Worthwhile gap year requires well thought-out plans

By Beth J. Harpaz | May 18, 2012 - 9:57am

NEW YORK – Gap years are all the rage, and the rationales are many: Take a year off between high school and college to work, travel, learn a language or skill, or volunteer.

Reality TV, religion give birth to top baby names

By Stephen Ohlemacher | May 17, 2012 - 9:01am

WASHINGTON – Reality TV is giving birth to some of the most popular baby names. No, not Snooki.

Cheaper gas not enough to boost summer driving

By CHRIS KAHN and SAMANTHA BOMKAMP | May 16, 2012 - 10:17am

NEW YORK – Cheaper gas won’t be enough to get many more Americans on the road this summer.

A-list status isn’t enough to drive perfume sales

By Samantha Critchell | May 15, 2012 - 9:43am

NEW YORK – To witness the odd power of celebrities at the fragrance counter, look no further than two of today’s top women’s perfume stars: One is a teenage boy.

Stand firm: Kid’s clothing should reflect values

By TRACY ORMSBEE | May 14, 2012 - 10:00am

The warm weather is here. Let the battles over the short-shorts and tanks begin!

Time cover shows mom breastfeeding 3-year-old

By Beth J. Harpaz | May 11, 2012 - 11:35am

NEW YORK – Shocking or no big deal?

Only in France: Supermodel moves out of presidential home, new leader’s girlfriend moves in

By Elaine Ganley | May 10, 2012 - 8:49am

PARIS – Only in France. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the superstar model-turned-songstress with a freewheeling lifestyle, now hands the job of first lady to a twice-divorced journalist who’s the first presidential partner to enter the Elysee Palace without a ring on her finger.

Stars dress for Wintour-hosted, Prada-themed gala

By Samantha Critchell | May 8, 2012 - 10:05am

NEW YORK – It’s known as one of the most glamorous red carpets of the year, with movie stars, models and even a few star quarterbacks putting on their most fashion-forward outfits for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala.

Kentucky Derby party starts early on infield

By BRETT BARROUQUERE and BRUCE SCHREINER | May 7, 2012 - 9:47am

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The party started early at Churchill Downs for Joe Ochsner, who was sipping a morning beer on the sweaty track infield and picking his horses for the Kentucky Derby.

Vogue bans too-skinny models from its pages

By Samantha Critchell | May 4, 2012 - 11:08am

NEW YORK – Vogue magazine, perhaps the world’s top arbiter of style, is making a statement about its own models: Too young and too thin is no longer in.

Fresh twists on popular cocktail

By Laressa Watlington and Kristen Browning-Blas | May 3, 2012 - 9:38am

DENVER – What makes a good margarita? That’s easy: high-quality tequila, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur.

New amenities take the rough out of roughing it

By Diana Marszalek | May 2, 2012 - 12:31pm

Those of you who wiggle out of family camping trips by claiming you’re just not into roughing it will have to find another excuse.

Keep your student on track in last lap

By JENNIFER GISH | April 30, 2012 - 10:53am

Those last months of school – and warmer spring weather – tend to make even the most driven student look toward summer and away from the books.

Fifty shades of Grey:newest must-read book

By Leanne Italie | April 26, 2012 - 9:49am

NEW YORK– They’re young and old, doctors and churchgoers, gay and straight – and those are just the MEN who have devoured oh-so-naughty “Fifty Shades of Grey,” an erotic trilogy that has earned millions of women fans in a matter of weeks.

Lawsuit claims ‘Bachelor’ show discriminates

By Sheila Burke | April 23, 2012 - 9:09am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Two black men are taking “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” to court with a lawsuit that claims the reality shows are blocking contestants of color from starring roles.

Pinning down Madeleine Albright

By Suzanne S. Brown | April 19, 2012 - 9:58am

 Sometimes, jewelry is more than a personal expression. In Madeleine Albright’s case, it packs a political punch.

Gray hair’s in fashion, but what about at work?

By Leanne Italie | April 17, 2012 - 3:10pm

NEW YORK (AP) – Jeanne Thompson began going gray at 23.

Charm: We like BOLD/DANGLING EARRINGS

April 12, 2012 - 9:12am

  They’re bold. They’re daring. They’re colorful. They’re long and prone to swinging.

Charm: Coming home

By Spaine Stephens | April 9, 2012 - 11:20am

  Coco Rouzier has entertained thousands of people around the world with her gift of song.

Charm: Band of Sisters - Women Givers give back

By Spaine Stephens | April 9, 2012 - 11:00am

Meredith Holland knows firsthand what a group of women with a community’s well-being at heart can do.

Charm: For spring, update your wardrobe with color

By Jenny White | April 9, 2012 - 10:59am

  This spring, look for bold prints, coral hues and pleats.

Charm: Spring finger paint - Color for your nails

April 9, 2012 - 9:52am

Add some pretty hues to your spring looks with new nail polish. Trendy colors range from silvery gray to bright fuschia to the palest pinks.

Build a safe haven for butterflies

By Kathy Huber | March 30, 2012 - 10:00am

HOUSTON – Last summer, Eric Huelskamp was searching for heat- and drought-tolerant plants for his family’s sunny back garden.

Animated show tells kids be healthy, don’t worry

By Lynn Elber | March 27, 2012 - 11:10am

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Many TV shows have dispassionate origins, recycling a well-worn format or piggybacking on a trend.

‘Hunger Games’ breaks box office records

By Brooks Barnes | March 26, 2012 - 12:09pm

The N.Y. Times News ServiceLOS ANGELES – “The Hunger Games” hit the box-office bull’s-eye over the weekend, taking in a record $155 million in North America and setting up what promises to be one of the biggest film franchises of this decade.