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The How-To Lounge: Making the Best of Things

DearSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Financially, things are rough right now, and even if you’re not personally affected, it’s impossible to miss the changes happening everywhere as people lose their homes and their jobs. In such a time of uncertainty, it’s easy to let worries overtake you. But as they say about life giving you lemons, maybe it's time to make lemonade. To see my ideas for doing just that,

14 Things to Do When It's Chilly

DearSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0700

When other people are wishing it were still Summer, I'm savoring the Fall air. But even though I love Fall, I admit that this in-between season can be difficult for planning ahead since there's always a possibility of rain, wind, or chills. Fortunately, I've got a list of things to do if you wake up to a gray morning when you expect sun.

Stay in bed!
Rent a few movies or download a season of a TV show you've been meaning to watch.
Clean out your closet.
Invite your friends over to play a board game and drink hot buttered rums.
Make a casserole, a roast, or one of your other favorite comfort foods.
Reread your favorite young adult book.
Do a yoga video in your living room.

To see the rest just

Relationship Protocol: How Do You Cheer Each Other Up?

DearSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

When you’re in a relationship, one person’s mood undoubtedly affects the other’s. If you’re angry, he’s going to be worried until he knows what’s wrong, and if he’s sad, you’re going to be concerned until he starts to perk up. But while being in a relationship does make moods interdependent, it also gives you an automatic cheer-up buddy — the person who will pull out all the stops to get you smiling again. Ladies, when you’re down and out, what does your man do to get you up and feeling like yourself again? And do you have any tricks to make him happy?

Source

Little Things to Make You Smile

DearSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I always know I'm in a good mood or feeling happy if I catch myself sporting a big goofy grin just going about my day-to-day business. All it takes is a simple moment or a kind word to perk me up and get me grinning. However, sometimes, and I don't think I'm alone on this, a smile is a lot harder to come by than it should be. In an attempt to make every day smile worthy, I've put together a list of little things that always leave me with a happy feeling. Check them out and add your own!

Getting a random hug from someone you love.
A latte executed just how you like it.
Rain on your roof at night.
And a sunny morning the next day.
Scarves, purses, and new shoes!
A phone call from an old friend.
Green lights all the way home.
Receiving an actual card in the mail.
Getting dressed in the morning and realizing it's going to be a "skinny" day.

To see the rest of my list

Dear Poll: Do You Find Others’ Happiness Contagious or Grating?

DearSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

There’s a reason why “misery loves company” seems to be such a true cliché — for some people, being around happy people when they feel sad is a lot like having someone laugh directly in their face. But learning how to derive happiness from other’s good moods is a great ability, and one I’m still working on! Do you find happiness in others contagious or just irritating?Source

Dear Poll: Do You Find Others’ Happiness Contagious or Grating?

Seeing someone else happy always perks my mood!

When I’m in a bad mood, I don’t want to be around anyone who’s giddy.

It really depends on who the person is.

Other — Please share.

The How-To Lounge: Getting Excited About Fall

DearSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I love the Fall; there’s something so special about those months just before Winter. But even though I enjoy the Fall season, for some reason every year, I have a terrible time letting go of Summer and all those long, hot nights. So I’ve come up with some tips for taking the edge off. To see them,

Guess Who Said It?

DearSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Who said this about the man in her life?

"I’m happy and that’s all that matters. I have someone really great. Someone who can make me laugh — that’s always what comes first. It’s the best to be able to really, like, truly laugh with someone like they’re your best friend, you know?"

Do Tell: What's the Best Gift You've Ever Received?

DearSugar — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I really love giving gifts. There’s something so gratifying when you find the perfect present and watch someone’s face bloom into a smile as she or he receives it. Still, I think the best gifts are those that can’t be wrapped and tied with a bow. Immaterial gifts usually require extra thought and foresight, and in my own life, seem to hold the most meaning. Ladies, do tell: What’s the best gift you’ve been given?

Source

The How-To Lounge: Living in the Present Moment

DearSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

In this rapid-fire, digital age, living in the present and enjoying the moment can seem about as possible as avoiding a computer monitor for one day. With the speed at which we communicate and interact, learning to take each moment as it comes is more important than ever. Where’s the satisfaction in anything if you can’t even take a minute to enjoy it? Keeping your mind in the here and now is no easy feat, so to see my tips

Guess Who?

