When it comes to love, many of us claim we favor a certain “type.” We may also have a mental checklist of desirable traits we seek in a mate, such as a sense of humor, a tall stature, or even a respectable bank account. But according to cultural anthropologist Helen Fisher, a leading expert on the biology of love and attraction, chemistry is what drives us to fall hard for someone.

The powerful feelings shared by two people who are deeply attracted to one another is the stuff romantic poems and songs are made of. But scientists have discovered that love as we humans know it is spurred on by chemicals in our bodies. Was Tina Turner right when she sang, “What’s love got to do with it?” Could that emotion we all yearn for be nothing more than hormone-driven chemistry? … //READ MORE

Whether you’re happily attached, looking for love or mending a broken heart, the L word may be occupying your thoughts this month. Here, our favorite words of wisdom on the all-consuming topic. … //READ MORE

When singer-songwriter Whitney Nichole isn’t composing music or performing in front of live audiences, you’ll find her in the San Francisco music studio she founded with her husband, photographer Niall David, doing one of her favorite things in the world: teaching students how to find their voice. Since launching her business, Songbird Studios, back in 2009, Nichole has not only released her first full-length album, 100 Strong, and performed her pop songs around the country. She’s also been getting singers both young and old excited in music and enjoying the exhilarating rewards of expressing themselves creatively.

Here, Nichole talks to Red Typewriter about the mood-boosting, brain-nurturing, confidence-building benefits of singing your heart out. … //READ MORE

‘Tis the season when it’s easy to give in to the vicious cycle of overspending and then stressing about the debt you’ve acquired. Well, we’ve got 10 simple ways for you to cut back this year. Warning: Some of them require that you defy holiday tradition and perhaps irk a few people, but it’s worth it if you want to keep your checkbook balanced through January!

1. Forget traditional holiday cards. Years ago, when those first brazen friends began posting holiday greetings online, or, even more scandalous, emailing them to 500 friends, it seemed tacky. Now, many people are going digital—even those folks who also send printed cards. While I still love sending holiday greetings via snail mail, cutting postage costs and reducing my carbon footprint seems like a wise idea.

2. Go for long-haul decorations. This past October, instead of putting dozens of Halloween decorations around my house, I limited myself to a few pumpkins and harvest adornments. When Thanksgiving approached, the garnishes were still relevant and actually stayed up until the end of November. In December, go with winter-themed ornaments (instead of Santas and reindeer) that will take you through the spring thaw.

3. Do wardrobe double duty. Got several holiday parties to dress up for? Don’t max out your credit card. Instead, buy one killer sheath dress or jumpsuit that can take you from day to evening and morph into several looks with a simple swap of accessories. For example, for a holiday lunch, wear a dress with tights, pumps and a scarf. For evening, dress it up with strappy platform sandals, sparkly earrings and a colorful clutch. Throw on a faux-fur stole or a long tuxedo jacket, or swap the shoes for sexy over-the-knee boots for a totally different look at your next soiree.

4. Skip the presents. Have you been afraid to tell certain long-distance family members that you’d like to discontinue the expensive gift exchange? Well, this is the year that you grow a pair and make the phone call. Maybe that relative is thinking the same thing, and she’d be relieved to pare down her list too. You can also suggest scaling back—for instance, only buying for the kids, or having each person pick a name out of a hat so that they’re purchasing only one present.

5. Buy in bulk. Even if you are shunning all gift swaps, sometimes you just need a hostess gift or a last-minute present for someone who stops by your house, invites you over for a holiday gathering, or has simply been so wonderful that you’d like to show your gratitude. Consider buying an entire case of wine so you have 12 bottles on hand for potential gifts, stopping at your local warehouse store to stock up on pre-wrapped holiday candies, tea or coffee; or keeping a stack of your favorite holiday book (purchased at a discount at Amazon.com) in your closet for a great impromptu present. For more great hostess gift ideas, visit Red Typewriter’s Pinterest page.

6. Give up channeling Betty Crocker. When the holidays arrive, there’s pressure to whip up fancy holiday meals and treats. Unless you absolutely love to cook and have tons of money to spend on gourmet goods, this can be overwhelming. Instead, plan ahead and purchase frozen appetizers, baking supplies and other party ingredients when they go on sale and store them for later holiday entertaining. If it’s time you’re looking to save, buy pre-cut cookies to decorate, instead of making them from scratch.

7. Party like it’s 2999. You wouldn’t be killing yourself if it were, right? You’d be spending time and having a great time with the ones you love. So this year, do more of that and less stressing over the perfect fete. Think easy and simple, and don’t be afraid to defy tradition and—gasp!—suggest something other than a formal sit-down dinner, even if your crew has been doing that for ages. Consider a potluck, a Christmas morning brunch, or a wine-and-cheese tree-trimming party.

