Organize your closet with these simple tips:

1. You need to be able to see what you're doing. Move everything onto the bed and separate those items that need to visit the tailor or cobbler.
2. Put your favorite pieces back in the closet, sorted into categories. Place those you wear the most (office pants, jeans, day dresses) in the most accessible location.
3. Once items are sorted by category, sort them by color.
4. Invest in uniform hangers; we like the super-thin Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers for tops (available at hsn.com) and basic clips for skirts and pants.
5. Shoes should be arranged in clear, stacking drawers or a wire grid system on the back of the closet door. Shoe Repair 101: Tips for keeping your shoes in shape.
6. All sweaters should be buttoned, folded, and stacked, with the bulkiest on the bottom to create sturdy piles. Wardrobe Tip: How to get wrinkles out of sweaters.
7. Make sure all of your clothing is clean before submitting it to long-term storage in

Bob Hiemstraby Kate Betts

1. Steal a trick from men: Always have a tuxedo on hand. Or at least a tuxedo jacket. My worst moments of panic come when I'm faced with a last-minute black-tie event for work. Since I'm not quite equipped to slip into a sample-size ball gown and waltz out the door, I often rely on a 10-year-old tuxedo jacket that fits perfectly and can be worn over cropped velvet pants and great evening shoes. This makes even more sense if you attend formal affairs only once in a while: Rather than buying a dress you'll never wear again, you can reach for your timeless tux. In between, you can use the jacket to dress up jeans for weekend dinners out.

2. Stash a strapless bra in the dresser drawer. Even if you're the type who can slip into an evening dress, make sure you have the proper undergarments. I remember spending a lot of time and money to refit a strapless gown for a special occasion only to find at the last minute that I didn't have the right bra. It was quite a letdown

by Zack O'Malley Greenburg

Ten urban centers closely associated with unmitigated joy.

Ever since Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers appeared in the 1933 film Flying Down to Rio, the world has been fascinated with Rio de Janeiro. Popular perception of the city is infused with images of starry-eyed youngsters dancing into the dusk, backed by imposing mountains and dark sea.

That view has propelled Rio to the top of our list of the world's happiest cities. Famous for its annual Carnaval festival (starting Feb. 13 next year), the second-largest metropolis in South America finished first among 50 cities in a recent survey conducted by Simon Anholt, an author and policy adviser.

"Brazil is associated with all these qualities of good humor and good living and Carnaval," says Anholt. "Carnaval is very important--it's the classic image that people have of Rio, and it's an image of happiness."

Next on the list is the top city from Down

It seems like all we hear these days is how we should lose weight, exercise, and get a little "work" done. Don't get me wrong, I am all for improving your self-image. You should be able to do whatever makes you feel good about yourself. Having a healthy self-image boosts your confidence and can help you achieve all of your goals, but let's keep it in perspective. We should exercise and eat right because it makes us feel great and keeps us healthy. Wouldn't it be easier to just love ourselves the way we are? It would save us a lot of time, money and heartache.

Here are 5 reasons you should love yourself just the way you are!

1. Your body is such a powerful machine. Think about it. It keeps you living, breathing, thinking, and your heart pumping all day long. That deserves some credit!

2. We all think it's so much easier for our bodies to gain weight than it is to lose it. This couldn't be more wrong! The fact is that your body processes calories all the same. It may be easier for

We're moms, so we get it… just figuring out what quick-n-easy dish to cook up for family dinners is challenging enough - much less bringing some excitement to the dinner table. Here, a few of our favorite ideas for spicing things up. Tailor the ideas to suit your time line, budget, and the ages of your kids. And by all means, make the kids part of the fun-planning process.

• Paper Play Take a cue from bistros and casual family-style restaurants by covering the table with a roll of art paper. Then place cups of crayons on the table and let everyone dig in with some doodling while they dine.
• Customized Cuisine Cook up a feast that each member of the family can customize to their own liking. Start with plain cheese quesadillas, bowls of pasta, or individual pizzas - then fill the table with bowls of roasted veggies, grated cheese, crumbled bacon, toasted pine nuts, fresh herbs, and other goodies so each person can have a blast creating their own mouthwatering masterpiece.

Try these sure-fire diet boosters...
It's no secret that the key to successful weight-loss and healthy weight maintenance is to keep that metabolism revving, fueled by energy and nutrition-rich foods, dietary supplements and an active lifestyle. And, "a little strategy can go a long way toward keeping a diet and weight-loss initiative on track - particularly when the going gets tough," notes Dr. Britta Zimmer, chief health officer at nutrition supplement purveyor GoodElements.com.

Follow these steps to kick your metabolism into high gear and keep those temptations in check:

1. Eat thermogenic foods daily: Foods with natural fat burning properties, such as cayenne, ginger, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon, green tea, hot peppers, citrus fruits (especially lemon), and apple cider vinegar, can really help take - and keep - those pounds off when eaten on a regular daily basis.

2. Optimize your digestion: Break down your food properly and more efficiently so your cells may best

Katja Govorushchenko/iStockYour boss is screaming at you, anxiety is pulsing through your veins, and there's no time to get to a yoga class. What can you do to eliminate stress at the moment of impact? Try out these simple stress-busting exercises...

• Clean up quickly: Give away stuff you don't use. According to the Wall Sreet Journal, the average executive pilfers six weeks a year searching for important documents buried in clutter. Combat stress by clearing your desktop of items that you don't use on a daily basis. Store everything else in drawers, on shelves, or in your supply closet. If you don't use something -- those kitschy bulletin board push pins a client sent for Christmas -- give it away to a coworker who might be able to find a use for it.

• Listen to music: Put those headphones on and tune into relaxing music. No, we're not talking elevator notes or sitar serenades. Try these hip anti-stress songs...

• Retail therapy: According to doctors at Emory University, shopping can give your

5-Minute Faces: Whether you're a makeup minimalist or a smoky-eye devotee, these quick and easy looks give you pretty, polished results with just a few products. From your face shape to your hair color - get 63 Ways to Personalize Your Look here.

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