Woman's Day August/September 2024

Skip the pricey manicure, because DIYing a salonworthy design is simpler than you think. Apply a neutral polish to your nails and then, once they’re dry, use a nail-art pen to place small dots in clusters. Turn to page 32 for more bite-size wisdom how to reach us SUBSCRIPTIONS online womansday.com/service mail Woman’s Day PO Box 37870 Boone, IA 50037-0870 telephone 800-234-2960 EDITORIAL email womansday@hearst.com mail Reader Mail Woman’s Day 300 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 When requesting a reply, include telephone number and address. REPRINTS AND EPRINTS Contact Brian Kolb, Wright’s Reprints, 877-652-5295 or bkolb@wrightsreprints.com Inspiration to go Our portable box of Bible verse cards will help you find words of hope and strength when you need them most. $16, womansday.com/prayercards…

Our brand-new reality show, My Perfect Day With Woman’s Day, premieres this month. On each episode I get to be a fairy godmother–style host who surprises deserving folks with the ultimate yay day. (Turn to page 40 for a sneak peek.) But we didn’t need TV magic to make my daughter’s eighth-grade graduation day truly special—I had all the feels during the beautiful Mass and ceremony. I had tucked my late father’s and my beloved Nana’s hankies in my purse, wanting them both to be there with us in spirit for this milestone moment, and they were. I was a puddle of happy tears from the very first hymn. (Why does hearing children singing in church make me so emotional?) I thought about how hard middle school is, not to…

Didja know… Peaches are classified into three groups: clingstone (fruit flesh clings to the pit), freestone (flesh separates easily from the pit), and semi-freestone.…

In addition to calling up your best buds on Friendship Day, take time to reflect on what kind of friend you’re being and how you can be an even better one. Let this thoughtful advice from Anna Goldfarb, author of the new book Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections, inspire you: 1 Pay attention to how your friends’ lives evolve. If you notice a change in someone’s lifestyle or finances, adjust accordingly. For example, if a friend is taking a break from drinking alcohol, suggest a coffee date or a walk instead of happy hour. If a friend is between jobs, suggest low-cost activities or invite them to a casual dinner at your house. 2 Be accountability buddies. Brainstorm ways to help each other reach goals. It creates…

craving CRACKERS? Pass the cheese plate Sea salt almond flour crackers are exactly what my Cheddar was missing! I’m also a superfan of this brand’s baking mixes and bars. simplemills.com craving PRETZELS? You are knot alone I loved a hot pretzel at a ball game as a kid. Classic soft pretzel nuggets take me back. thegreaterknead.com craving PIZZA? Pizza d’oh! The chickpea crust on this roasted-veggie pizza is crispy yet deliciously doughy—and it never leaves me feeling bloated. eatbanza.com craving HOT DOGS? Sun’s out, buns out! With the best soft texture of anything I’ve tried, these certified GF rolls are my tailgate and BBQ go-to. shop.schaer.com craving an ICE CREAM SANDWICH? You can still scream for ice cream sammies! These 80-calorie mini cookie sandwiches satisfy my sweet tooth, and they’re nondairy. chloesfruit.com…

consider mental health Enrichment activities are especially important for dogs who spend time alone. Interactive toys, treat-dropping balls, and puzzles engage dogs and keep their brains stimulated. This helps prevent separation anxiety and destructive behaviors. empower them Plan occasional walks for which your dog sets the agenda. Decision-making builds confidence and allows dogs to be dogs. Let your dog determine the direction and length of the walk, and permit them to spend as much time as they want sniffing and urinating. “examine” them Train your dog to allow you to both look at and touch them all over (including their eyes, ears, teeth, coat, and nails). Checking these areas regularly can alert you to issues like ear infections, conjunctivitis, and dental disease.…