Woman's World

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 NATIONAL BANANA DAY Layers of flavor! Indulge in banana bliss today with parfaits featuring instant pudding—so easy! To make Banana Parfaits: Prepare 1 (3.4 oz.) package of instant banana pudding mix according to directions; cover. Chill 15 to 20 min. Next, place 12 shortbread cookies in a large sealable plastic food storage bag; crush with rolling pin. Place 1 Tbs. crushed cookies in bottom of each of 6 glasses. Layer each with 3 to 4 Tbs. pudding. Repeat with more cookies and pudding. Garnish each with banana slices and more cookie crumbles. Serves 6. JOKE OF THE WEEK Identity crisis A famous actor went to a nursing home to visit some residents. When he arrived, the group greeted him cheerfully and they all chatted for a while. When he noticed that one resident…

NETFLIX Find romance with Ransom Canyon Get ready for a thrilling mix of love, drama and family secrets in this brand-new series, inspired by the bestselling books of Jodi Thomas. Set against the sweeping backdrop of West Texas, the show dives into the lives of three powerful ranching families and the cowboys at their helm—played by Josh Duhamel, James Brolin and Eoin Macken. Each man is dealing with his own set of challenges, both on the ranch and in his personal life. Enter Quinn, played by Minka Kelly, a woman returning to Ransom Canyon hoping for a fresh start. Will she find peace, or will the past pull her back in? Find out on April 17. PODCAST Find joy with WOAH That’s Good Sadie Robertson Huff, who first captured hearts on the hit reality show…

Fiction COZY MYSTERY Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto This charming whodunit is the second installment in Jesse Q. Sutanto’s beloved Vera Wong series. Life has been sweet yet uneventful for Vera—until a new mystery arises. When a missing social media influencer is found dead, Vera’s curiosity leads her to uncover secrets that could shake up her quiet life. With her son’s girlfriend, Officer Selena Gray, by her side, Vera vows to crack the case. ROMANCE Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez Filled with funny banter and deeply emotional moments, Abby Jimenez’s latest love story sparkles. Samantha doesn’t believe in “perfect” men… until she meets Xavier Rush, a gorgeous veterinarian. But that possibility is ruined when he says the wrong thing to her. Despite a rocky start, they…

We have to make this the most magical experience, Lacey Wicksall thought as she talked on the phone with Karen Mastropietro, who had stage 4 ovarian cancer. It was Lacey Wicksall’s first day working as executive director for Wish Upon a Wedding (WishUponAWedding.org), a nonprofit that alleviates the financial burden of weddings and vow renewal ceremonies for couples facing terminal illness or life-altering health circumstances. “We want to stand up in front of our daughters and our family and friends and show everyone that we’re still madly in love,” Karen and her husband, Rich, told Lacey. Lacey’s heart swelled as she witnessed the power of their devotion. I can’t wait to give them this gift, she thought. A spark of hope A few months later, Lacey learned that her own father had leukemia. Not long…

1 Donate your dress Consider giving your dress to a bride in need. Simply visit BridesForACause.com and click “Donate,” then “Individual Donations” to pack up and mail out your dress and any accessories to support women-focused charities across the U.S. 2 Volunteer Offer your services to Wish Upon A Wedding as a photographer, stylist or baker. Head to their site, click “Grant a Wish,” then “Become a wish granter.” Fill out the form, and you’ll be contacted when there’s a local wedding in need of your skills. 3 Host a fundraiser Can’t volunteer? Go to the Wish Upon a Wedding site and click “Grant a Wish,” then “I want to host a fundraiser.” Read over the guidelines and plan a fundraiser for a fun way to help even more dreams come true!…

Hair strengthener: Jasmine If your hair needs TLC, look to jasmine essential oil. Its fatty acids repair damage and strengthen strands at the root to keep breakage at bay. TRY IT! Combine 2 Tbs. of coconut oil and 4 drops of jasmine essential oil. Apply to damp or dry hair from roots to ends. Cover with a shower cap and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with shampoo. Redness reducer: Chamomile Whether it’s rosacea or a rash, chamomile can help. Anti-inflammatory properties in the flower extract calm irritation and restore balance to the skin. TRY IT! Steep 2 chamomile tea bags in a bowl with hot water. Once cool, soak a washcloth in the tea and place on the face for 5 minutes; remove and rinse skin. Hydration superstar: Peony For a complexion that…