Table of contents for October/November 2025 in Woman's Day

Beware of “danger hour” Experts refer to the hour between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Halloween as “danger hour.” It’s considered the riskiest time, particularly for pedestrian injuries, because of sunset, rush hour traffic, and peak trick-or-treating volume. Stay safe: Trick-or-treating with your kids? Let them cross only at intersections. Rather than darting back and forth across the street, instruct them to walk up the sidewalk on one side, then cross at the end of the street to go back and cover the other side. Watch for cars backing out of driveways and parking spots, not just those on the street. If you’re not accompanying your kids trick-or-treating: Before they leave review the route they’ll take and instruct them not to dart repeatedly across the same street. Have them…

Bree McKeen grew up two miles down a dirt road, born to handy parents—her dad built the home she was raised in. She studied medical anthropology and earned her M.B.A. at Stanford, then found herself working in finance in Silicon Valley. But it wasn’t until she struggled with daily pain from conventional bras that she discovered her true mission: creating better options for women. Bree founded Evelyn & Bobbie, a brand whose bras redefine comfort and confidence, in 2015—and she has been lifting women up ever since. Family business “My husband’s and daughters’ birthdays are within a few days of mine. It feels like such a special time that we share, and I love that.” Horsin’ around My “horse medicine” is a powerful way to refocus on joy. There’s nothing…

Maine is a place where coastal charm meets rugged beauty—think lobster rolls by the sea, pine-scented trails, and postcard-perfect lighthouses. From the magic of Acadia to the quaint shops of Kennebunkport, Maine will slow you down in all the best ways. When you go, you’ll find it easy to see why so many return year after year. HOW TO GET AROUND Need a car on your trip? Turo makes it easy to rent directly from local car owners—often with more fexibility, personality, and options than traditional rental companies offer. Whether you want a rugged SUV for a weekend in the mountains or a cute convertible for a beachtown spin, you can browse the site and filter by location, vehicle type, and price point. Go to turo.com. WHERE TO STAY Sandy…

spooky string Wrap toilet paper rolls in tissue paper (about 6" long and 7" wide) and attach on top with craft glue. Once dry, cut fringe pieces that extend beyond the bottom of each roll. Draw faces and attach to string through holes poked on sides. linked up Cut 1" by 10" strips from four colors of craft paper. Staple ends of one strip together to make a loop. Slide another strip through the loop and staple its ends together. Keep adding loops until you are happy with the length. flickery felines Trace about 20 cat-face shapes on colored paper. Use a hole puncher to make holes for eyes. Slide string lights into eye holes, then plug in and enjoy! boo chain Accordion-fold paper into 3" sections. Trace a ghost…

recipes begin on page 75 Brezeln Pretzels “It took me years to figure out the perfect Brezel recipe, and this is it,” says Sophie Sadler, author of German Home Kitchen. “I cried happy tears when I took my first bite, because they taste just like home—they’re an instant hug from Germany!” In fact, Sophie even founded German Pretzel School, where she teaches pretzel enthusiasts how to master authentic German Brezeln. This recipe uses lye, which makes all the difference and is nothing to be afraid of, assures Sophie. To save time, especially if you’re making a large batch, she says you can make these in advance, stopping before baking. Enjoy them with butter, cream cheese, or Obatzda. They are also amazing dipped in Käsefondue—but don’t put mustard on them (Germans…

SWEAT SMARTER Do 30 minutes of cardio—walk or jog, hop onto an elliptical trainer, ride a bike, or have a dance party. Then do 10 to 15 squats and bird dogs—these exercises improve balance by strengthening stabilizing muscles. Keep up this routine to stay steady and fall-free while performing daily activities like climbing stairs. GET A MASSAGE Treat yourself to a self-care day, or swap massages with your spouse, partner, kid, or best friend. A nice rubdown is beneficial for maintaining and improving flexibility and motion, which in turn supports good balance—it helps stimulate blood flow and improve tissue elasticity, allowing your body to stay loose. LIMBER UP Stretching feels great and is essential to being flexible and steady, as it increases blood flow to joints and muscles. These stretches…

