(ARA) – Sunshine and summer go together like coconut and pineapple. Yet when winter arrives with shorter days and cooler temperatures, the amount of sun that enters your home can be more important than at any other time of year.
posted: September 17
(ARA) - As summer subsides, people may lose sight of their weight loss goals until the start of the New Year. And the temptation of unhealthy holiday treats right around the corner may make it even more difficult to stay on track. But the fall can serve as the perfect time to commit to fighting fat with a healthier approach to eating and being active.
(ARA) – Now that summer is over you might not be showing as much skin, but that doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of it. Colder months present unique challenges for keeping skin moisturized, protected and smooth.
(ARA) - The long fall and holiday seasons are a time full of parties and gatherings where one wants to look their best. And as the temperatures drop, it’s also a great time to find the latest and greatest in new fashions, but the last thing you want to do is deal with the heavy crowds at the mall.
(ARA) – Nothing beats spending time with loved ones during the holidays, but the process of getting there can leave a lot to be desired. Traffic on the roads, crowds at the airport and expensive plane tickets and hotel rooms may challenge your resolve in maintaining your holiday cheer. But if you plan ahead and are smart about your travel, you won’t need to worry about turning into a grinch before you get to your destination.
(ARA) – With shorter days and cooling temperatures, autumn brings many changes that can affect your home. Now is the ideal time for homeowners to prepare their homes to be secure and energy efficient. With some easy updates and modern tools, your home will be ready for fall with surprisingly little effort.
(ARA) – When entertaining during the holiday season, time is of the essence. Between cleaning, shopping, decorating and mingling with friends and family, there’s hardly enough time to cook let alone prepare an elaborate seven course meal. However, the lack of time doesn’t mean your food or your guests have to suffer. By combining classic dishes with unique ingredients, you can enhance the flavor of your recipes without having to spend the entire evening in the kitchen.
(ARA) - The golden days of autumn are upon us, signaling a new direction in home decor and entertaining. What are your plans for updating your house? These easy tips will bring the feeling of fall into your home without a lot of money or extra effort.
(ARA) - Winter is on the way and it could shape up to be extra frigid in many parts of the country. AccuWeather.com has predicted the winter months at the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 could be comparable to the extreme cold much of the country experienced in the late 1970s.
(ARA) - With summer again fading into fall, all around you people are prepping for the back-to-school season and even gearing up for the coming winter holidays. But who says you have to give up all the fun of summer just yet? Fall is a great time to indulge in a getaway, especially if you're heading to a locale that was crowded when the weather was especially warm.
(ARA) - The crisp days of fall will soon be here, but a long dry summer has left many homeowners looking out on lawns and gardens overtaken with invasive weeds and vines. A yard full of these noxious plants is sure to make it difficult to enjoy the cooler outdoor temperatures.
(ARA) - Whether you're hitting the beach or heading for the mountains, why not pack a picnic that is worthy of your adventures?
(ARA) - The cooler weather signals squirrels to store away nuts, birds to fly south and leaves to fall from trees, but cooler weather also means that bugs will be looking for a comfy, cozy place to spend the winter. Unfortunately, your house fits that bill.
(ARA) - With more than 100 scenic byways throughout America, there is plenty to see and do on the road no matter the time of year. So, as the seasons roll by, jump in the car and take in fall's vibrant leaves, winter's snowy wonderland, spring's wildflowers and summer's long hours of light.
(ARA) - As most allergy sufferers will tell you, allergy symptoms can always be bothersome, turning any time of year into sneezing season. A runny nose, itchy eyes and scratchy throat can arise as the days get shorter and the leaves begin to change.
(ARA) - Burgers and hot dogs may be the darlings of summer barbecues, and grilled goodies get all the glamour, but what would summer dining be without condiments? While tried-and-true favorites like classic Vlasic dills will always have their place on a summer table, the sky is the limit when it comes to new condiment options to transform the flavors of any meal. Here are a few ideas for using creative condiments to add flare to your summer dining.
