Wednesday, December 24, 2008

10 Signs You Should Dump Him by New Year’s


Having doubts about your dude?

Read on to find out if you should give him the boot before New Year's.


1. When you ask to speak to him about moving in, he schedules the talk for June.


2. Each time after sex, he grabs a private notebook from his bag and scribbles something in it, giggling.


3. His friends call him by the nickname of Cheaty McGee.


4. He loves to touch you and kiss you and will do so just as soon as he powers up and finishes killing these level-four zombies. Die, video zombies, die!


5. His ring tone is "Baby Got Back."


6. The guy's elaborate excuse for not spending the holidays together includes training for an Ironman competition.


7. Mr. Reality still entertains the idea that he could be a "stripper choreographer."


8. He’s already written a scathing tell-all memoir of your relationship — and you’ve only been dating for two months.


9. He calls your mom "Mrs. Robinson" and stares at her way too intensely.


10. The big spender usually splurges and buys you awesome gifts, so it’d be a real shame to dump him before Christmas.


Friday, December 19, 2008

5 Times You Shouldn't Text Him


Firing off too many messages can kill a budding relationship

We tell you when to step away from the cell.


Casual electronic notes have become a huge part of dating, and experts speculate that texts have surpassed actual phone calls between many couples. So it's no wonder why you can find yourself with an itchy text-messaging trigger finger (or thumbs, rather) when in the throes of new love. But beware: There's such a thing as too much texting (what you might call TMT).


"Overdoing it can freak guys out," says relationship expert Arlene Krieger, PhD. "They feel pressured into sending an instantaneous response.

"There are several instances where texting can torpedo a relationship before it's barely gotten off the ground: After your first few dates.

It may be tempting to contact a guy after an amazing date, but resist the urge.

"Reaching out lessens the thrill of the chase for him," says psychologist Diana Kirschner, PhD, author of the upcoming book Love in 90 Days.

When you're drunk. Since phones don't come with Breathalyzers, it's up to you to stop yourself from sending a tipsy message — especially one that suggests you two meet up ASAP. "Being too available lets a guy know he has all the leverage," Krieger says.


When you're angry.

It's annoying when a guy flakes, but sending a "Why haven't you called me?!" inquiry makes you look massively insecure. Avoid angry texts once you're in a relationship too. "When it's in writing, you can't easily take it back," Kirschner says. It's even smart to ban bitchy humor, which can sound meaner than it is.When you're trying to be funny.

"When relayed nonverbally, sarcasm and joking can come off as aggressive," according to Kirschner. A dude could read a message like "OMG, you were out of control last night" literally, which makes you sound pissed when you were actually just fondly remembering his funny behavior.When you've already texted him that day.


Once you're in an ongoing relationship, you may be tempted to rely on texting as a regular form of communication, and there's nothing wrong with staying in touch that way sometimes. But electronic communication discourages phone conversations and one-on-one time. Also, guys like brief updates, not a blow-by-blow of your life.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

What if His Parents Don't Like You?


What if His Parents Don't Like You?
Love the guy, but his mom and dad are pretty much evil incarnate. Here are four easy steps for how to handle his frosty folks. Buzz up!
By Julie Suratt

So you’ve met Mr. Right, and everything is damn near perfect.

There’s just one problem: Mama and Papa Right. Put simply, they don’t like you — and they’re not exactly shy about it. “Not only is it unpleasant for you to have to spend time with these people, but you also may worry that their disapproval could influence your guy’s feelings for you,” says therapist Lee Schnebly, author of Being Happy Being Married. So how do you get along so it’s not so freakin’ awkward? We’ve come up with a plan to handle those pain-in-the...er, we mean, his parents.

Step 1: Get Where They’re Coming From
Come on, how could anyone not love you? Well, experts say the most likely explanation is fear. “There’s an innate protective instinct to shut out the ‘intruder’ who’s invading their family,” says Schnebly.

Also, jealousy could be the issue. “His mom may feel that she’s being replaced,” says Bree Allinson, PhD, author of How to Deal with Your Mother-in-Law. So reassure her that she’s still number one by asking her for advice on your guy (like how to cook his favorite meal).