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Guess which runway beauty and mother said these words about "the one" in her life?

"We seemed to know from the get-go. Just with everything — the way he is. He's very gentle and he wants to have a family and we like a lot of the same things. [It's about] looking for someone to get old with and having fun and obviously being physically attractive to each other."

The How-To Lounge: Making the Most Out of Your Weekend

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I think we all can agree that when you work or go to school full time during the week, the weekends become sacred. But even so, sometimes the dread of going back to work or exhaustion from the week makes it hard to take advantage of the weekends properly. I know I’ve been guilty of this once or twice before, so check out my advice for making the most out of your weekend,

How Much Is a Friendship Worth?

DearSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

According to Pop, although Spencer didn't join The Hills ladies on the cover of Rolling Stone, he did manage put in a few words acknowledging the Heidi-Lauren riff as a major factor in the show's success. While we all know that to be true, I couldn't help but wonder what I would be willing to do to a friend just to be rich and famous.

I hope that I would never feel OK about publicly destroying a friendship for the sake of the cameras, the producers, or the viewers. And even if the girls are just acting, it seems almost impossible to not get hurt feelings. So is sacrificing a friendship just the cost of celeb status? Or are some people more willing to sacrifice for fame? Tell me ladies, how much fame or fortune would you throw away a friendship for?

Source

The How-To Lounge: Moving Forward

DearSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Even if you’re the one doing the breaking, breaking up isn’t easy. But when you’re the one being rejected and having your heart broken, it’s especially difficult. In my opinion, the very worst part of the breakup is when you actually have to let go. To check out some helpful advice on making this experience easier,

The How-To Lounge: Having More Fun

DearSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Whether we like to admit it, the stress and burden of daily life often gets in the way of having a little fun, and without fun, things can get boring and depressing. I’m a firm believer that happiness is the key to good health and a long life, so why not incorporate more fun into your life? To see my ideas on how to do just that,

Not Just Your Typical Dinner and a Movie

DearSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700

The other day I overheard a woman complaining to one of her girlfriends that once you hit a certain point in a relationship, dinner and a movie just don’t cut it as date night anymore. But wanting more (or needing to spend less) from the typical date night is truly a common complaint for everyone in a relationship or couples just starting out. To check out the suggestions I’ve come up with to add some pizzazz to your date night,

Do Tell: What Do You Do For You?

DearSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:31:22 -0800

I recently asked you what you do just for your guy, and I wasn't surprised to find out that you all do a lot of compromising to make him happy. Compromise is great, and it makes for a healthy relationship when it's reciprocated, but so does giving into your own needs and wants every once and a while. I love to save up all my favorite sappy dramas and worst reality shows throughout the week on my DVR and give myself a mini-marathon on a free Sunday afternoon but what about you? Do tell ladies, is there anything special or even mundane that's something you do just because it makes you feel good?

Source

Faking Pefection

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

I don't know if you guys caught it, but Katie Holmes appeared on Good Morning America yesterday in a rare television interview. As a fan of the pre-Tom Cruise Katie, it's been hard getting used to the very fashionable, put together, and happy new Katie. Sure, being happy is a good thing, but is it just me or does she seem a little too happy? Yes, her daughter's perfect, her husband's uberfamous, and she's rich, but come on, some things have to be hard! I find myself wondering if everything is really as it appears.

Sometimes it seems like the more excessive people are about something, the more insecure they feel. It's as if they're trying to convince themselves that they're doing as well as they wish they were. So what do you think, is Katie faking it? Do you know anyone who pretends to be happy or flawless as a way of compensating for imperfections and fears?

Source

News to Me: A Happy Heart Could Keep You Healthy

DearSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

We all know that being happy feels better than feeling depressed, but now research shows that happiness could actually make you healthier.

In a British study of 3,000 adults, those with cheerful moods had lower levels of a stress hormone called cortisol. When levels of this hormone are elevated for a long period of time, high blood pressure, belly obesity, and lowered–immune system functioning can result. Another thing they discovered was that there are two proteins in the blood that when found in large quantities, indicates there could be an inflammation in the body, which can contribute to heart disease and cancer. Joyful women (but oddly enough not men) in the study showed low levels of these two proteins in their blood so researchers concluded that there is a definite link between happiness and health.

