Lifestyle » Advice http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle The latest Lifestyle news and blog posts from ABC News contributors and bloggers. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:04:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Supermodel Style Tips: How to Look Great on a Budget http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/01/supermodel-style-tips-how-to-look-great-on-a-budget/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/01/supermodel-style-tips-how-to-look-great-on-a-budget/#comments Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:15:49 +0000 ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=98610 Everyone likes to be stylish, but not everyone has a supermodel’s resources.

Supermodel Crystal Renn appeared on “Good Morning America” this morning to share tips on how you can be super-chic all the time — even while on a budget.

Crystal’s Style Tips

1. Even if you don’t have the budget to shop designer, invest in one classic designer bag.

2. Buy the perfectly cut blazer for your body. Everyone knows the appeal of the classic little black dress, but the perfect blazer will take you a long way. Whether you pair it with trousers or a dress, it immediately adds chic to any outfit. If you have curvy hips, opt for a blazer with strong shoulders; it balances the body and adds angles.

3. Want long legs? Wear long pants that just skim the floor. Underneath wear the highest shoes you can walk in.

4. Don’t be afraid to shop in the men’s section. Sometimes the sizes are better and the fit looser.

5. Buy multiples of whatever works.

6.  Accessorize! Use quirky accessories to show personality — whether that is your Grandma’s ring or an interesting necklace from your travels. Because I wear so much black, I usually layer on a bunch of rings and my simple crystal necklace to make a statement.

7. For evening, I like drama so I turn to designers such as Zac Posen, who know how to cut for a woman’s body and whose dresses scream glamor. Gowns can be very expensive, so opt for a designer’s more financially friendly line, such as Posen’s Z Spoke. You can save dollars and not sacrifice chic.

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Marty Becker’s Best Pet Products of 2012 http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/marty-beckers-best-pet-products-of-2012/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/marty-beckers-best-pet-products-of-2012/#comments Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:57:38 +0000 ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=98461 From a terrarium for turtles to goggles, cake kits, speakers and more for dogs, this year had no shortage of new products to pamper your pets.

Veterinarian Marty Becker is always on the lookout for the hottest pet products and every year he polls 100 of the top professionals in the veterinary and pet fields to nominate their favorite new products.

READ MORE: Dr. Marty Becker’s Wacky Pet Products Roundup

Becker visited “Good Morning America” today with a collection of animal friends to share his picks for the best pet products of 2012.

Get more info on Dr. Becker’s picks below, and scroll all the way down for his Web-exclusive product picks.

1. Sleepypod Sidekick Bike Rack

This is a great idea if you like to ride a bike and want to take your pet along.  What is unique about the Sleepypod model is that the rack attaches to the front tire, rather than the handlebars, making for a very smooth ride.

For more info: www.sleepypod.com/sidekick

Cost: $124.99

2. Thundershirt

This is a really popular product that fits snugly on your pet and applies gentle pressure to soothe your pal in stressful situations, like bad weather or a trip to the vet.  What’s new is that Thundershirts are now available for cats too, not just dogs. I recommend them for dogs or cats that get anxious or fearful by visiting the veterinarian and also for those with separation anxiety and noise phobias.

For more info: www.thundershirt.com

Cost: $39.95

3. Sunbeam Pets Dog Treat Maker

People love to feed their pups goodies from the table, which is a no-no.  With this dog treat maker, however, you can make special dog treats by just pouring in the batter and closing the lid.  The maker comes with easy recipes and is a good way to make sure your pup is getting a safe treat.

For more info: www.sunbeampets.com

Cost: $89.99

4. Cat Crib

Cats love being in hammocks.  With this product, cats get a good place to rest while staying off your furniture.  The Crib can also help keep clutter down in your home by allowing you to get rid of the pet beds.

For more info: www.catcrib.com

Cost: $29.00

5. Go-Go Dog Pals

Keeping your dog fit isn’t just about food, it’s also about exercise.  The Go-Go Dog Pal works with a dog’s natural instinct to chase by using advanced remote control technology to lead your dog on a chase that provides active exercise without overextending you.

For more info: www.gogodogpals.com

Cost: $299.99

6. Green by Northmate

The Green is a tuft of grass that turns your pet’s meal into a game.  You put your pet’s food into the “green” and then they have to play and tug to pull it out.  This solves the problem of dogs gulping down their food, which causes them to eat too much or become gassy, or both.  The Green is also dishwasher-safe.