Every Monday is a mulligan. That’s what my former boss Lucy Danziger used to say when I worked at Self magazine—and it stuck with me. A mulligan, if you’re like me and you don’t golf, is basically a do-over, a fresh start, a chance to try again without beating yourself up over the last shot. I’ve come to love Mondays for that very reason. Each one is a reset button, a moment to say, OK, let’s go again, but this time with more energy, more intention, more yay! That’s the spirit behind “The Fully Charged Minute,” my new Substack newsletter. Every Monday at 8:37 a.m., I send out a short, honest note designed to help you start the week feeling grounded and good. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s one…

BISCUIT BLISS Effie MacLellan’s oatcake recipe was too good to keep in the family—so her daughter Joan MacIsaac (far left) and friend Irene Costello (near left) turned it into a business. Inspired by Effie’s Nova Scotian roots, Effie’s Homemade celebrates simple ingredients and real connections. The line of biscuit-y treats—including classic Oatcakes and flavors like Cocoa and Corn—gives a nod to tradition with a modern twist. Paired with cheese or savored solo, each is a sweet reminder that the best stories (and snacks!) are meant to be shared. Cheer them on! @effeshomemade effieshomemade.com pretty handsewn pouches Cataleya Zapata launched Happy Stitches when she was just 9 with one goal: to earn enough money to buy an Apple Watch. In the process, the now 10-year-old discovered a love for sewing, storytelling and building…

Thanksgiving is a holiday built around gratitude—or at least that’s the hope. But let’s be honest: Between the grocery runs, the timelines, the kitchen chaos, and the emotional minefields created by family dynamics, feeling deeply thankful in the moment isn’t always a given. That’s why before the tension bubbles up, our resident meditation teacher, Lindsey Benoit O’Connell (founder of The LAB Wellness) wants to offer you something simple and powerful: a short meditation to bring you back to yourself. This meditation doesn’t require a yoga mat or a tranquil space; it’s designed for real life. You can do it first thing in the morning, on a quick walk, or even when you’re in the bathroom between courses (let’s face it, that’s sometimes the only place you can find a private…

It takes courage to change. Do you enjoy seeing the autumn leaves changing as much as I do? If I’m traveling in the Northeast in the fall, I love seeing what amounts to God’s own daytime fireworks as the green leaves of summer explode into fiery golds, oranges, and reds. While it’s glorious to watch leaves changing, a lot of us aren’t quite as eager to embrace change in our own lives, especially when it comes to places where we’re broken. In fact, I wonder if we sometimes get a little too comfortable with our brokenness, maybe just a little too complacent about our failures and mistakes. I think sometimes it feels easier just to stay in that place. It feels safer not to risk anything more. Safer not to…

EASY IDEAS TO CELEBRATE YOUR SPACE color theory Let the hues of a cherished item such as a piece of art or a patterned rug inspire your paint picks. COLOR? COLOR! COLOR. Choose shades you can love for years. Too often people make design decisions based on what is on trend, a bargain, or something they’ve spotted in a celebrity home on social media. Wait for a color that truly resonates with you and your loved ones. The saturated jewel tone on the kitchen cabinets above has an important backstory. “The bright blue-green teal was the main color in a painting my older sister gave me during our childhood in Hawaii. This paint captures the lush, luxuriant appeal of Maui’s cow-dotted fields and breathtaking skies and gets me in the…

