEALS

Many dry cleaners offer specials on Wednesdays, which is typically the slowest drop-off day (Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays are the busiest), says Rick Armstrong, executive director of the Midwest Dry Cleaning and Laundry Association. Some stores also offer customer loyalty cards for discounts or free cleanings for first-time customers. Photo by Getty.

Related: Discover 9 buys that are cheaper online.

2. DON'T WAIT
It's easy to let weeks go by before taking your clothes to the cleaners. But don't put it off, says Anne Nash, president of Highland Cleaners in Louisville, KY. "Even if no stains are visible, oils and impurities will break down and yellow fabrics." And if insects get to them, they'll loosen fibers, causing holes.

3. RESIST THE URGE TO PRETREAT
"Home stain removers can fade the color, which we can't restore," says Armstrong. So hand your item over to the pros for them to work their magic. "Whether