For more info: www.northmate.com

Cost: $34.99

Web Extra Products:

1.  Activity Tracking by Tagg

Allowing owners to monitor their pets activity levels, Tagg’s newest feature, Activity Tracking, is available as a free software upgrade to all current Tagg customers (and built in for all future customers). Detailed, easy-to-use charts provide a daily look at all of Fido’s running, walking and snoozing to help owners and vets make educated decisions about activity and health.

For more info: www.pettracker.com

2.  Double Down Dog Run

The Double Down Dog Run allows two dogs to safely play and roam without the hassle of multiple ties getting tangled. This dog run is comprised of a spiral tie-out stake, a base plate, a tangle-free topper, hardware and 2- 20-foot UV vinyl coated dog tie-out leashes. Double Down Dog Runs are made of chew resistant, all weather plastics and metals that can be taken anywhere.  Enjoy the double dog tie-out at home, on outdoor trips, in the park where there are leash laws and even get one for a play date!

For more info: www.doubledowndogrun.com

3.  Litter Genie

Keeping homes fresh and free of unwanted odors, the Litter Genie disposal system allows pet owners to limit plastic bag use and daily trips to the trash, and instead simply lift the Litter Genie lid to dump soiled litter clumps. The system’s five-layer refill bags with built-in odor barrier technology protect against odors and germs and its unique air-tight design helps keep smells in even when the lid is open.

For more info: www.littergenie.com

4.  SlimCat™ Interactive Feeders by PetSafe

Providing cats with plenty of play and exercise while helping them maintain optimum weight, PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Feeders allow owners to fill the balls with portioned dry food for cats to get to by interactively rolling the ball. The BPA-free balls help improve cat’s digestion by dispensing small proportions of kibble as they roll.

For more info: www.petsafe.net

5.  EASOTIC Otic Suspension

Treating dog’s ear infections fast and easily, EASOTIC Suspension is gentle on sensitive ears, and just one pump delivers an exact dose every time, in any position, without the hassle of counting drops.

For more info: www.iverhart.com

6.  H-Leggings

Say no to the cone! H-Leggings, designed to not impede the animal’s movement or daily activity, are a pair of interconnected breathable, reusable and flexible leggings the canine wears as a barrier over a veterinary-approved wound dressing, cast or irritation of the forelegs.

For more info: www.H4Legs.com

7.  Orastrip Quick Check Canine

A fast and easy way to check dogs for periodontal diseases, the Orastrip Quick Check Canine diagnostic test strip can be applied to saliva either on an awake dog or under anesthesia. The strip changes color when active periodontal disease is present.

For more info:  www.orastrip.com

8.  ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet® CALM

A new, vet-exclusive diet that gives “Keep Calm and Carry On” a whole new meaning for scaredy cats and dogs. Anxiety in pets is a common issue and this stress affects a pet’s ability to adapt and can lead to undesirable behavior such as destructiveness, urination, and digestive upset, among others. Royal Canin’s CALM food is the first complete and balanced diet to help cats and dogs maintain emotional balance. CALM includes 3 unique calming nutrients to relieve stress and anxiety without the use of medication.

For more info:  www.royalcanin.us/calm

To adopt one of the pets featured on “GMA,” click HERE to visit the Humane Society of New York.

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Dec. 21, 2012: Why You Should Party Like It’s 1999! http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/dec-21-2012-why-you-should-party-like-its-1999/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/dec-21-2012-why-you-should-party-like-its-1999/#comments Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:00:08 +0000 Dan Kloeffler http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=98369  

nc maya 2012 exhibit penn museum ll 121218 wblog Dec. 21, 2012: Why You Should Party Like Its 1999!                                                                (Image Credit: Tish Wells/MCT via Newscom)

A quick online search of the terms, “December 21″ and “Maya” could encourage an ugly marathon bender of spray cheese and the Game Show Network because according to some of the results, there’s a chance Dec. 21, 2012, could mark the end of the world.

Depending on your penchant for semi-congealed cheddar and Richard Dawson, here’s the good-bad news: the Maya never said anything about Dec. 21, 2012, being ‘The End Of The World As We Know It.’ REM was clearly whaling about something else, because there is no record or history that remotely resembles a doomsday prediction.