(ARA) - Got your extra-long sheets? Check. Flip-flops for the shower? Check. What about your school-branded hoodie, hat and T-shirt? You may think you've thought of everything for your first year of college, but without a plan to achieve success you are still unprepared.
(ARA) - When it's time to prepare for the start of a new school year, shopping for school supplies is at the top of any family's to-do list. Students want supplies that are fun and reflect their personality. Parents look for items that are reliable and budget-friendly. The good news is this year's top trends in school supplies offer all those qualities, making shopping enjoyable for the entire family.
(ARA) - Standing up for your friend as her maid of honor or bridesmaid is a special experience you'll both remember all your lives. Yet your happiness for your friend, and your joy at participating in her wedding, can be tempered by concerns about the costs associated with being a member of the wedding party.
(ARA) - For the nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes, high temperatures and increased sun exposure can pose particularly dangerous health risks. During warm weather, experts caution that people with diabetes must take extra care to avoid serious, heat-related conditions.
(ARA) - Weddings are a feast for the senses. Anyone who's been part of planning a wedding knows that every detail of the sights, sounds and tastes of the event are given attention. But what about the aromas? You can make your special day even more memorable by using the clean, natural scents of pure essential oils to create the perfect atmosphere for your celebration.
(ARA) - The hot days of summer are the perfect time to relax with friends in the backyard and sample delicious fruits and salads while sipping chilled drinks.
(ARA) - This year's tick population, including the increased number of the treatments throughout the Mid-Atlantic, has a somewhat surprising cause ... acorns.
(ARA) - Academic performance expectations, attendance at school functions, and balancing extra-curricular activities with time for homework - parents and children have a lot to talk about at the beginning of the school year. Few conversations, however, will be as important - or as fraught with tension - as discussing how children should, and should not, behave online.
(ARA) - What makes an outdoor party great? It's simple: Keep guests comfortable.
(ARA) - It's easy to overexert yourself during the inevitable summertime heat wave. Any common outdoor activity - such as gardening, sports, entertaining or vacationing - can quickly turn you into a sweaty mess when temperatures soar. Keeping cool isn't simply a matter of comfort, either; it's also a matter of safety.
(ARA) - No matter what your summer plans are, everyone is looking to have a great time with friends and family. Keep the summer exciting with new activities and snacks. Trying new adventures in good company makes for lasting memories.
(ARA) - The sun is shining and the smell of charcoal is in the air - it's officially grilling season. Eighty-five percent of consumers will take to the tongs for some outdoor grilling this summer, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. So what's on the menu?
(ARA) - The official start of summer is upon us and with it comes school breaks, longer days, vacations and social soirees galore. Summertime only comes around once a year, so make a pledge to make this summer the best you've ever had by planning ahead and staying in the loop about the season's hottest activities.
(ARA) - Early summer marks the beginning of the California grape season. These bite-size treats are the perfect snack - crisp, sweet and only 90 calories per 3/4 cup serving. Grapes are also very juicy, making them a welcome source of hydration as outdoor activities and temperatures increase.
(ARA) - As Americans fire up their grills and the smell of charcoal pervades the blistering summer air, cheeseburgers claim the spot as the paramount menu item from coast to coast.
(ARA) - If your photos seem too bright, cluttered or ordinary, you can take simple steps to avoid these and other common photography mistakes.
(ARA) - Swimsuit ready? Not for long. Gaining the weight you lost preparing for summer is so easy, you're likely to do it without trying. If you don't stop the eating patterns that unintentionally cause weight gain, you'll never be successful losing body fat.
(ARA) - Walking on the beach, frolicking in the surf, participating in sports, strolling through a theme park while on vacation - your feet will carry you through a lot of fun this summer. But can paying attention to them help you avoid the most common form of cancer in America? Possibly, experts say.
(ARA) - Summer is a great time for a road trip. With kids out of school and longer hours of daylight, many families will head out on the highway to a variety of summer vacation destinations. For many, night-time driving will be an unavoidable necessity if they want to make the most of their vacation time.
