| Photo: Superheroes Are for Girls Too |
On the last day of September, we're thankful for....
Move over muscle men! Girls fight bad guys, save Gotham and prove that superheroes aren't just for boys.
Caught on camera: Bear cubs stop traffic in the name of senseless fun.
Hurricane and bitter arguments: What one man learned from a yacht race around the world, including how "to leave it on the last wave"
Update: the math behind the miracle of your existence.
If you heard that it was National Single and Unmarried Americans week, and the first thing you thought of was a lonely woman crying The Notebook-induced tears into the Ben and Jerry's container she ate her dinner out of (and it probably is, even for the single among us), then the answer might be yes. In a terrific article in The New York Times, Tara Parker-Pope, who wrote about the science behind a good marriage (and how hers turned out not to be one of them) for O, examines new research about the unmarried and finds that—surprise!—there are a lot of misperceptions out there. So even if a week-long single-palooza is not the perfect way to recognize the women (and men) who pay more for health insurance and are just as connected to the community at large as their married friends, maybe we can celebrate this made-up holiday by easing up on the spinster stereotypes—for good.
"In a Married World, Singles Struggle for Attention" (NYTimes.com)
Keep Reading
10 things you should never say to a single woman
How to enjoy the pleasure of your own company
9 great ways to connect with your world
"In a Married World, Singles Struggle for Attention" (NYTimes.com)
Keep Reading
10 things you should never say to a single woman
How to enjoy the pleasure of your own company
9 great ways to connect with your world
| Courtesy of Lilla P |
When dressing a more boyish frame, the key is to pick pieces with built-in shape. If they fall flat on the hanger, they'll probably look like that on you, too.
For Work
A structured, slim-fitting blazer (no oversize boyfriend jackets!) with light shoulder padding accents the waist; an A-line skirt creates the illusion of a curvier lower half.
On The Weekend
Go for boot-cut jeans rather than straight-leg styles, which emphasize narrow hips. Boatneck and cap-sleeve tops are best for visually widening the shoulders.
Out To Dinner
A feminine surplice wrap dress—like the above style from Lilla P ($134; lillap.com)—forms a V shape in front, playing up the bust and drawing the eye in at the midsection.
Out To Dinner
A feminine surplice wrap dress—like the above style from Lilla P ($134; lillap.com)—forms a V shape in front, playing up the bust and drawing the eye in at the midsection.
Keep Reading
What would it take to change your life for the better? It may be less than you think—we've got mini-makeovers to help you upgrade everything from your workout to your weekend. #29: Bold lipcolor transforms your look in a single instant.
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| Photo: Thinkstock |
A sheer peach gloss is lovely, and a soft pink stain has its place. But for an under-a-minute total transformation, you can't beat a bold, bright lipcolor. Here's how makeup artist Denise Markey says anyone (including you) can pull off a poppy red or fuchsia mouth: Use a brush to apply lipstick in the center of the lips. With your finger, tap the color out to the corners of your mouth. This ensures that the color isn't opaque, which can make it too intense and likely to migrate beyond the edges of your lips. Limit the rest of your beauty routine to tinted moisturizer, mascara, and a sheer cream blush.
Keep Reading
It's Friday again! The week breezed by with just a hint of autumn in the air. It also brought us plenty to be thankful for.
Mmm...a 12,000 pound chocolate bar. It still may not be enough for a night with our book club, but it did set a world record.
How to write a moving thank you note, courtesy of Ray Bradbury.
Simple joys still make a big splash: After more than 25 years of restorations, a 1922 carousel reopens today.
Smitten Kitchen’s genius idea for how to transform red wine (and one other unexpected ingredient) into a cake.
You’re so vain: A British school cracks down on mirrors and students say they feel more confident.
It’s a gorilla taking a bath. But we love it.
 |
| Photo: Chicago Tribune |
Mmm...a 12,000 pound chocolate bar. It still may not be enough for a night with our book club, but it did set a world record.
How to write a moving thank you note, courtesy of Ray Bradbury.
Simple joys still make a big splash: After more than 25 years of restorations, a 1922 carousel reopens today.
Smitten Kitchen’s genius idea for how to transform red wine (and one other unexpected ingredient) into a cake.
You’re so vain: A British school cracks down on mirrors and students say they feel more confident.
It’s a gorilla taking a bath. But we love it.
What would it take to change your life for the better? It may be less than you think—we've got mini-makeovers to help you upgrade everything from your workout to your weekend. #27: Exercise your brain along with your thumbs.
You can zone out with another round of Angry Birds—or kill time with these apps that work your brain.
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Unblock Me
A frustrating yet addictive puzzle game in which you manipulate rectangles to free one from its blockade. iTunes, free; full version 99₡. Android, free.