So, do you feel fine?

Before you consult WebMD about this feeling of confusion and redirect your spiritual guidance to a stack of scratch-0ff lottery tickets, you should know a few things about why this date does have significance to the Maya and what it could mean for your social calendar. The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Museum has a first-class exhibit that explores this oft-cited civilization, so we dug deep for information from Loa Traxler and Simon Martin, archeologists who helped create the museum’s experience.

First, the Maya called the shots from 800 BCE until around 900 CE in most of southern Mexico to Honduras. Part of what made the civilization so powerful was a structured system of governance with multiple kingdoms that encouraged sustainable trade relations and emphasized scientific advances. Ever heard of Chichen Itza? Sipped a cup of Swiss Miss hot chocolate? Yup, both beautifully delicious creations, courtesy of Mayan ingenuity. But what’s got everyone talking lately is their complex calendar.

According to Martin, the Maya developed a system of three interlocking wheels, like gears in a clock, to record time and events. Each of these wheels represents a different length of time, similar to the weeks, months and years that mark our solar calendar. As these gears move, marking specific dates, they turn closer and closer to their original starting position. But once they hit that position, the calendar simply doesn’t stop recording; those big wheel(s) keep on turnin’. Which means, some dates will repeat. Enter the date Dec. 21, 2012.

What’s so special about 12-21-12?

“This date occurred once before, more than five thousand years ago, and we know that it was a time when the Mayan gods were reordering the universe, a bit,” Martin said.

Oh, that’s it? The universe hits the “shuffle” button and we move on? Basically, yes.

Martin and Traxler are deliberate in describing what happened during the first go around with Dec. 21, 2012. While the buzz surrounding the Maya calendar has turned them into a couple rock stars, they’re careful not to add to the confusion about the date, but rather separate truth from fiction in ancient recordings.

Traxler puts 12, 21, 2012, into a simple perspective:

“For us, a comparable would be the Y2K event, a tremendously important benchmark date. But just as for us, there was all of this hubbub and about what was going to happen at midnight of this new millennium.”

It’s not exactly the dire interpretation that we’ve been hearing about. Then again, Martin says, the Maya themselves might have started the buzz thousands of years ago:

“This year marks this particular completion point. But the problem is, the Maya only talk about it twice. In all the thousands of inscriptions, this year is mentioned only two times. And both times they kind of use it as an anchor point. They don’t really tell us what’s supposed to happen.”

Still, it seems like a safe bet not to tell your spouse what you really think of your in-laws or max out your credit cards with the protection of an apocalyptic  ending.

Instead, Traxler offers a forward-looking approach to 12, 21, 2012:

“It’s like a New Year’s celebration, people should look at it as an opening of a new period of time, and recognize the Maya culture and our own place in the global world.”

So it looks like we’re going to dodge a bullet this time around. But that shouldn’t stop you from picking up that extra can of Easy Cheese. After all, Michael Stipe, you feel fine.

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‘Toy Hunter’ Tips: How You Can Become a Toy Collector http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/toy-hunter-tips-how-you-can-become-a-toy-collector/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/toy-hunter-tips-how-you-can-become-a-toy-collector/#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:12:45 +0000 ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=98129 ‘Tis the season to buy new toys and rediscover your favorite toys from childhood, both of which might be worth a lot more money than you think.

Jordan Hembrough is a toy dealer who appraises the value of vintage toys.  Hembrough, from the show “Toy Hunter” on the Travel Channel appeared on “Good Morning America” today to show and appraise three vintage toys on the set.

He also appraised toys brought in by audience members.

Below are some tips from Hembrough on how you can be a toy collector. He also offers advice for how you can protect your children’s toys while they’re using them.

How to Become a Toy Collector

1. Collect what you love. Never think of “what this will be worth down the line.”

2.  Utilize research tools; Internet and websites are bountiful on toys and history. Read about what you’re interested in.

3. If going to an event such as a toy show or flea market, bring a friend or two. Collecting is a social activity.

4.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the seller: How long have you had this? Do you have any more items like this?

5.  Be aware of what you can truly spend. Don’t over-extend yourself when it comes to purchasing.

6.  Avoid storing toys in extreme hot, cold or damp environments. Choose something climate controlled, if possible. Your toys should “live where you live.”