party trick! Use felt and foam cord to accessorize a pink flamingo lawn ornament. ROYAL TREATMENT A saturated palette of navy and gold adds instant drama, and a boldly patterned napkin brings global energy to the table—a reminder that Turkey Day doesn’t have to be beige to be bountiful. PLUM PERFECT Velvety purples, moody florals, and glints of gold give this table a luxe, modern edge that still feels deeply warm and inviting. It’s Thanksgiving with a twist—dramatic, dazzling, and unique. vibrant tablescape Rainbow taper candles light the way. Combine them with vivid florals, eclectic plates, and playful details. blue plate special Pair vintage plates with everyday finds, layer bold colors with heirloom pieces, and don’t be afraid to break the rules. A mixand-match setting lets you tell your…

recipe, page 81 Technically, November is Sweet Potato Awareness Month—these delicious root veggies deserve a little extra love and attention at this time of year! recipe, page 81 MULTICOOKER MAGIC Get the rich, creamy texture of traditional risotto without the constant stirring. Didja know… Sweet potato plants once hitched a ride to space, and their roots grew faster than it happens on Earth!…

1 Have a cup of coffee. If you’re a regular morning java drinker, you may notice that after you down your latte, you need to hit the bathroom. That’s because caffeine increases motility in the gut, says Neeha Mathur, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist. If you can’t tolerate coffee or just don’t like its taste, try caffeinated tea. 2 EAT A HIGH-FIBER DIET. Though kiwis are a superfood when it comes to fiber, most fruits and veggies will provide plenty of it to keep your pipes from getting clogged. “In addition to eating more greens and other vegetables, you can add bran, nuts, and cereal and breads high in fiber,” says Dr. Mathur, who recommends consuming 25 g to 30 g of fiber a day. Fiber makes stool bigger and softer,…

I make my bed every morning without fail, whether I’m running late for work or I have a rare day off. Smoothing the covers, arranging the pillows—these are small actions that would be easy to let slide, but I never do. Apparently, neither do lots of other happy, energized, successful, and well rested people. Retired Admiral William H. McRaven, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, literally wrote the book on the power of this simple chore, called Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World. Part of his reasoning is that the task gives you a sense of control and achievement and has a domino effect as far as motivation. The satisfaction and accomplishment it gives you act like a shot of energy, prompting you to…

boo it yourself! You can also use orange buttercream and a swirl of green to make tiny pumpkin patches instead of ghosts. Halloween Cake with Ghost Smears ACTIVE 50 MIN. TOTAL 1 HR. 15 MIN. PLUS COOLING AND CHILLING SERVES 12 TO 16 FOR CAKE Unsalted butter, for greasing3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting1 tsp baking powder1 tsp baking soda½ tsp kosher salt2 cups granulated sugar¾ cup canola oil4 large eggs1 tsp pure vanilla extract1½ cups buttermilk FOR CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder½ cup dark chocolate chips, melted and cooled1 tsp pure vanilla extract¼ cup heavy cream4 cups confectioners’ sugar Pinch of kosher salt FOR VANILLA BUTTERCREAM ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp1 tsp pure…

Ashley Toth craft stylist A New York City–based craft stylist and mixed-media artist who brings bold color, clever concepts, and a wink of whimsy to everything she creates, Ashley is the mind behind the dazzling disco-inspired pumpkin on this issue’s cover. On Instagram, she shares her signature Washli collages (made from washi tape) along with a steady stream of vibrant DIY’s, visual puns, and playful experiments that turn everyday materials into pure joy. Her work is equal parts eye candy and mood booster. Ashley believes crafts should make you feel something—ideally, delighted! Check her out! @helloashleytoth Mike Garten photographer With 19 years of publishing experience, photographer Mike Garten helps bring Woman’s Day cover stories to life through captivating images. Whether he’s fussing over frosting on a holiday cake or capturing…

BOOST YOUR COLOR. Ask your colorist to add subtle streaks of highlights just around your face or lowlights throughout for depth. Or try an at-home color-depositing hair mask (such as Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask, $30, moroccanoil.com) to enhance your shade’s shine and richness. ACCESSORIZE! Add fair to a basic ponytail or updo in seconds by slipping on an inexpensive but chic metallic hair accessory such as The Hair Edit French Twist Clip in gold ($14, ulta.com) or the Kitsch Gold Metal Cloud Cuff ($8, mykitsch.com). ROCK YOUR TEXTURE. After air-drying hair, spritz a dry texturizing spray (for straight or wavy hair) or a curl-refreshing mist (for curly hair) all over strands, then scrunch to bring out the hair’s natural shape. (Try Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Finish Spray,…