Another explanation: In many cases, parents feel threatened if you come from a different background. “Your values and religion may conflict with their own,” says Allinson. “They might worry that you’ll influence their son.” Without sacrificing your beliefs, show that you’re open to learning about theirs, so it’s clear that the two can coexist.

Step 2: Don’t Try to Be Best Friends
You don’t have to be buddy-buddy with his folks; you just have to get along. In fact, if you’re too eager to please, it could come across as fake and ass-kissy. On the other hand, don’t act in awe of them. Avoid the urge to force a familial relationship; these people are still essentially strangers. “Think of them as equals, not superiors,” advises Schnebly. “You’ll feel more at ease and really be yourself.”

Step 3: Make It Clear You Care About Him
Parents’ main concern is their child’s well-being, so they need reassurance that you won’t break their poor boy’s heart. “They won’t want to connect with you if they think you’re not there to stay,” says Leonard Felder, PhD, author of Wake Up or Break Up. Some suggestions: Hold his hand, kiss his cheek, or share a story about how he made you laugh. Once they know your feelings are authentic, they’ll begin to trust you.

Step 4: Last Resort
If after all that, his parents are still being evil, stand up for yourself. “If you refuse to be pushed around, they’ll show you the respect that you deserve,” says therapist Susan Forward, PhD, author of Toxic In-Laws. The next time they’re rude, Forward suggests saying, “Look, I don’t ask that you love me, but I’d like it if we could at least be civil.” Lay down the law now, because if you decide to marry this guy, the problems are only going to escalate.

Bonus: How to Wow His 'Rents
These three phrases will help you dazzle his mom and dad...

"I've heard such great things about you!" This surefire line not only butters up his parents but makes your sweetie look good too.

"What was he like as a kid?" Get them chatting about their all-time favorite subject — their son — and they'll be too distracted to notice you nervously biting your nails.

"It was so nice of you to invite me to your home/to dinner." Saying thank you shows that you're a girl with manners and lets them know how honored you are to be included.
Please; your comment will let me know if I passing a message.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Should You Move in With Your Guy?


If you and your man are thinking of living together, read this first.

By Molly Triffin

Eyebrows raised when Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were recently spotted apartment-hunting in Manhattan. After all, shacking up is a serious—and sometimes controversial—step. “Living together can be a powerful way to strengthen and deepen your relationship,” says Marshall Miller, author of Unmarried to Each Other: The Essential Guide to Living Together as an Unmarried Couple. “But if you make that leap before you’re both ready, it can harm your bond.”

Contemplating sharing an address with your man? Take a look at the checklist below—if you agree with five or more of the following statements, call the movers.

We typically spend five or more nights together each week. The more often you hang out, the better sense you’ll have of what it will be like to share a pad. Plus, you’ll go in with realistic expectations. If you know ahead of time that he leaves his dirty clothes all over the apartment and has an aversion to emptying the dishwasher, you won’t be as up in arms about these things when you live together. Miller also suggests gaging how you feel about spending nights apart. “If you look forward to sleeping alone and having your own space, that might indicate you’re not ready to move in with him.”

We’ve been dating for a minimum of six months. We tend to put our partners on a pedestal in the beginning of a relationship and are blind to their imperfections. For that reason, it’s important to wait until that honeymoon period ends before moving in. “After six months, you know your partner well, have a clear picture of the relationship, and know what you’re getting into, warts and all,” says Miller.

We’ve gone on a week-long vacation together and had a great time. When living together, you’ll have to make tricky joint decisions, like how to divide chores and expenses. A trip tests these same skills on a smaller scale. If you can agree to pay for the plane tickets while he foots the hotel bill, chances are you’ll be able to successfully navigate larger issues. Even more important: spending 24/7 together forces you to examine how much you enjoy each other’s company.

I have a drawer of clothes at his place and toiletries in his medicine cabinet and visa versa. You’ve already begun easing into cohabitation by merging your belongings, which is a sign that you’re ready to take it a step further, according to Miller. It also shows that you’re comfortable and enthusiastic about sharing your space.

