Vibrant Nation» live it! lists

3 keys to managing diabetes (what worked for my husband)

"Diabetes is manageable. But you have to understand that it is a disease which requires adjustments to your lifestyle." ~ grannyinlongjohns

Pushing My Buttons

There are a few people in my life who seem to have an uncanny ability to set me off. These folks include my Mom, my sister, a select few former coworkers from a bad job situation of several years ago (and who I still must deal with on occasion).

Clothes after 50: 6 shopping tips

"I have found if I opt for quality instead of quantity, I get a better fit, which in turn is more comfortable." ~ Vicky1956

How I trend-proofed my style: 5 tips

For many of us who have changed jobs, retired, or simply switched our lifestyle recently, runway trends just don't seem relevant. The down economy plays a big part in our style decisions, too. Here's my "reality take" on fashion now.

10 ways to SHED the clutter in your life

Ask yourself, "If all this were gone, what would I miss?" Instantly you will recognize the treasures. And there are answers in your stuff.

Traveling with adult children: 6 tips for an unforgettable, stress-free trip

With our families often scattered across the country – and the world – these days, the idea of bringing adult children together for a family vacation is more appealing than ever.

Though we all dream of a perfect trip with precious time devoted to fun and just being together, it can be tricky business dealing with different ages, interests, and levels of income among our children. I talked with friends about this before we took our own family on a trip to the Southwest last summer and found there are many different ways to organize a trip like this, from parents hosting the entire vacation to presenting a plan and inviting adult children to join in and pay their own way. There is also the mixed approach: parents provide housing and maybe breakfast and adult children cover transportation, activities, and other meals. You may cover expenses for your college age kids, while your employed twentysomethings cover their own.

Whichever way you go, the logistics required put it all together are, at least to me, not the biggest challenge. That lies in navigating the plan through the family with as few misunderstandings and as much anticipation as possible. It’s a lot…

5 myths about self-employment

Don't let negative assumptions about self-employment keep you from pursuing a career path that may be right for you. The truth is, much of the conventional wisdom about self-employment actually qualifies as urban myths.

Do talk to strangers: 4 tips

A "Do Talk To Strangers" policy can be a very rewarding component of traveling — and of being entrepreneurial. Doing this effectively is partly intuitive, but with practice, you can get better.

How to stay positive when things turn negative: 6 tips

None of us is immune to life’s negative events, but it’s possible to minimize their impact. In the end, it’s really a matter of learning to starve our upsets and feed our opportunities. Try these six tips from the author of Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love.

5 makeup alternatives to cosmetic surgery and dermatological procedures

Lois Joy Johnson has been a fashion & beauty editor for over 25 years (she was the Beauty & Fashion Director of More magazine for 10 years and the Beauty and Fashion Director of Ladies' Home Journal for 14 years). Lois is the author of two Vibrant Nation beauty guides: Great Hair After 50 and 2011 Skin Care and Cosmetic Product Guide For Women Over 50: 150 Anti-aging Cosmetics and Beauty Products that Work. Here latest book is entitled The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age.