If you put a raisin in a glass of champagne, it’ll keep floating to the top and sinking to the bottom. Now that’s entertainment!

Adding one to your glass also helps restore carbonation if your drink has gone flat. Cheers, friends! And please drink responsibly.

It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until the tree is lit. If you still haven’t gotten around to spicing up your spruce, check out these tree-decorating basics:

• We think the wall trees above are super chic, but if you have a real tree, keep it green by freshening the water daily.
• Lights on first, followed by garland and then ornaments. It’s best to work your way from the inside of the branch outward.
• Placement of the ornaments will add depth. Purchase some filler ornaments to put on the inside of the tree and keep the special ornaments visible.
• Finish it off with your favorite tree topper.

Nothing is worse than purchasing an adorable new pair of shoes you can’t break in. Our friends at Rue La La discovered the easiest way to stretch them out without causing painful blisters.

1. Put on a thick pair of socks (the bigger, the better) followed by your problematic shoes (works for heels, too!).
2. Blow the hairdryer on the parts that are too tight for about 1–2 minutes, or until fabric is warmed. The warmer the fabric, the more flexible it becomes.
3. While still warm, flex your feet and walk around until it cools. Make sure you really walk it out (you know what we’re talking about) so the shoe forms to your foot.
4. Repeat until the flats are comfortable without the socks. This method also works on the backs if they dig into your heels.

Headed somewhere for Labor Day weekend? We’re jealous.

Read up on the road trip tips from our August issue to ensure smooth, safe travels.

We all have general aches and pains, but we don’t all have a massage therapist on call. Now you can do it at home with these DIY massage tips from expert Michele Maruniak, who suggests using household items—like a tennis ball—to work out your pain.

• Baby got back-ache? Lean against a door frame with a tennis ball behind your back. As you move around, the knots will work themselves out. The size of a tennis ball gives you the least pressure, and decreasing the size, such as a racquetball or golf ball, will increase the pressure. 
• On your feet too much? Put the tennis ball under your foot on the floor. Roll your foot around from your toes to heels to loosen the plantar fascia, the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.

Find more DIY massage techniques in our latest issue.

Does stress have you pulling out your hair? Stay calm and relax, we’ve found 11 great ways to help you cope.

Taking a dip in the pool this afternoon to cool off from the summer heat? Kill two birds with one stone and get your workout in, too. Here are a few reasons to take a swim today:

1. The ability to do more with less - When submerged in the pool, up to 90 percent of our body weight is supported by the water.
2. Increased muscle tone and strength - With each kick and stroke, you’re essentially doing resistance training for every muscle group
3. Improved flexibility - It’s easy on the joints and helps stretch out all your muscles and even your spine.
4. A healthier heart - Swimmingstrengthens the heart and helps it pump blood more efficiently.
5. Weight control - You can burn up to 100 calories in 10 minutes.

Find more ways swimming makes you healthier here.

Say hello to H2O! Not only does water keep you refreshed and hydrated after outdoor activities in the summer, it also offers other great health benefits.

1. Lose weight - Water helps flush out fat and keeps your metabolism working.
2. Younger looking skin - It also helps prevent wrinkles.
3. Mental energy - Because our bodies are made up of 80 percent water, staying hydrated prevents headaches.
4. Physical energy - Water helps with the removal of toxins to help the regulation of your organs.
5. Prevent illness - Water helps ward off sickness, like the flu.