We’ve had a conversation about the future and expressed that we want to be together long-term. It’s key that you’re in sync about life plans—i.e., you both want to move to Chicago or have kids in the next five years. “And make sure you’re on the same page about why you’re moving in together,” warns Miller. If one of you sees it as a precursor to getting engaged, and the other is doing it because it’s practical, don’t bother unpacking your boxes.

When we disagree, we can work through it and reach a solution that feels fair and reasonable for both of us. Living together is all about compromise, so if you’re able to address problems and resolve them, it’s a good indicator that you’ll be able to smooth over any bumps in the road while sharing a space. We want to be with each other as much as possible. Sure, splitting the rent and utilities is helpful, but it shouldn’t be your prime motivation.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

4 Ways to Help Her Chill


When your girl is stressed, bummed out, and
generally having a crappy day, you can mellow her
mood — and win major brownie points in the
process — by cribbing these tips.

Start the WaterworksRunning your girl a soothing bath or a hot shower is not only a brilliant way to get her naked, but it also will make you look like a hero.

"When you go out of your way to create a calming space for her, it shows that you care about making her happy and helping her feel good," says stress expert Kathleen Hall, author of A Life in Balance. She suggests going the extra mile by leaving a book or magazine (Cosmo, natch) by the tub and drizzling relaxing lavender oil in the water (you can find it at most drugstores).

Pour Her Fave Libation

If you know your girl has had a rough day, meet her at the door with a frosty lemonade or chocolate milk, or crack open her favorite bottle of wine so it's ready for her as soon as she gets home. "Many people have mental associations with tastes and flavors, so when you take a sip or a bite of a particular treat, it immediately brings you back to that comforting place," explains Hall. Meaning: Your private happy-hour surprise is bound to have a soothing effect on her emotional state.

Give Her a Rubdown

There's a reason why people shell out major cash for massages: because they feel so damn good. But why should she have to pay for a pro when she has your strong hands at her disposal? "A simple back scratch or five-minute shoulder rub will release a lot of tension very quickly," says psychologist Martha Davis, PhD, of Santa Clara, California. Not a professional masseur? No problem. "To relax her instantly, ask where her stress points and knots are — whether they're in her back, her feet, or her neck — and offer to rub them out slooowly," Davis adds.

Take Her Away

It's hard for her to tune out her daily stresses when her (and your) cell is ringing like crazy and there's a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. So if you really want to help her unwind, take her out of the usual routine. "All you need to do is create a little sanctuary in the bedroom," suggests Davis. "Escaping from the grind will help her forget — at least for a little while — everything she has on her plate at the moment." Turn off both of your mobiles, light some candles, and bring her dinner in bed so it really feels like a treat. Postmeal, she'll be in prime position to engage in the ultimate stress-buster.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

THE NICEST GIFT EVER


THE NICEST GIFT EVER

The other day a friend was about to chuck out some wilted roses. We'd just been having a heart to heart about his fiancé and he'd confided in me that when she's upset or aggravated it helps to 'put her in water'. Smiling at his wit and wisdom, I grabbed the roses.

'Mmm, wait. Water isn't just good for bad moods,' I replied. 'Run her a bath with her favourite oils, and sprinkle the petals all over the water. Just because.'
He did. He even made a trail of petals leading to the bathroom. I can tell you it got them in the mood! But then again, you never can tell…

I once met a hot, Californian, lover in the sultry city of Istanbul and was surprised to find myself drowned in gifts. It was a gift enough to see his face, his arms and his smile again after five months apart. He gave me clothes, trinkets from San Francisco and even Jelly Bellies (which are hot property on the sweet tooth market, mind you. Especially on the edge of the Middle East, where oil is gold and water is diamonds!). Feeling like I'd just gotten the cream and the cat, I looked at him in wonder and wondered what next. Then he dropped the bomb. He'd had more lovers in our few months apart than I'd had in my whole life and he hadn't bothered to tell me, as we'd agreed. He'd also decided that as much as he wanted a fairytale adventure with me in the land of blue turbans and bright skies, he didn't want a relationship beyond that – even though he said he was 'deeply in love' with me.