7.  Avoid storing any toy in direct sunlight. It can fade packing and even bleach out some fabrics.

How to Preserve Your Kids’ Toys

1.  Try to monitor how children are playing with the toys.

2. While most kids’ toys today are suitable for outdoor use, keeping them clean at the end of the day is a must. Give them a good wipe down if the toys have been in mud or sand. And be sure to keep electronic toys out of water!

3. Explain to children the importance of keeping the toy together and intact with all its accessories. I used to tell my son, “How would Luke Skywalker feel if he didn’t have his light saber? You need to help him fight Darth Vader by keeping his weapon close to him. Don’t lose it.”  If you can find a way to explain it in a child’s eyes, it makes it more personal to them.

4.  Keep it fun! I always tell parents to have fun with their children when it comes to cleaning their rooms, brushing their teeth, or even taking care of their toys.

5. Try giving a gold star for each week that the toys are put back on shelves or away in a toy chest. Kids can collect their stars on a bulletin board in their room. At the end of the month, if the toys are all packed away nicely and with accessories. The child gets a new toy!

6.  Encourage your kids to donate some of their older toys as well to local churches or charities.

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Gingerbread Houses — for Real http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/gingerbread-houses-for-real/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/gingerbread-houses-for-real/#comments Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:00:52 +0000 Lawrence Dechant http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=98097 It’s the home sweet home of your dreams, and you can build it with a favorite holiday treat.

Movoto Real Estate, a real estate blog, has developed a gingerbread house calculator that allows you to determine the amount of ingredients you would need to build your ideal gingerbread home — no matter what the size.

“Usually, we try to put a fun twist on housing, and since it’s the holidays, we figured people would be interested in building gingerbread houses,” Movoto spokesman Nick Johnson said. “So we figured out a way to find out how many batches it would take to build a life-size one. It’s a fun way to tie in housing and the holiday.”

Click here to see a slideshow of Canada’s National Gingerbread Showcase 2012.

All you need to do is type in the square footage of your home, and the site will tell you how many cups of butter, brown sugar and other ingredients you would need to make your house. It also calculates the price of the ingredients.

So, if you wanted to make a life-size gingerbread replica of the White House — which is 55,000 square feet — you would need 66,000 cups of butter and brown sugar, and it would cost you about $940,000.

This isn’t the only interactive housing site Movoto Real Estate has developed. The company also created a calculator to let you know how many balloons it would take to lift your house in the air, like in the Disney/Pixar movie “UP.”

Movoto is a California-based search engine and brokerage firm located in 30 states across the nation.

“Real estate is a very exciting niche and we are trying to get you to think about it in a different way,” Johnson said. “And have fun at the same time.”


The Tastiest Home You’ll Ever Build By Movoto Real Estate

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Over 50 and Looking for Love? New Dating Site for the Older Crowd http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/over-50-and-looking-for-love-new-dating-site-for-the-older-crowd/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/over-50-and-looking-for-love-new-dating-site-for-the-older-crowd/#comments Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:00:30 +0000 Lisa Stark http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=98020 Mention AARP and most people think of Social Security, Medicare and senior discounts. Now the group is getting into the dating business.

The organization has launched an online dating channel, and an online dating site for the over-50 crowd. It can be found at aarp.org/dating

“AARP wanted to get into the game because one, we know isolation is a very big issue for our members as they age,” said Nataki Edwards, Vice President of Digital Strategies and Operations at AARP. Edwards said a quarter of the group’s 37 million members are single and many have been asking the organization to help them link up with others.

“It’s not necessarily about getting married,” Edwards told ABC News. “It’s about the companionship and having fun things to do with someone else.”

AARP’s new venture is not the first dating site geared toward this age group. It’ll be competing with OurTime, which bills itself as the premier online 50+ dating service. AARP is partnering with HowAboutWe.com, whose philosophy is to get people out on dates early on to see if they hit it off, rather than spending a lot of time getting to know each other online, only to find there’s no chemistry when they meet in person. Edwards calls it “dating like they used to date.”

That appeals to Shelley Kilburn, who describes herself as a “54-year-old SWF (single white female).” Kilburn said she likes the idea of meeting face-to face, telling ABC News, “When you talk to someone in person you get a better image or feeling, you have that ability to use a (woman’s intuition), that sixth sense.”

