My dreams could only be achieved if I was the perfect size, I believed, in high school. I was a card-carrying proud member of the perfectionist club. I convinced myself that if I could control my weight [that] I could … Continue reading →

Pantene-perfect hair. Impossibly fit bodies. Poise and confidence that lead to Oscar-winning performances and successful talk shows. Do celebrities just naturally have it

What comes to mind when you hear the words “Self Care?” Do you think of exercise? Eating healthy? Taking the time to hang out with friends? Getting a good night’s sleep? Petting your dog? Well, “self-care” encompasses

The holidays are over—and even though it’s back to school, it doesn’t have to be back to stress! Start the new year off on the right now with these tips from HOG guest blogger Elle Wells on ways to manage … Continue reading →

We’ve all got them. Fears and insecurities, while unpleasant, are just a part of life. Sometimes the thoughts are fleeting, but sometimes they nag at you, ruining your day and causing you to feel down. Negative thinking can

If you do a web search for “college admissions tips,” get prepared to be overwhelmed. There are a lot of people out there who have a lot to say about the college admissions process. And no, you probably won’t be … Continue reading →

First impressions are important. And how you put yourself together does matter. Now, does that mean you can only succeed if you’re wearing the trendiest or most expensive clothes? Absolutely not! Dressing for success is about looking confident, professional, and … Continue reading →

Following fashion trends can be fun, but sometimes styles get hot that don’t feel like a fit for who you are. That’s okay though, because just because something’s in fashion doesn’t mean you have to adopt the look for yourself. The … Continue reading →

The new school year is here! We’re sure there are plenty of things you’re looking forward to at school, but others? Not so much. Yes, we’re talking tests. But test-taking doesn’t have to be uber-stressful…as long as you have a

The first day of school is often filled with back-to-school jitters. Different classes, new friends, old flames, first impressions… it’s enough to keep a girl up at night with a blend of excitement and stress. But to have your best … Continue reading →

OK, OK, you’ve likely seen the Internet meme featuring  Fierce Five gymnast McKayla Maroney scowling after being cut-and-pasted to look like the observer of  a skateboarding dog, a unicorn prancing near a rainbow and other fantastic feats. McKayla is Not … Continue reading →

What comes to mind when you hear the word “optimist?” Do you think of that proverbial glass half full? Or someone who makes lemons out of lemonade? Then you’re on the right track. Generally speaking, optimists expect the best outcome

Since this month we’re all about going global, our lifestyle tip is about how to travel the globe in style. One of the best ways to do this? Travel light. As in, leave what you don’t need behind and be … Continue reading →

According to the famous saying, “laughter is the best medicine.” But is it true? Actually, yes. Laughing has tremendous benefits for you, mind, body, and soul. Among the different benefits of regular laughter are: lowered blood pressure, lowered stress levels, … Continue reading →

I wish I could say it was as easy as taking one of those career tests. Or as simple as declaring a major when you get to college. While those activities are certainly helpful, finding your passion is more complicated.

If you scan the biographies of some of the world’s most successful individuals, failure is a common theme. Oprah Winfrey was fired from one of her early jobs in journalism before she moved into the world of daytime talk shows.

Did you know you can positively impact the environment by making conscious choices about your beauty products? It’s true – you can go green with everything from your moisturizer to your lip gloss by sticking with brands who are committed … Continue reading →

Water is the single most important element in sustaining life on planet Earth. No wonder it’s the thing our bodies need more than anything else. Drinking 8 glasses of water each day helps keep your skin clear, supports good metabolism, … Continue reading →

We live in a go, go, go society. As in, there’s this whole idea that we have to go, go, go all the time because if you stop to even take a breath you might fall behind on school

Elin Stebbins Waldal is a survivor of teen dating abuse and the author of the powerful memoir about her experience, Tornado Warning, which is this month’s featured book review. She is also Founder/Executive Director of, Girls kNOw More, an organization dedicated to inspiring … Continue reading →

Read just about any interview with a successful person and chances are one of the questions they’ve been asked is about their motivation. As in, what motivates you to do what you do? How do you stay motivated even when

By now you know what we’re all about at Heart of Gold – empowering teen girls like you to have the confidence, the know how, and the inspiration to put your big dreams into action. We go by the name … Continue reading →

Practicing deep breathing for even five minutes a day will: reduce your stress levels, relax your muscles, release toxins from your body, relieve emotional problems, boost your immune system, support your organs, strengthen the heart, aid in digestion, and elevate … Continue reading →

The holidays are over, the weather’s cold (at least for much of the country), sunlight hours are few and far between, and spring break seems like a LONG way away.

What’s the difference between someone who has big dreams they never realize and someone with a big dream they actually make happen? Four simple words: They did the work. Reaching any goal – tiny or mammoth – happens when you … Continue reading →