First Dates Are Inherently Awkward—Here’s Why Why do first dates feel so weird, anyway? Christie Kederian, Ph.D., psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist, says it has a lot to do with the wide range of thoughts racing through our minds. “On a first date, there’s a lot that’s happening psychologically,” she says. “You’re having to juggle multiple layers in your mind.” The first layer is reconciling that you’re going out to spend time with someone you previously may have never laid eyes on....

One of the best things about the world’s newfound TikTok obsession are all the beauty products that have been discovered from the platform. With so many products on the market, many products are unfortunately overlooked in the oversaturated space. With the help of these short demo videos, you can discover some super clever finds that serve to make your life just a little easier during these crazy times. Here are some of our currently trending favorites....

To buy: $48; kiehls.com. To buy: $52; sephora.com. To buy: $15; target.com. To buy: $48; sephora.com. To buy: $39 for 60 pads; ulta.com. To buy: $62; littlebarnapothecary.com. To buy: $23; ulta.com. To buy: $59; sephora.com.

Beauty companies have long used this practice with body scrubs and lotions. But nowadays, more makeup brands are doing the same, creating products that take on the smell and/or the appearance of food. Companies are creating vegan products that are solely made of organic materials, utilizing those strong scents. Some of their flavored products are even safe enough to eat. Although we don’t advise actually consuming them, here are some of our favorite food-inspired beauty products....

You’ll be surprised by what ordinary items can be transformed into beautifully intricate snowflakes. Clothespins become dazzling tree ornaments, reinforcement stickers (yes, that utilitarian office item you’ve had tucked in your drawer forever) become gorgeous gift tags for the very best Christmas gifts, ribbon helps transform an inexpensive throw pillow into seasonal décor, paper straws turn into whimsical window hangings, and well, you get the idea. What’s even better? All these fun snowflake crafts can be completed in an hour or less; with minimal supplies, too....

But gifting money has a lot of questions around it. How much money can you gift to your family? How do you gift money to a child? Is just adding money to a Visa gift card a great gift? And how do you ask for money as a gift? According to Swann, the amount of money you gift depends on your budget, your relationship with the giftee, and the type of occasion....

Well, we went ahead and did the hard work for you by reaching out to manicurists who are very tapped into the nail scene. They filled us in on the top trending dark nail colors for fall and winter, which means you spend more time admiring your new mani/pedi and less time hemming and hawing over which hue to pick. Best Dark Nail Colors Our pick: Essie Force of Nature (10; target....

While getting in your steps, you can download a podcast episode or two to catch up on the news, take a deep-dive into pop culture, learn a thing or two about history, or even raise your heart rate just a little bit more with a true-crime thriller. Here are a few podcasts to add to your library that will have you walking even further just so you can finish the episode....

There’s now an entire cottage industry devoted to solo travelers, including companies catering to solo women travelers looking to stay safe, solo millennials hoping to make friends, and even seniors wanting to get out and see the world on their own terms. Truly, I can tell you from first-person experience that traveling alone can be a dream. After all, you can get up whenever you want, eat whatever you want, see whatever you want, spend time doing whatever you want, and go to bed whenever you damn please without answering to anyone along the way (other than the voice inside your head)....

If you’re in the latter group, you may be looking for ways to cope. Should you avoid the news, or wallow in it? Will you feel better by sharing your thoughts on social media, or worse? Yes, it’s a cliché but you can start by taking a deep breath—literally—says Diana Winston, director of mindfulness education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center. It won’t change the outcome of the race but that simple act has been scientifically proven to help curb anxiety and refocus your attention....

.

iRobot Roomba j7+ 7550 Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum, $799 Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, $10 Shark Steam Pocket Mop, $70 (was $90) Windex Multi-Surface Cleaner, $3 Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Pack of 10, $12 Black + Decker Dustbuster, $39 (was $48) Ovwo Microfiber Dusting Cloths Pack of 12, $10 (was $14) Bissell PowerGlide Pet Slim Corded Vacuum, $196 Mrs. Meyers Kitchen Essentials Set, $13 O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop, $33 (was $38) A comprehensive cleaning stockpile should include floorcare essentials like a powerful vacuum and a mop with reusable pads (bonus points if it’s a steam mop), bathroom cleaners, dusters, and multi-purpose cleaners for just about everything else....

Novum Crafts Round Rattan Bag, $32 SheIn Floral Tie Front Dress, $32 Beachsissi High-Waisted Bikini Swimsuit, $32 Havaianas Slim You Trancoso Sandal, $42 Bay Laurel Turkish Beach Towel with Travel Bag, $23 Imily Bela Racerback Tank Top, $28 (was $36) Cupshe Floral Print Knot Bikini Set, $28 Levi’s Mid-Rise Shorts, $24 Angashion Spaghetti Strap Midi Dress, $34 Little Star Shop Acrylic Ring Set, $13 The Drop Britt Tiered Maxi Dress, $60 Levi’s Mid-Length Shorts, $32 (was $50) Ray-Ban Aviator Classic Sunglasses, $213 Crocs Classic Clogs, $44 (was $50) Cupshe Ruffle Bikini Swimsuit, $26 (was $30)...

Just like many others, my husband and I immediately joined the plant-based burger bandwagon. We subbed out our typical red meat burgers and grilled chicken for Impossible burgers and sausages. We encouraged our friends to try them and even brought them to family barbecues, hoping to convert our loved ones with one single bite. Admittedly, It wasn’t until a few months later that I turned over the Impossible Burger package and noticed the lengthy list of ingredients....

If you want to cut the prep time in half, try some instant mashed potato upgrades instead of prepping the potatoes from scratch. Also, if you have some white wine left from cooking, pour a glass for yourself; it will also pair nicely with the meal.

Reader question: Why do sensitive skin products still irritate my sensitive skin? Can you recommend some that actually work? —Rachel Hamaker “Clean beauty” has become a buzzy term, but here’s the thing: Many people assume anything that has “all-natural” on the label is uniformly safe for sensitive skin, and that’s not the case. “They can still contain botanicals and fragrances, which can worsen irritation for some,” points out Marisa Garshick, M....

Aside from the usual differentiators (Is it oaky? Is it dry?), there’s another characteristic that’s becoming more and more of a sticking point among American wine consumers. Just like the food we eat, Americans are looking for sustainable wines from growers who practice natural and biodynamic farming. But what do those terms actually mean? More importantly, is buying a bottle just because it says “biodynamic” any better than another? Let’s break down the basics behind the buzzword....