His guilt – not his love and adoration – had prompted him to spoil me and that really spoilt it for me. But being a slow learner in the Art of Love and a bit of a sucker for the promise of love (even when it's just been broken), I gave in to the illusion. But after Turkey, and a lot of heartbreak, I gave away all his lovely little gifts. To bergies (and friends who'd warned me about him).
The lesson? The real gift is in the intention. Find out why he's doing what he's doing before you gush your 'Thank Yous'. And if you really mean it, spoil him right back with something sublime.
Please leave a comment if you enjoy this entry.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

The 13 Best Relationship Tips Ever



Beginning a relationship is generally the easy part; it's maintaining the connection that gets a little tricky. That's why a growing number of twosomes (whether or not they've tied the knot) are going into couples therapy as a preemptive strike against the tough times that will inevitably hit...and to learn how to keep the good times flowing. To give you a leg up in your love life, we asked the country's top relationship experts to share the most crucial things they've uncovered over the years — from big-picture philosophies to little gestures that go a long way. These practices will help keep your union in a happy, healthy place.

1. Act Out of Character Couples develop a particular dynamic: the way they relate to each other that repeats itself over and over. If you break that pattern and act against type — in a positive way — you inject new life into the relationship. For example, if you always get angry at your guy when he doesn't follow through on some chore, try addressing him in a nicer, more friendly tone, then thank him when he does a good job. It works every time.—Toni Coleman, psychotherapist and relationship coach in McLean, Virginia.
2. Get in Touch a Lot No doubt you hug and kiss each other hello and maybe snuggle a little after having sex. But simple acts like stroking his arm while you're watching TV, taking his hand when you're walking down the street, or fondling his thigh during dinner are also ways to bond. Touching your partner throughout the day triggers your feel-good hormones, which reinforces your affection and makes you feel closer on an instinctive level.—Psychotherapist Barton Goldsmith, PhD, author of Emotional Fitness for Couples.
3. Don't Be BFFsBeing pals with your man is great in theory. But that kind of connection actually can kill your sex life. You could wind up having a roommatelike bond with each other rather than a hot one if you let yourself lose track of the masculine-feminine tension that excited you at the beginning of your relationship. Save the gab sessions for when you hang out with your girlfriends and your sexy energy for connecting with your guy.—Lana Holstein, MD, director of sexuality and vitality programs for couples at Miraval Resort in Catalina, Arizona.
4. Enjoy a Steady Diet of Sex If you want to maintain closeness with your man, get out of your head and into bed. Guys feel more comfortable connecting with women on a physical level, not engaging in deep discussions. To strengthen your bond, approach your lust life as you would your gym regimen or your diet — make it part of your routine. Set a goal to have sex at least a couple times a week.—Toni Coleman.
5. Take Turns Talking To make sure you both get a chance to state what's on your mind during a disagreement — and get your points across — alternate playing reflective therapist, where one listens while the other talks.—Psychologist Diana Kirschner, PhD, author of Opening Love's Door.

6. Find the IntersectionWhen making decisions together, try to find common ground. You each should write down exactly what you want. Let's say you're angling for a vacay in San Francisco to see the sights and hit up the cool shops and restaurants, while he wants a tropical getaway where he can veg out by the pool and sip drinks with umbrellas in the glass. Now that your desires are clearly laid out on paper, you can pick a place that will satisfy both your needs. A cool city, a little sun...how about Miami? —Paul Dobransky, MD, author of The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love.
7. Be More Positive Than NegativeThere's a more effective way to air grievances than to file an angry complaint. Sandwich your negative comment between two positives. If you want to complain about how he's always late, for example, try something like "You know, I love that you're so laid-back and easygoing, but it really bothers me when you show up so late. I'm sure you can still be the fun guy I adore and also be on time." —Los Angeles psychologist Yvonne Thomas, PhD.
8. Echo Each Other When you and your man are having a serious relationship talk, it's easy to get so caught up in how you want to respond that you're not really listening to what's being said. That's why it's important for both of you to repeat each other: so you know you've been heard and you feel understood.—Yvonne Thomas.
9. Grow Your Tolerance Neither of you is perfect, and the quirks you both have are here to stay. So rather than let those annoying traits work your last nerve, try to get in touch with the upside of those particular flaws, even if it's not immediately recognizable. Instead of getting annoyed when he starts screaming at the TV, for example, remind yourself how much you love his passion. Or if his shyness with new people bugs you, think about how refreshing it is to be with a chill, genuine guy rather than a blowhard who needs to chat with everyone in the room.—Denver psychologist Jennifer Oikle, PhD, dating coach for Coupling Connection.