The Hebrew word for “Jew,” Yehudi, comes from the word for “thanks.” At its core, to be Jewish is to live a life of gratitude. If you want to fully grasp the power of giving thanks, try an experiment recommended by psychologist Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the science of happiness: He calls it a Gratitude Visit. Close your eyes and think of a still-living person who changed your life for the better but whom you have never properly thanked. Write a 300-word letter of heartfelt appreciation to that person, being concrete and specific about what they did and how it affected your life. Then call them and ask if you can visit, but don’t say why. When you arrive, read the letter out loud. Everyone cries when this happens.…

BOOGIE BABE Hot-glue disco balls to a pumpkin (a few metal skewers will help with hold). For the face, arrange mirror tiles faceup on a flat surface, then stick overlapping strips of clear tape across the front. Flip the taped design, then peel off the backing paper and press it onto the pumpkin. Smooth it down and gently peel off tape once tiles are secure. BOOGIE BUGS Perfect as party decor or funky centerpieces or to give a groovy twist to your haunted house. Use hot glue to attach two disco balls to each other, then add pipe cleaner legs. GOURD GLITTERATI Brush craft glue onto the stems of painted pumpkins, dip the stems in glitter, and boom—your pumpkins will be red carpet–ready. splatter patch Mix water with acrylic paint…

Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde ACTIVE 15 MIN. ◆ TOTAL 4 HR. 15 MIN. ON HIGH OR 6 HR. 15 MIN. ON LOW ◆ SERVES 4 TO 6 12 oz beer1 Tbsp low-sodium chicken bouillon base (we used Better Than Bouillon)2 tsp ground cumin1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed12 oz tomatillos, husked and quartered4 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 onion, finely chopped1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped½ small bunch cilantro, stemmed Kosher salt and pepper28 oz can hominy, drained and rinsed¼ cup fresh lime juice Cilantro leaves, diced avocado, and sliced radishes, for serving 1 In 5-to 6-qt slow cooker, combine beer, bouillon base, cumin, chicken, tomatillos, garlic, onion, poblano, cilantro, 2 cups water, and ½ tsp each salt and pepper. 2 Cover and cook until chicken is easily pulled…

THEY SAY: Doing monthly self breast checks is nonnegotiable. NAH Being familiar with your breasts is important, but self breast exams are no longer a rigid recommendation—lots of research revealed that they didn’t end up reducing breast cancer mortality. Women more often discover breast changes as they go about their daily lives (say, while showering or when a partner notices). THEY SAY: If you have dense breasts, you should get additional testing. TRUE Yep, but you’re far from alone: Nearly half of women over age 40 have dense breast tissue, which not only raises the risk for breast cancer but also makes it harder to see cancer on mammograms. The only way to know if you have dense breasts is to get a mammogram—then, if imaging shows a lot of dense…

in this issue The October 2002 issue of WD was packed with cozy fall recipes, Halloween crafts, and fashion tips for every body. It covered serious topics too, like mammograms, social anxiety, and staying safe at home. The joys of knitting got a spotlight, with easy patterns and a national “Knit-Outs” campaign. Plus, readers scored two months of dinner menus, smart couponing tips, and snack ideas with less than 100 calories. LIFE in 2002 JANUARY The euro officially became the physical currency in 12 European countries, replacing their national notes and coins. FEBRUARY The world cheered as Sarah Hughes delivered a surprise gold-medal performance in figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. MAY Spider-Man, starring Tobey Maguire, swung into theaters, breaking records and cementing the super-hero-movie era.…