Kilburn, a Southern California resident and a former news colleague of this reporter, has been divorced for five years. She hasn’t tried online dating yet, but says she might gravitate to an AARP site because to her the group has a trustworthy “history and reputation, (so) I would be comfortable.”

Carol Siflinger agrees, writing in response to a Facebook question about the new site, “It is a great idea! I would hope singles going to this site would be of a better caliber than ‘meat market’ sites!”

For those 50 and older, trying to date again can be daunting.

“It’s not so easy for people because many of them haven’t dated for 30 years or more”, said relationship expert Pepper Schwartz, who’s written extensively on sexuality. Schwartz, who is also AARP’s Love and Relationship Ambassador, says online dating can be especially unnerving. “Honestly, I think most of them go kicking and screaming. They wouldn’t do this if there was another option.”

Schwartz, who is 67, says she met her fiancé online. “It’s not easy: you have to work at it. You have to be resilient.” Of course, Schwartz adds, that’s not necessarily age-related. “Who ever found dating easy,” she says, “even when they were younger?”

Looking for a companion online worked wonderfully for Becky Hedlund Lemaire, of Breaux Bridge, La., who met her husband of six years through an online service. She says no matter which dating site you rely on, it’s important to take safety seriously.

“Always meet in public”, says Lemaire, “Don’t give out personal information and make sure someone knows where you are going to meet.”

AARP has tips too for the more mature dater — the group suggests you don’t spend the first date talking only about your children or grandchildren, or your aches and pains. The organization says its new online dating channel will help with dating advice.

Those popular senior discounts will come into play too. AARP is offering a seven-day free trial, then half off the dating service price for its members.

AARP’s Edwards said she won’t be using the new service because “I am married myself.” However, she laughs, “I have sent it to every single friend that I have who is looking.”

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Over 50 and Looking for Love? New Dating Site for the Older Crowd http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/over-50-and-looking-for-love-new-dating-site-for-the-older-crowd-2/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/over-50-and-looking-for-love-new-dating-site-for-the-older-crowd-2/#comments Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:45:09 +0000 Lisa Stark http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=98022 Mention AARP, and most people think of Social Security, Medicare, senior discounts but not love.

Now the group is now getting into the dating business, launching an online dating channel, and an online dating site for the over 50 crowd

 ”AARP wanted to get into the game because, one, we know isolation is a very big issue for our members as they age,” said Nataki Edwards, vice president of digital strategies and operations at AARP.

Edwards says a quarter of the group’s 37 million members are single, and many have been asking the organization to help them link up with others. “It’s not necessarily about getting married,” Edwards told ABCNews. “It’s about the companionship and having fun things to do with someone else.”

AARP’s new venture is not the first dating site geared toward older Americans. It’ll be competing with OurTime,  which bills itself as the premier online 50+ dating service. AARP is partnering with HowAboutWe.com, which believes in getting people out on dates early on to see if they hit it off rather than spending a lot of time getting to know each other online, only to find there’s no chemistry when they meet in person.

Edwards calls it “dating like they used to date.” That appeals to Shelley Kilburn, who describes herself as a “54 year old SWF (single while female).” Kilburn likes the idea of meeting face-to face, telling ABC News, “When you talk to someone in person you get a better image or feeling, you have that ability to use … that sixth sense.” Kilburn, a former news colleague, has been divorced for five years. The Southern California resident hasn’t tried online dating yet  but says she might gravitate to an AARP site because for her the group has a trustworthy “history and reputation, [so] I would be comfortable.”

Carol Siflinger agrees, writing in response to a Facebook question about the new site, “It is a great idea! I would hope singles going to this site would be of a better caliber than “meat market” sites! For those 50 and older, trying to date again can be daunting.

“It’s not so easy for people because many of them haven’t dated for 30 years or more,” said relationship expert Pepper Schwartz, who’s written extensively on sexuality. Pepper, who is also AARP’s Love and Relationship Ambassador, says online dating can be especially unnerving.

“Honestly, I think most of them go kicking and screaming. They wouldn’t do this if there was another option.” Schwartz, who is 67, met her fiancé online. “It’s not easy: you have to work at it. You have to be resilient.”

Of course, Schwartz adds, that’s not necessarily age-related. “Whoever found dating easy,” she says, “even when they were younger.”