10. Take a Time-OutIt's important that you get a break from the daily grind and spend alone time as a couple — cell phones and the Internet are off-limits. It can be a fun day trip or just a few quiet hours to yourselves. The point is simply to steal away (even if you're going nowhere) so you can reconnect, free of any distractions. —Diana Kirschner.
11. Have His Back You might not agree with your guy when he's had a riff with a friend or he thinks his boss is being unfair, but you should always be on his side...and vice versa. Otherwise, you'll both feel like you can't count on each other. That doesn't mean you have to take the "you're so right" route all the time. Just hear him out, and let him know that you'll support him no matter what.—New York City psychotherapist JoAnn Magdoff, PhD.
12. Spend a Little Money on Each OtherYou don't have to wait for a special occasion to give small presents to show your love. In fact, gifts are more fun-and meaningful — when they're not expected. Try to get into the habit of exchanging sweet tokens of appreciation for no particular reason. Don't go and blow your paycheck though. It's not about being extravagant; it's just a way of showing that you really get — and think about — each other. Maybe you buy him a tee of his favorite band that you saw on sale or he gets you a pair of pajamas in your favorite color. —Barton Goldsmith.
13. Be a Good DateFace it, no one can stay fascinating forever. After being together for a while, the initial excitement fades, and your guy can start to get kind of boring sometimes. Hey, don't think you're off the hook — if you're feeling a little ho-hum about him, the feeling is likely mutual! To combat the blahs, take turns coming up with an interesting date idea every month. Keep the time and details to yourself, and try to think outside the box — dinner and a movie is not exactly innovative. An awesome concert or a snowboarding lesson, for example, is a much less predictable treat. —Jennifer Oikle.

Monday, July 7, 2008

How to Get a Man's Interest and Attention

You have an interest on this charming lovable guy and you want to know how to get him interested to you. Are you wondering what men are thinking? You want to get noticed by him and of course you want him to open up to you. Men are usually not vocal with their feelings and there are things you can do for him to open up to you to develop a good relationship with him eventually. Here are some tips to get a man's interest and attention:
Show that you are interested in his thoughts. To get a man's interest you must show concerns and let him know what he says matters to you. Interest reciprocates interest, if you show that you care about the things that matters to him, he will open up to you and things will be easier for you to know what he thinks.

Men are visual and of course physical appearance counts. You do not have to be like a super beauty and sexy type of girl to get a man's interest, but you should know how to dress like a true lady, know how to enhance your looks and know how to handle yourself. To get a man's interest and attention, wear clothes that define your best physical assets, if you have long slender beautiful legs they flaunt it. There are clothes that make you look gorgeous and beautiful. Color matters and you will be surprised how it can create magic in getting his attention. Think a lot about red, it is sensuous or intense and attracts attention especially to men.

To get a man's interest and attention, you must know what type of guy he is. Is he the serious type guy, a fashionable guy, a romantic guy, etc.? It is important to know what type of guy he is for you to know where to start. If he is a fashionable type of guy, then he makes fashion as a statement, so you can start from there. You will not get his attention if you cannot be fashionable or trendy. But remember, if you cannot afford to be expensively fashionable, there are ways to be trendy without spending too much. Read magazines and advice on how to dress and be fashionable on a budget.