Summer itself is the perfect excuse to throw a party - no holidays required. All you need are the right festive ingredients to make sure that your friends show up and that everyone has a great time. So, whether you want to have an impromptu gathering in mid-July or a blowout bash for Labor Day, make sure that you do a little bit of planning ahead of time.
(ARA) - When the weather warms and the heat arrives, it seems everyone has a reason to smile. Whether you prefer to cool off with a dip in the pool or with a tall cool drink in the shade, we all have ways to beat the heat. But what about your dog? Pets can suffer from heat just like people.
(ARA) - Pet parents know that the best way to put an extra wag in a dog's tail and a spring in his step is to mention the word "walk" or "outside." We've all seen it before. Pets automatically perk up at the opportunity for time outdoors. Additionally, an active lifestyle is just as beneficial for the pets as it is for the pet owners and promotes a healthy routine, while strengthening the loving bond.
(ARA) - When school lets out for summer, exchange those flip flops for gardening shoes. Add a pair of gloves, good sun-block and get out into the garden.
(ARA) - Summer is here, which means it's time to pack your bags for vacation, dust off your beach umbrella and fire up the grill. Unfortunately many people will not only feel the summer heat outside with friends, but also inside their chest. Summer is prime time for heartburn.
(ARA) - Your sweaters have made their way to the back of your closet and your scarves, hats and gloves have migrated to the top shelf. And now, as you rush to get out the door for work in the morning, you might feel less than enthusiastic as you take stock of your warm weather wardrobe. Your dresses have been in the line up longer than you care to remember and those shoes have seen better days. It's time to hit the mall and give your style a summer lift.
(ARA) - You've been picking up a bottle of wine along with all the rest of your groceries for years. But have you been doing it right? Ever wondered why certain wines taste so good with certain foods? You're not alone. The answers are as simple and complex as the varietals you choose with your meal.
(ARA) - Did you know it's possible to save hundreds of dollars a year when it comes to automotive expenses? You can save money and keep your car running longer by doing a little research and by upgrading some of the car care products you already buy.
(ARA) - For many people, summer means fun in the sun that includes outdoor activities like running, hiking, biking and team sports. But an active lifestyle can take a toll on the body and bring about aches and pains from muscles and joints that haven't been utilized during the fall and winter.
(ARA) - With hurricane season underway, those in the South and East are encouraged to revisit their hurricane preparedness plans. While stocking up on essential items - like food and water - and making necessary fixes - like boarding windows - are automatic actions for most, here are a few unique hurricane preparedness tips that homeowners might not normally think of.
(ARA) - Certain foods and holidays are synonymous - Thanksgiving and Turkey, Halloween and Candy, just to name a few. But did you know that many foods have holidays all their own? From National Pie Day (Jan. 23) and National Chili Dog Day (July 26) to National Mustard Day (Aug. 4) and Homemade Bread Day (Nov. 17), hungry Americans have something to celebrate almost every day throughout the year. But until now, one of the country's oldest and most popular foods, went unrecognized.
(ARA) - Every two years, girls all over the world are captivated by the achievements of female athletes competing in the Olympic Games. Their successes inspire girls to try new things or pursue achievements they may not have thought possible. While not everyone wants to be an Olympic athlete, every girl should be encouraged to go for the gold when it comes to her goals and dreams.
(ARA) - During summer, many of us look forward to fun-filled days at the pool or beach, but we definitely don't look forward to exorbitantly high cooling bills during the heat of the season.
(ARA) - Each season celebrities and models strut down the runways wearing the latest fashion and beauty trends that inspire women everywhere. Every fashionable woman knows that getting the most sought-out dress or top isn't enough. Hair can be your best accessory and if styled correctly, can make your entire look.
(ARA) - "Did you go anywhere over summer vacation?" That is the question heard in school hallways and cafeterias at the start of every new school year. While the standard answers of "I visited my grandparents" or "I went to sleep away camp" circulate, imagine if your child excitedly responded "I explored the Australian Outback, designed traditional tango dresses in Argentina and learned the art of Irish dance in Ireland." Better yet, imagine if your child learned all of this without having to go on an expensive and time-consuming international trip.