When you think of chocolate drinks, what probably comes to mind are powdery instant beverages that are stirred into milk, or else decadent soda-fountain treats. But lately, a new generation of ready-to-serve, cacao-infused concoctions has been popping up in health-food stores. They’re rich, creamy and—most of all—healthy. Low in sugar and fat, high in fiber and protein, and often organic, the neo-chocolate shake is anything but cocoa loco.

Cocoa Metro’s lowfat Belgian Chocolate Drink is a delicious, velvety treat I stumbled upon at Whole Foods Market. Made with all-natural ingredients, including reduced-fat milk and “heaps of Belgian chocolate,” this beverage also gets the award for the cleverest marketing. “You can fire your therapist,” the bottle reads. And, on another part of the package: “9 out of 10 people who wanted to be doctors agree” that the beverage rocks. Who could resist such wise-ass, hipster praise? … //READ MORE

Are you a flower-worshiping girly girl who digs pencil skirts and pastels, or a tomboyish type who needs to feel comfy at all costs? Or maybe you’re a straight-shooting power type ready to tackle the world. Whatever your fashion personality, designers have brought out something for you this season. There’s a color, style and silhouette for everyone, as a wildly diverse mix of trends continues to hit stores for spring and summer. Whether you’re shopping for athletic-inspired separates or ladylike shapes with a vintage appeal, here are some of the top fashion trends to consider.

Hey, ladies! If refined is your thing, now is the time to flaunt your femininity. Florals are growing in popularity, this time in bold photographic prints and large vintage-inspired blooms. Pastels are lending a soft touch to everything from A-line skirts to silk blouses, with blush-pink the most popular hue. Micro pleats are back in the fold, appearing on the smartest skirts and dresses. And billowy tea-length skirts—which fall just between midi and maxi—seemed to have popped out of a 1950s Christian Dior Look Book. … //READ MORE

People, can you believe it’s been 25 years? It’s been 25 years since we first watched a fresh-faced Meg Ryan and a sardonic Billy Crystal argue about whether men and women can sustain friendship, discuss the complexity of ordering pie à la mode, and finally realize, after a lonely New Year’s Eve, that they belong together. The brainchild of writer Nora Ephron and director Rob Reiner, who each brought to the film their unique perspectives on love and relationships, When Harry Met Sally is a true classic. Here, three of my favorite scenes from one of the best rom-coms ever, and the romantic truths that emerged from them.

Truth #1: Ladies, every man secretly wants to bang you. … //READ MORE

One of the things I admire about singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins, aside from her silky-yet-raspy-raw vocals, is the Everywoman appeal that manifests itself in her chameleon-like stage presence. One minute the New Jersey native is wearing a ladylike dress and pumps, belting out a torch song on Dave Letterman, or demurely answering Scott Simon’s civilized questions on NPR. The next, she’s flinging the F-bomb while dancing teasingly around a nightclub stage in a neo-hippie caftan. I had the pleasure of watching her do the later on a recent evening at Slims in San Francisco—a wet, windy, badass night on which many of her fans would’ve been justified in staying home and keeping dry. But they came anyway, because, well, their diva had just blown into town.

Atkins made venturing out in the rain—on a weeknight, no less—worth their while. “It’s a Monday night and you guys came out—I’m gonna cry,” she purred into one of two microphones set up on the small stage, which during songs she’d been moving back and forth between, like a woman torn between two equally desirable lovers. “It’s not even my birthday this time. But you still shoulda brought cake.”

The 35-year-old Italian-American singer spent the bulk of the show performing songs from her recently released third album, Slow Phaser, her first … //READ MORE