There are countless ways to get a man's interest. Do you want to discover how to be irresistible to men and attract the man you’ve always wanted? Visit Make Every Man Wants You More

To be irresistible and get a man's interest visit Become a Man Magnet

To know more about love and dating visit All About Relationships



About the Author
Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including How to Get a Man's Interest and Attention. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

How to Get a Man's Interest and Attention

You have an interest on this charming lovable guy and you want to know how to get him interested to you. Are you wondering what men are thinking? You want to get noticed by him and of course you want him to open up to you. Men are usually not vocal with their feelings and there are things you can do for him to open up to you to develop a good relationship with him eventually. Here are some tips to get a man's interest and attention:

Show that you are interested in his thoughts. To get a man's interest you must show concerns and let him know what he says matters to you. Interest reciprocates interest, if you show that you care about the things that matters to him, he will open up to you and things will be easier for you to know what he thinks.

Men are visual and of course physical appearance counts. You do not have to be like a super beauty and sexy type of girl to get a man's interest, but you should know how to dress like a true lady, know how to enhance your looks and know how to handle yourself. To get a man's interest and attention, wear clothes that define your best physical assets, if you have long slender beautiful legs they flaunt it. There are clothes that make you look gorgeous and beautiful. Color matters and you will be surprised how it can create magic in getting his attention. Think a lot about red, it is sensuous or intense and attracts attention especially to men.

To get a man's interest and attention, you must know what type of guy he is. Is he the serious type guy, a fashionable guy, a romantic guy, etc.? It is important to know what type of guy he is for you to know where to start. If he is a fashionable type of guy, then he makes fashion as a statement, so you can start from there. You will not get his attention if you cannot be fashionable or trendy. But remember, if you cannot afford to be expensively fashionable, there are ways to be trendy without spending too much. Read magazines and advice on how to dress and be fashionable on a budget.

There are countless ways to get a man's interest. Do you want to discover how to be irresistible to men and attract the man you’ve always wanted? Visit Make Every Man Wants You More
To be irresistible and get a man's interest visit Become a Man Magnet
To know more about love and dating visit All About Relationships

About the Author
Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including How to Get a Man's Interest and Attention. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

How to get your Ex Back - "Avoiding Common Mistakes"

Do you still love him(her) and wondering how to get your ex back? Maybe you are questioning whether it is possible to get your ex back? Perhaps you are already on the patch of giving up already. Things can be even worse if your friends and family members are not very supportive of you trying to get your ex back. They may ask you to let go of the relationship,find someone better and that there is million other opportunities?

Well,the truth is that it does not have to be that problematic. You don't have to give up so soon, especially if you still have feelings for your ex and wants to get back together. Although, it is unrealistic to expect your ex to get back to you overnight, it can be done overtime, if you approach it correctly. You don't want to be too impatient over it.

Before planning what your next step is, perhaps you will want to briefly look at what you have done so far. Have you done anything that shouldn't be done? If you have, do not worry too much about it as there are steps you can take to reverse the situation. Most importantly, do not blame yourself.

Most people will probably make these common mistakes because of two main reasons. First, they are not really aware of it. Second, even if they know it is a mistake, they may still do it because it is hard not to make these mistakes when you are emotionally devastated. It is very easy to lose all control of yourself during such an emotionally trying time.

So, what are those mistakes? If you broke up just recently then its absolutely the worse timing to come up with any decision. You have just broken up and it is quite natural that you are not emotionally able to make any effective decisions. Chances are you will feel like there is no future in the world. Your mind may absorb thoughts that life without him/her is pointless. If you have this sort of thoughts, you will apparently want to get back with your ex but that may not be the honorable decision. Some of those mistakes including continuous calling your ex again and again or texting back and forth. Another big mistake is what is fairly called "drunk dialing". This situation my look like this: You have just broken up and you decided to get yourself drunk so that you can ease and get over with your emotional disappointment. Unfortunately, before you know it, you started to call your ex or texting messages to your ex while you are drunk. Possibility is that you are going to say something that you probably would not say when you are sober. This situation can be very embarrassing once you are sober and realizing the things that you have done.

Of course, what is being pointed out above is not so far an exhaustive list. There are many,many more mistakes that you will want to avoid at all cost. By avoiding all these things, you will increase your chances of getting you ex back and enjoy "The Magic Of Making Up ". The magic of making up- is the best resource of advices to help you along the way how to get your ex back!

About the Author
Greetings World! How many times have you smiled today? I hope that lots of times...so..."Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to:-)"