Never forget again with this free reminder

by Gabrielle on March 4, 2010

Need to remember something important, such as a dentist appointment or when to take a pill? Log onto the free reminder service memorari.us and simply choose a date, time and delivery option (email, text or IM), then type your reminder message. It will be delivered automatically.

[photo: Julia Freeman-Woolpert]

The best day to shop online is…

by Gabrielle on March 4, 2010

Wednesday! That’s when you’ll find the steepest discounts on women’s accessories, shoes and clothing, according to a recent study of 100 online retailers by shopittome.com. [more…]

Teens aren’t trying to be difficult–really

by Gabrielle on March 4, 2010

Have a moody teen? She or he may not be able to help it. A research team from SUNY Downstate Medical Center discovered that the hormone THP that your body releases in times of stress to relax you produces the opposite reaction in teens going through puberty. As a result, they feel even more anxious and irritable in tense situations.

[photo: OakleyOriginals]

What’s your dog’s tail telling you?

by Gabrielle on March 4, 2010

Scientists from the University of Trieste in Italy deciphered a secret code in your dog’s tail: A wag to his right means he’s excited to see you. A wag to his left, however, [more…]

Want to get in shape for swimsuit season?

by Gabrielle on March 3, 2010

Grab a pen!  The American Heart Association found that of the 69% of women who set an exercise goal in past 12 months, just 22% achieved it. So, what did the successful women do that the others didn’t? Nope, they didn’t hire a pricey personal trainer. They simply wrote down their goals, used calendars to manage their time and tracked their progress with paper charts and online trackers.

Tip: The longer you stick to your routine, the easier it gets! About half of women who fail at their exercise goal stop trying after just two months while those who are more successful stick it out for at least six months.

Be a lifesaver: Host a CPR party

by Gabrielle on March 3, 2010

Imagine you’re out on a mani/pedi date with your BFF when, in between coats of Lickable Pink, she suddenly slumps to the floor and stops breathing. Can you remember enough CPR training you learned from Girl Scouts mumble-mumble years ago to save her life?

Why risk it? Invite your friends and family over and get a refresher course right at home using the Family & Friends CPR Anytime kit from the American Heart Association. Each kit contains an inflatable mannequin, practice lungs and an instructional DVD that shows you the basics of CPR. An accompanying booklet explains how to perform CPR on babies and what to do for a choking victim. [more…]

5 easy steps to getting on a reality TV show

by Gabrielle on March 3, 2010

Dream of starring on America’s Got Talent, Top Chef, The Bachelor or The Amazing Race? Getting on these and other reality TV shows is easier than you think, says television producer and reality TV expert Donna Michelle Anderson (aka DMA), author of The Show Starter™ Reality TV Made Simple System. Here are her 5 tips to snagging a spot on your favorite reality program: [more…]

Do diamonds or chocolate make us happier?

by Gabrielle on March 2, 2010

According to a survey of wealthy lottery winners who could easily afford both, chocolate is the bigger happiness-booster hands down. And when University of Nottingham psychologists asked what else makes them happiest, the lottery winners overwhelmingly chose other free or low-cost indulgences—such as a long bath, an afternoon nap and a stroll in the park—over high-priced luxuries like flashy cars and exotic vacations. “Spending time relaxing is the secret to a happy life. Cost-free pleasures are the ones that make the difference—even when you can afford anything that you want,” says study author Richard Tunney, Ph.D.

[photo: pixietart]

Botox-free secret to being beautiful

by Gabrielle on March 2, 2010

Check on an elderly neighbor, return cash to a cashier who gave you too much change or do another nice deed. Just like Mom insisted, beauty really does come from the inside, report researchers in the journal Personal Relationships. In their study, volunteers who were asked to rate the attractiveness of strangers in photos actually changed their views after learning how nice they were. Folks who were friendly and honest were perceived as better looking while those who were unfair or rude were perceived as less attractive!

[photo: Zaldymlg]

Which is more believable: gossip or truth?

by Gabrielle on March 2, 2010

We’re more likely to believe gossip—even when it contradicts what we’ve witnessed with our own eyes! To prove it, researchers from Germany and Austria recruited 126 college students to participate in a revealing [more…]

Boost your brain skills with chewing gum

by Gabrielle on March 2, 2010

It worked for hundreds of Cornell University students in a recent experiment. Those who chewed gum prior to and during test-taking scored, on average, 30 points better than those who didn’t chew. Shocked? So were the students! Upon announcing the findings, “you could literally hear a gasp from the class,” says Edward McLaughlin, Ph.D., who conducted the study. So, was it a special ingredient in the gum? Nope—past studies show that the simple act of chewing gum eases anxiety, increases your focus and makes it easier to recall information.

[photo: Nadya Peek]