8. Get out of town. Many airfare deals are to be had if you leave on Christmas day, instead of the week before the holiday. It’s not so bad: You can get up early, have a hearty breakfast, open the presents, and then head to the airport. For last-minute travel deals, check out Kayak.com, which culls data from more than 400 airlines and lets you compare multiple travel sites at once, or Expedia.com’s Last Minute Deals page.

9. Skip the Big New Year’s Eve Bash. This holiday irritates some folks as much as Valentine’s Day, not only because of the pressure to have a date, but also because of the extraordinary markups that restaurants, hotels and concert venues feel obliged to charge for this one night. One year my boyfriend and I spent $500 on two tickets to a supposedly elegant New Year’s Eve affair in Manhattan that ended up being packed wall-to-wall with people drinking out of plastic cups. Our best New Year’s Eves have been spent at small house parties with good friends, or snuggling up next to the fire with wine and a movie.

10. Gear up for next year. Just because you’re doing less work and having more fun doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead. The irony is that a little planning makes this new laissez-faire attitude of yours more feasible. Store decorations and other reusable holiday stuff in your garage or attic, so you can quickly pull everything out next year and don’t have to buy everything from scratch. Don’t forget to save leftover wrapping paper and ribbon so you can reuse next year.

Before you wrap another present or bake more holiday cookies, promise yourself to take time out of your hectic schedule to do something nice for yourself. After all, you can’t tackle that to-do list if you’re suddenly knocked out with the flu.

Here, 10 ways to ensure a healthier, happier and more fulfilling holiday season.

1. Nourish your body. Resist the urge to stuff your pantry with holiday treats. Instead, keep an assortment of low-calorie, immunity-boosting snacks on hand. Soup is one staple to have in your cabinets all winter. It keeps you feeling warm and full (read: too full to snack an hour later), and it’s a great way to load up on veggies and protein.

2. Take a timeout. When you’re feeling frazzled, stop what you’re doing, take some deep breaths and switch gears. Go for a run or walk, practice yoga, or meet up with a friend for coffee. You’ll return to your tasks with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

3. Pamper yourself. Take a little time during the day to pamper yourself—starting with your hands, which are probably taking a beating not just from the cold, but from all that baking and gift wrapping. Stock up on hand lotion and keep it near all the sinks in your home, and in your purse, to stay soft and sweet-smelling. We love Gloves In A Bottle ($18 at Walgreen’s), Origins Rejuvenating Hand Treatment ($22) or L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Lotion for Hands & Body ($26).

4. Delegate. For those of us who are a bit OCD, this can be tough, but try not to take it upon yourself to do absolutely everything. Have your significant other or your kids help too. Put them to work licking envelopes, mailing holiday cards or delivering goodies to the neighbors. Bonus points if you can get them out of the house for a while (holiday shopping, anyone?) and watch your own productivity soar.

5. Treat yourself. Shop for something you really want and buy it. Yes, it’s the season of giving, but how often do you shop for yourself? We’re talking about something you don’t necessarily need, but damn it’s pretty. Whether it’s a beautiful scarf or that new eye palette from your favorite makeup counter, every time you put it on you’ll feel fantastic.

6. Catch your Zs. Your mind is going a million miles an hour, so it’s vital that you get enough shut-eye. Sleep allows your body to repair itself, strengthens your immune system, and keeps your metabolism at an optimal level. If you’re having trouble dozing off at night, put away all the devices and read in bed to help yourself drift off.

7. Just say no. This one might be the hardest of all, but when you overcommit you set yourself up for too many negatives. If declining is not in your vocabulary, then break down the work. For example, if you promised to attend two Christmas parties on the same day, then stay at each party for only an hour or two. Most people will understand, and those who don’t may not be worth the effort.

8. Don’t attempt to please everyone. During this emotionally charged season, feelings can be more easily hurt and words may be taken out of context. Remember, we are all trying our best. It’s important to stay true to the spirit of the season—to get together, be grateful for those in our lives, and create long-lasting memories.

9. Fight the urge for perfection. If your children are decorating gingerbread houses or helping you wrap gifts, allow them to do it themselves, their way. So what if tape gets stuck in everyone’s hair or there’s frosting in all the wrong places. Everyone will enjoy themselves and feel proud of their creations when you let go and enjoy these beautiful, messy moments.

10. Be present. Give the people you love your undivided attention for five minutes, and you’ll see your mood elevate along with theirs. Share a glass of wine with your SO and ask him how his day was. Read a holiday story to a child in your life. Call your BFF and catch up on her family news.

It’s easy to get caught up in the stress, but come January, the holidays will be a distant memory and you may even find yourself wondering how you ever got that stressed to begin with…Well, maybe.

Happy Holidays from Red Typewriter!

Adele’s 2011 album 21, which sold 31 million copies worldwide and earned her six Grammys, was an emotionally charged exploration of heartbreak, loss and denial. But just who was the man who broke our diva’s heart and inspired her breakthrough songwriting? … //READ MORE