Toss Old Lipgloss

Do you remember how long all of those tubes of lip glosses you own have been around? Well, you might want to. Every time you let air into a lip gloss tube and double-dip the wand (contaminating the formula with saliva), you create an environment in which bacteria can thrive. Toxicologist Joe DiNardo suggests tossing gloss after six months (when preservatives have likely degraded). You could date every tube with a Sharpie, or consider Cargo's new glosses, which have an indicator strip that turns red nine months after it has been opened. It's an easy way to know when your gloss could be giving you more than a dose of shine.

8 Reasons to start loving your body TODAY

Life is short; why spend it bashing your body? If you need help jump-starting your self-acceptance, just read this list of reasons to embrace yourself - from head to toe.

1. BECAUSE it's unique; no one else has the same one.

2. BECAUSE it's capable of extraordinary feats, enabling you to run, climb, jump, lift, squat, snuggle, and spoon.

3. BECAUSE no matter how badly your treat it, it's willing to give you another chance.

4. BECAUSE it's expressive, telling you how it feels (pay attention!) and broadcasting to others how you feel about it.

5. BECAUSE, let's face it, confidence is pretty sexy.

6. BECAUSE your daughter must learn to love hers.

7. BECAUSE somebody out there (or many somebodies!) admires, covets, and adores it.

8. BECAUSE you'll regret not loving it more later!

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! Tomorrow is the last day to enter.

An easy way to get motivated!

Banish the word "should" from 

your vocabulary and you may

find you can accomplish anything.

By saying you should do

something, like exercise, it 

immediately implies you feel the

activity is a burden, but replace "should" with "want"

and you'll start to build positive energy. So

try telling yourself that you want to

work out today and you'll get in the

right mind-set to go to the gym,

which is half the battle!

Look Slim Beauty Secrets

A few simple hair, skin, and makeup moves can make you look like you've dropped 10 pounds! Do this while you try to do the real thing, so you can effortlessly look slimmer this summer.

1.Glow for it - Applying a self-tanner has a near instant slimming effect.  You can go for the instant tan with Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Golden Perfection Tinted Self-Tanning Gelee ($29; esteelauder.com), which gets skin golden in six hours, or Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer ($9; at drugstores), for a gradual build.

2. Steer clear of bobs and pixies - Long, layered styles will make your face look more slender.  Ask your stylist for chunky layers that skim the face to chisel your cheekbones.  And because blunt bangs can make your face appear rounder, if you want them, ask for sideswept fringe that falls at about nose level.

3. Do away with "orange peel" - Look more svelte by temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite with a skin-smoothing cream. Since these creams provide only a temporary reduction in dimpling, you'll have to reapply them for prolonged effects. Check out Tarte CelluFight ($40; sephora.com) which is tinted to give your skin a golden glow or Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite 30-Day Body Beauty Program ($19; drugstores), with dietary supplements that contain L-carnitine, which is said to promote lean muscle mass.

Plants

Surrounding yourself with plants and flowers is a simple way to create a warm, welcoming, and soothing ambiance. Houseplants remove pollutants from the air and provide fresh oxygen for you to breathe. Flowers add color and fragrance to your environment, making your living space more relaxing and enjoyable. Ficus and spider plants are particularly good air filters. Lilies and roses have fragrant aromas that can permeate an entire apartment.

Save money on your next vacation

Before you plan your next getaway, follow this budget-friendly guide for what to buy, when.

1. Sunday, 4pm. Book your room at this time by calling the actual hotel - instead of the chain's general reservation line. Revenue managers (the people in charge of setting rates) typically don't work on Sunday afternoons, so you'll talk with the front desk employees, who are likelier to negotiate a better deal for you.

2. Wednesday, 12:01am. Reserve your airfare just after midnight on Tuesday night in the time zone where the airline is based. Look at the company web site to find the location of corporate headquarters.

3. Thursday, 8pm. Fill up your suitcase with clothing bargains by hitting the mall one to two hours before closing time on Thursday night. That's when most employees start marking down apparel for weekend sales, meaning you'll get first dibs on the deals.

Age-proof your hands!

Studies show that just slipping on a gemstone ring (real or faux) makes people perceive your hands as years younger, because the facets reflect light and brighten your skin!

Make a positive change

Pick one area of your life you'd like to improve (maybe you want to quit smoking or lose some pounds) and write out specific steps you can take (like cutting down to one pack a day or attending a weight-loss support group twice a week). Commit to doing that action for one month - smaller steps are less imposing than a huge change. In that time, you'll have made some progress, which will motivate you to move toward your next doable goal.

47 Hours............

is the average a woman can keep a secret.

So, think twice before you spill the beans to anyone: A recent poll shows there's a good chance the private info will get passed on - even if your friend promises it won't!

Save your free time!

There are 64 hours between 5pm Friday and 9am Monday - and you want to make the most of every minute, not fritter them away on social events you really don't want to attend. Before you accept any invite, ask yourself.....

What's my gut reaction? If you tense up when the invitation arrives, that's your body's way of saying, I don't wanna go.

Would saying no be a big deal? Has turning down an invite ever caused friction with this person? It's doubtful passing up an everyday party would be a problem. (But blowing off your parents' 40th-anniversary bash? Not OK!)

How do I feel once I think it over? Maybe you're nervous about going solo. (Ask if you can bring a pal.) But if you're still not feeling up to it, RSVP a polite "No, thanks."

How do I want to spend my time? It's your choice! Say no to the big bash now and ask the hostess to dinner later, so you can enjoy the time together.

How do you save money dining out?

Eating out is a treat - more than ever in a tough economy - but there are ways to do it while spending less.

Dine Early - Take advantage of early-bird specials. They're usually before 7pm at most restaurants. Not only are they cheaper, but there's also less chance of a wait.

Bring Sippies - If you have kids, bring their own cups of milk or juice, then the adults can order water. You can typically save $8.00 a meal.

Have Apps at home - Before dining out with friends, invite the group to meet at your home for a glass of wine and an appetizer.

Lunch instead - Save money by dining out at lunch instead of dinner. The prices are lower for the same quality. Also, portions tend to be smaller, so its friendly to your waistline.

Stretch the servings - Entrees are large, so eat half and save the other portion for lunch the next day.

Connect - Sign up for restaurant' mailing lists. They often send coupons for free drinks or desserts.

Watch out for specials - Look for restaurants that offer pairings, happy hour specials, 2 for 1, etc... They are a great way to sample new items for a fraction of the cost.