Looking for a companion online worked wonderfully for Becky Hedlund Lemaire, of Breaux Bridge, La., who met her husband of six years through an online service. She says no matter which dating site you rely on, it’s important to take safety seriously. “Always meet in public,” says Lemaire. “Don’t give out personal information, and make sure someone knows where you are going to meet.”

AARP has tips too for the more mature dater, suggesting you don’t spend the first date talking only about your children or grandchildren, or your aches and pains. The organization says its new online dating channel will help with dating advice.

Those popular senior discounts will come into play too. AARP is offering a seven-day free trial, then half -off the dating service price for its members. AARP’s Edwards won’t be using the new service, because “I am married myself.” However, she’s laughs, “I have sent it to every single friend that I have who is looking.”

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Jonathan Adler’s 5 Tips for Glamorous Holiday Decorations http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/jonathan-adlers-5-tips-for-glamorous-holiday-decorations/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/12/jonathan-adlers-5-tips-for-glamorous-holiday-decorations/#comments Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:54:34 +0000 ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=97993 ht decorating tk 121203 wblog Jonathan Adlers 5 Tips for Glamorous Holiday Decorations

                                                                                                       (Image credit: Mary Pflum)

‘Tis the season to be merry with friends and family, but don’t settle for the same-old, same-old decorations at your holiday gathering this year. Take your decorations up a notch with these inventive tips from celebrity designer Jonathan Adler.

Adler, the author of “100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life,” has wowed the home decor world with his fabulous and functional designs of everything from throw pillows to candles to lamps, and will make your decorations look like a million bucks and the envy of family, friends and neighbors.

When it comes to holiday decorating, Adler says follow these five decorating tips.

1. Get Luxe

A lot of people rely on the same, pre-made Christmas stockings, but one way to really make your mantelpiece pop Adler says is to buy velvet and craft your own stockings in a rich jewel tone. Velvet adds a feeling of luxury and the homemade stocking serves as conversation piece.

When you’re buying velvet for the stockings, get some extra fabric in the same color or a complementary color for the tree skirt. It will tie the room together, he says.

2. Get Glitzy

Modernize your centerpiece with a gold, silver and white color palate. Adler says a selection of accessories in these luxurious colors serves as a non-traditional, modern centerpiece. Shop around your home for an interesting-shaped bottle in that color scheme or pick up inexpensive accessories and use silver spray paint to transform them.

3. Get the Miracle Color

Turquoise is Adler’s miracle color. A rug or accessories in teal add a splash of luxury and rich color to your home. Shop for teal trinkets or take some teal ribbon and tie it in bows to make eye-catching napkin rings.

4. Get a Chandelier

Every home needs a chandelier, Adler says. A sparkly chandelier is great for the holidays, but adds sparkle all year round.

Add sparkle to one above the table by hanging silver balls from it on fishing wire.

5. Get Some Personalized Bling on Your Holiday Table

Place cards are the perfect way to add bling to your holiday table, Adler says, and some cheeky fun. Print a photo of your guest, mount it to card, add a glitter mustache or lips or cheeks or jewelry, pop in a place card holder and put on their plate!

Creative place cards are simple but add that something extra to a holiday gathering. Guests can take them home as a memento of the fantastic celebration, Adler says.

Extra Tip: How to Make Your Own Cards

Making your own cards is a labor of love that your recipients will really appreciate.  You can take it a step further by hand-carving a stamp and stamping those cards for extra personalization.

Items you will need: No. 2 pencil, “LOVE” template (or other personalized template), tracing paper, tape, ruler, 4″ square Speedball Speedy-Carve carving blog, bone folder or small spoon, linoleum cutter with different tips, craft knife, inkpad or block printing ink and roller, scrap paper, blank cards.

The steps:

1. Put a piece of tracing paper over the personalized template. Take it down and trace around all the  black items with your pencil.

2. With the pencil lines facing down, put the tracing paper on the carving block exactly where you want it. Hold it in place and rub the back with the bone folder or spoon. Go over all the lines with your template to make sure everything transfers. When you lift the paper, you’ll see that the image has transferred backwards onto your block. That’s okay; this is how it should be.

3. Now you’re ready to carve your block (be careful, and ALWAYS cut away from yourself, with a  steady hand and keeping an even pressure on the block). Start with a fine tip to outline all the letters first, and then move onto to a wider one to scoop out the spaces in between. For finishing touches and detail work, go back to using the fine tip.

