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There are certain labor-intensive recipe phrases that can make the most diligent cook roll her eyes. "Do I really have to do that?" we wonder. Leave your Do I Really Have To Do That? questions in the comments and they shall be answered, saving us all a lot of needless trouble.

"A lot of peeling is just habit," writes Mark Bittman on the the New York Times blog, Diners Journal. "We were brought up peeling potatoes and carrots so we peel potatoes and carrots." In the case of conventionally grown produce, there might be reason to do this. "When fruits and vegetables are grown with heavy doses of pesticides […] maybe it's safer to peel the outside than wash it."

But more of us are turning to organic produce, especially in the summer months when bushels of ripe tomatoes call out from country roadsides. Do we really need to peel farm fresh veggies? The blog Zen Habits points out that in many cases peeling is not only a bother but a bad idea: we're scraping off the nutrients closest to the skin, and in some cases, the best flavor. We turned to Erin Alderson, creator of the popular vegetarian cooking blog, Naturally Ella, for answers.

After a relentless outcry from patrons, a Riverside, California, restaurant has nixed the portion of its dress code requiring women to wear high heels. The 1920s-themed bar and eatery, ProAbition, has also issued an apology on Facebook. "Our intention was never to offend anyone," it noted. Still, it's what happened, and continues to happen, with a steady stream of rules about what women can and can't wear. Luckily, for the most part, the rules keep getting reversed. And that's thanks to you, sisters, for speaking out.—Beth Greenfield, Shine Staff

Going out on a date can be so overrated. The restaurant can be expensive, the movie even more so. It might rain or you might not get a cab. Plus, it takes valuable time to get ready and get out there that you might otherwise spend getting closer to that special someone. Instead, why not spend an extra special night in the comfort of your home, and get the romance of night on the town, by having an at-home date night! Pick out your favorite movie and plan the entire evening around it - including your meal, decor, and outfit. There are actually many more options for a romantic and fun night in than you might expect. Click through for 7 ideas for at-home date nights! -By Jacinda Boneau

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By Rachel Wilkerson, Lover.ly
Our new favorite wedding style for summer takes the popular rustic wedding style and adds in the prettiest berry-red elements. With DIY details, touches of gingham, and loads of down-home desserts, this rustic red look is perfect for a pretty, laid-back summer wedding.
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I've been dying to chop off all my hair lately. I've worn it extremely long since growing it out from the short, platinum bob with pink highlights that wrecked it in 2003-2004. I swore that once I restored my hair to its healthy and happy state, I'd keep it long for as long as I could. But it's been nearly 10 years now, and I think it's time for change. And while I'd love to fall back on my favorite bobbed style, I think I'll keep it a bit on the longer side this time. So I'm taking major hair inspiration from the shoulder dusting lengths with BIG VOLUME from the 1990′s and pocketing styling tips from the supermodels of the time, like deep side parts, messy beachy waves, and blown-back voluminous curls. Check out 7 of my favorite looks! -By Maegan Tintari

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Vitamin A-derived retinoids are considered the gold standard for anti-aging. While prescription-strength retinoids can have a more dramatic effect on skin, over the counter products are less irritating. Here are 7 products containing retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinaldehyde that can be purchased without a prescription and are clinically proven to be effective with continued use.
-By Sonya Lee Benham

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Now I'm not saying these sweatshirts in the boys' section are particularly feminine. But what I am saying is that if you're not checking out the menswear sections of your favorite online shopping sites, you may be missing out. Sweatshirts shrink after 1-3 washes and if you're anything like me, you like your sweaties oversized and comfy (and tend to steal them from your man's closet on the regular). So why not just shop in their department? Mens' styles are made more narrow now than they used to be, but stick to ordering the smaller sizes if you like a fitted look. And in the mean time, add a little eye candy to your shopping experience!
-By Maegan Tintari

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I recently found a new favorite internet meme - The Bad Joke Eel. All of the jokes are terrible, but since I love things that are corny and in bad taste, it's sort of a perfect fit. I specifically picked jokes to share with you that you could tell your kids. I recently had the kids at the bus stop giggling (and moaning) with how bad and funny these eels' jokes are. I hope you enjoy them, too!- By Julie W. Miner

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It's time to find the perfect summer sandals! The best way to get in the spirit of the season is to dress your feet accordingly, and we've got the perfect pair for every style. Whether you veer towards the classic leather sandals that look good with dresses and jeans or like to have more of a selection in your closet to pair with each outfit, check out these lovely options.
-By Chelsea Fuss

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