7 Little Words
Each puzzle consists of seven clues that lead to seven mystery words made from 20-letter groups—let the brain racking begin! iTunes; free.
Simple Physics
Design sturdy structures—a skyscraper buffeted by hurricanes, a roof bearing a mountain of snow—without breaking your project budget. iTunes; 99₡.
Trixel
You have a limited number of moves to navigate this visual puzzle, flipping tiles to match a set pattern. iTunes; 99₡.
Keep Reading
What would it take to change your life for the better? It may be less than you think—we've got mini-makeovers to help you upgrade everything from your workout to your weekend. #26: Impress your guest list with personalized invitations.
Punchbowl.com: Customized invites and add-on perks like potluck checklists and a polling tool to help pick the date.
Cocodot.com: Thousands of contemporary invitations to satisfy design snobs and typography geeks.
Pingg.com: Artists upload images, creating a bank of more than four million themes you can personalize with photos or video.
Paperlesspost.com: The virtual version of high-end stationery, these pack the luxe look of letterpress.
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| Photo: Thinkstock |
Online invitations don't have to be so cheesy—or cluttered by ads.
Punchbowl.com: Customized invites and add-on perks like potluck checklists and a polling tool to help pick the date.
Cocodot.com: Thousands of contemporary invitations to satisfy design snobs and typography geeks.
Pingg.com: Artists upload images, creating a bank of more than four million themes you can personalize with photos or video.
Paperlesspost.com: The virtual version of high-end stationery, these pack the luxe look of letterpress.
Keep Reading
What would it take to change your life for the better? It may be less than you think—we've got mini-makeovers to help you upgrade everything from your workout to your weekend. #25: Thank your host with style.
Wine and flowers are nice but not noteworthy. We asked frequent hosts to recall gifts that made an impact.
"Slate and Chalk sounds like something from a Dickens novel, but you can serve cheese on the slate and write the name right next to it."
—Jayma Mays, actress
"My most memorable hostess gift was a trampoline... though I promptly flew off it and broke my arm. That was unforgettable!"
—Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer
 |
| Photo: Brooklyn Slate & Green Depot |
"Slate and Chalk sounds like something from a Dickens novel, but you can serve cheese on the slate and write the name right next to it."
—Jayma Mays, actress
"My most memorable hostess gift was a trampoline... though I promptly flew off it and broke my arm. That was unforgettable!"
—Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer
Every Monday, we're rounding up the things, small and big, that made us
stop and think. Today, we're inspired by words of wisdom from a Disney animator, a sympathetic mystery shopper and Rihanna...
What would it take to change your life for the better? It may be less than you think—we've got mini-makeovers to help you upgrade everything from your workout to your weekend. #24: Bargain shop in a whole new way.
Quit clipping coupons! Thanks to the popularity of sites like Groupon, flash sales (limited edition deals) are oh so of-the-moment. Four sites to suit any shopping style:
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| Photo: Thinkstock |
Fashionistas
At MYHABIT, the new designer sale site from Amazon, shopaholics enjoy up to 60 percent off—and free shipping—from high-end and boutique brands like Alberta Ferretti and Dogeared jewelry.
At MYHABIT, the new designer sale site from Amazon, shopaholics enjoy up to 60 percent off—and free shipping—from high-end and boutique brands like Alberta Ferretti and Dogeared jewelry.
Techies
Get an Android smartphone, iPod nano, or LCD monitor on the cheap with the daily deals at CowBoom, a Best Buy offshoot that offers new, used, and refurbished electronics.
Get an Android smartphone, iPod nano, or LCD monitor on the cheap with the daily deals at CowBoom, a Best Buy offshoot that offers new, used, and refurbished electronics.
Foodies
Daily Gourmet dishes discounts on high-quality eats from around the world (think: cask-aged premium wine vinegar, small-batch gluten-free granola, and hand-crafted coffees).
Daily Gourmet dishes discounts on high-quality eats from around the world (think: cask-aged premium wine vinegar, small-batch gluten-free granola, and hand-crafted coffees).
Social Butterflies
LivingSocial secures savings of 50 percent or more on local products and getaways. Convince three of your friends to purchase the offer as well and you get the deal for free.
LivingSocial secures savings of 50 percent or more on local products and getaways. Convince three of your friends to purchase the offer as well and you get the deal for free.
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about Life Lift
The Oprah blog is a place where you can find engaging news coverage, fresh inspiration, and the straight talk you've come to count on. A place that
provides the tools you need to make a change—if not in the world—then at
least in your little corner of it. It's a place that will raise your energy, lower your blood pressure and
occasionally make you laugh—in short, a place of possibility.
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