4. After you’ve finished the carving, wash your stamp with warm water and soap to remove any crumbs of rubber left behind. Dry your block completely on a cloth or paper towel.

5. Place your stamp face-up on your work surface and apply the ink by pressing your inkpads evenly all over the surface by using an inked roller.

6. Make a few test prints by pressing the block firmly into the scrap paper.

 

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‘Catfish’ Stars Nev Schulman, Max Joseph’s Advice for Online Dating http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/11/catfish-star-nev-schulmans-advice-for-online-dating/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/11/catfish-star-nev-schulmans-advice-for-online-dating/#comments Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:00:21 +0000 ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=97972 Nev Schulman became a Hollywood sensation with his 2010 hit documentary “Catfish.” The film followed Schulman as he hit the road to meet his online love for the very first time in person. (Spoiler alert: she wasn’t exactly who she said she was.)

After his experience with virtual romance, Schulman decided it was time to teach others how to face reality too. Now, Schulman, along with partner Max Joseph, is helping online couples meet for the first time in a new MTV series, “Catfish: The TV Show.” Many of the couples they bring together have interacted solely online — sometimes for years – without ever meeting face-to-face in the real world. For some, the meeting is far from the romantic reunion they imagined.

With so many false identities online, can anyone ever know the person on the other side of the screen? Schulman has some advice about the most common lies that people should look out for and be aware of when it comes to virtual romance.

Nev Schulman and Max Joseph’s Advice for Online Dating

1. Stay away from models.

“Catfish” love saying that they’re models, Joseph warns. (The term catfish refers to someone who pretends to be something different online from who they truly are). People love thinking that they’ve met a model, Schulman and Joseph warn.

2. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  Proceed with caution and make the other person earn your trust before telling them too much about yourself.

Almost everyone is lying in some ways on social networking sites, Schulman warns, whether it’s intentional or not. The spectrum ranges from people who carefully make choices about what to include and what to omit on their profiles, to embellishing here or there, to full-blown “Catfish”-style online imposters.  Also, if their lives are filled with tons of drama, tragedy, sickness and other sympathy-inducing traumas, be wary.

Check out these additional tips for identifying fake profiles online.

3. Get proof. Either a photo with him or her holding up something specific or a copy of a driver’s license.  Or ask the other person to write your name on their hand and send a picture of it via text or email.

4. Skype with them!  If they don’t have Skype make them go to someplace that has a webcam.

5. Check their Facebook page to see how many friends he or she has and if any of she is tagged in photos.  If they have less than 100 friends on Facebook, be wary.

6. Be yourself and know what you want. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the fairy tale version of love, but remember real life isn’t a fairytale or a movie. Love takes work.

“Catfish: The TV Show” airs Mondays on MTV.

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Which of These Women Got Better Offers From Gyms? http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/11/which-of-these-women-got-better-offers-from-gyms/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/11/which-of-these-women-got-better-offers-from-gyms/#comments Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:30:22 +0000 Jim DuBreuil http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/?p=97920 abc kristin Garofalo abby smith gym trainer test thg 121128 wblog Which of These Women Got Better Offers From Gyms?

In an interview with “20/20,” Ryan Hughes, a personal trainer in New York City, confessed a truth  about gyms that we had to see to believe.

“Most of the time at these large corporate gyms, you’re going to get a better rate if you’re thin and attractive rather than overweight,” Hughes said.

Why? Gyms think hot chicks boost their business, Hughes said.

“Having an attractive person on the floor is always a win-win,” he said. “If you are going to attract other clientele to come into the gym, you might get a better rate than somebody else.”

“20/20″ hired models Kristin Garofalo and Abby Smith — Smith is a plus-size model — and hit the streets.

At our first stop, Smith walked out pleased with the membership offer from one of New York’s most exclusive gyms. Soon after, she even got a follow-up email.

“[It] said it was great meeting me and he’s going to set me up with my complimentary guided workout,” Smith said.

Then it was Kristin’s turn. Would she get the same offer? Would it be worse, given she was already fit and might therefore be less motivated over time to work out? Or was Kristin going to open Abby’s eyes to how gyms really do business? And if there was “wiggle room” in the price, how much?

Find out on “20/20: True Confessions” Friday at 10 p.m. ET, and in the meantime, tell us what you think by voting below!

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