Both Margery Kashman (Margie, as she’s called by friends) and her daughter, Amy Weismann, struggled with their weight for years. Through the decades, Margie steadily grew from a petite size 5, when she was a teenager, to a size 20. Amy fought a similar battle since she was a child and, by the time she reached her early 20s, weighed more than 200 pounds. Not too long ago, both ladies decided they’d had enough. Enough of avoiding mirrors and scales. Enough of feeling out of control at the dinner table. Enough of buying clothes at plus-size stores. … //READ MORE

Here’s one trend that won’t ruffle you. Designers have taken basic fashion pieces and adorned them with clusters of festive feathers. These airy accessories help keep the birds warm—so why not use them to heat up your winter wardrobe? With the exception of some froufrou styles that came flying down the runway, most of the season’s feathered friends aren’t unnecessarily fussy, so you won’t need to worry about overdoing it. Look for elegant dresses, vests, skirts and handbags softened with just the right amount of the light-as-a-you-know-what stuff, or Native American-inspired jewelry sprinkled with just a feather or two. Choose one item to make the centerpiece of your next date-night outfit, and this look will be a feather in your fashion cap. … //READ MORE

It’s January and you feel like crawling into bed and staying there until spring—or at least until Mr. Groundhog declares warmer weather is on the way. If the winter blues have you down, you’re not alone. It’s common to feel tired, unhealthy and even mildly depressed after the holidays wind down. But the reasons might not be exactly what you think. Here are five culprits to consider, and advice on how to combat them. … //READ MORE

Many of us hate making New Year’s resolutions. First of all, they’re so cliché. Second, why wait until January to do something you should be doing all year long? And finally, if you’re going to make a promise to yourself, why choose something you’re not likely to accomplish (like abolishing every last drop of sugar from your diet), or something that shouldn’t be rushed (remember how Charlotte in Sex and the City promised herself, “This is the year I meet and marry Mr. Right!”—to disastrous results).

Here are five resolutions that are meaningful, achievable and worthy of your attention year round. Making just one of these a consistent goal can have lasting positive effects on your entire life, from your relationships and career to your mental health. So give them a try, but go easy on yourself (see #4) if you regress now and then. … //READ MORE

Yes, you’ve been hearing holiday songs everywhere since Halloween, but today’s the day you may finally feel like listening to some. As you relax at home with your loved ones—perhaps sitting down for the first time after a busy week—here are our Top 10 Holiday Songs of all time, suitable for every sentiment this season. Get your playlists ready! … //READ MORE

This week, many of us are spending some time in the kitchen. We’re slicing, dicing and combining delicious flavors into festive dishes to share with friends and family. And to ensure that our holiday meals turn out just right, we’ve chosen the freshest, most aromatic ingredients available. If we’re lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, some of those ingredients may have even come straight from our garden. 

According to Allison Evanow, founder of Novato, Calif.,-based Square One Organic Spirits, this creative impulse lies behind everything culinary—whether it’s served on a plate or in a cocktail glass. … //READ MORE