This news is pretty great motivation to get happy, isn't it? Try to avoid the things in your life that stress you out or make you upset. Not only will you live a more pleasant life, but you'll enjoy a longer one, too!

Source

Dear Poll: How Satisfied are You?

DearSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Typically, women are better communicators than men, but when it comes to sex, women seem to be hesitant about asking for what they want in-between the sheets. As we all know, men are not mind readers so it's important for us to be vocal about our needs and desires in addition to giving our men positive feedback when they are do something that feels good. Now it's pretty clear from some of the e-mails I receive that not everyone has the most perfect sex life, (although 41% of you said your oral sex life was great so be honest ladies, as it stands now, how is your sex life?Source

Dear Poll: How Satisfied are You?

I have a great sex life right now. My partner makes me feel very comfortable and for the first time, I am uninhibited

It's good, but it's not great - there is definitely room for improvement

Honestly, it's not as good as I want it to be but I have no idea how to tell him - it would break his heart!

Nonexistent and I'm not happy about it

Other - Please share!

You Asked: Should I Follow My Dreams?

DearSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar--

Ok ok, I know this is a pretty broad question, but I'm a 29 year old female (and I'm not getting any younger) who lives in Boston and has an office job. Needless to say... I hate it! I know I should be grateful for what I have and I definitely am, but I'm way too creative and passionate for this!!! I also don't have a degree either so it makes it even harder to search for a good job.

However I've always wanted to get into acting, I absolutely love it... I love the movies, I love the way they make me laugh and cry, especially because the actresses are truly amazing. I know this sounds crazy but I feel like given the right opportunity I'd be the right person for the job! (given the right job, ha) I know crazy right? But I wake up every morning and think about it. I watch commercials and movies and reenact them, and I feel this strange feeling in my heart and soul when I just think about the possibility of having a career that I love. I by no means want to be a Hollywood "starlet." I just want to contribute something and get something back in return. Am I wishing on a falling star? Could this really happen?

--The Girl Who's Asking For Too Much?

To see DEARSUGAR's answer

How Happy Are You?

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:45:00 -0700

How happy are you? I mean truly happy? We are only human, so it's no wonder we have good days and bad days, but how satisfied are you with your overall way of life?

Click here to

The Gratitude Project: Sunday, March 25th

DearSugar — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 04:01:00 -0700

Welcome to the Gratitude Project, our practice of noticing and actively valuing the good things that happen in our lives. Featured every Sunday, we'll all be listing at least 3 things, in detail, that we're grateful for from this past week. I'll keep the link open throughout the week on the Editor's Picks box, so you can post on the weekdays, too.

For more details about the research on health, decreasing levels of stress hormones, increasing happiness and gratitude, please read the post in which I previewed this feature. Lots of good stuff there.

I'll get things rolling, okay? Click here to

The Gratitude Project: Sunday, March 18th

DearSugar — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 04:01:00 -0700

I'll get things rolling, okay? Click here to

The Gratitude Project

DearSugar — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 09:01:00 -0700

For more details about the research on health, increased happiness and gratitude, please read the post in which I previewed this feature. Lots of good stuff there.

I'll get things started. Click here to

Do Tell: Amazed and Surprised

DearSugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 06:00:00 -0800

Sometimes things seem routine in a way that can be flat or too predictable, and sometimes routines can be comforting. What I'm wondering, ladies, is when you were last really, truly, genuinely surprised by something, in a good way. Do tell, what about it was surprising and why?

Source

Beginning This Sunday: Gratitude Project

DearSugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Beginning this Sunday, and posting every Sunday morning, a new feature will appear on DearSugar. It's a bit of an experiment, but I hope you'll enjoy it and use it. I think of it as The Venting Machine's hopeful cousin.

Click here to

Pillow Talk: Laughing

DearSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:00:00 -0800

As we all know, maintaing a successful relationship takes work and dedication, but good, old-fashioned fun is a big part of the equation as well. A great many of my best and sweetest memories involve laughing with my partner. "Laughter is the best medicine" is an old adage, but research shows it isn't just a cliche after all.

To read more