1. Prada Leather Clutch

A whimsical clutch tells the world what you’re feeling.

Time Inc. Digital Studio

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Silicone iPad Skin

Personalize your iPad with a bright jelly case.

Photo: Courtesy of Marc Jacobs

3. Mor Essentials Sugar Rose Lotions

(Mor Essentials Sugar Rose Lotions, BUY HERE, ~$16)

This fragrant floral scent has a sweet price to match.

Courtesy of Mor

4. Ippolita Four Stone Hoops

Rose gold’s a modern alternative to this holiday’s signature flower.

Courtesy of Ippolita

5. Le Creuset Stoneware Jar

(Le Creuset Stoneware Jar, BUY HERE, ~$25)

Sweeten your breakfast in bed with this bright jam jar.

Courtesy of Le Creuset

6. Diptyque Roseros Candle Duo

Burn these candles together for a heady mixture of sweet and spicy rose fragrances.

Time Inc. Digital Studio

7. Moët & Chandon Limited Edition Champagne Gift Set

Personalize a bottle of bubbly with a handwritten love note.

Time Inc. Digital Studio

8. Chloé Love Eau de Parfum

(Chloé Love Eau de Parfum, BUY HERE, ~$64)

Floral and vanilla notes give an ultra-feminine feel to this fresh, romantic scent.

Time Inc. Digital Studio

9. Tory Burch Nylon Tote

Bring this colorful carryall shopping or to the beach when the weather warms.

Courtesy of Tory Burch

10. Erickson Beamon Bosa Nova Necklace

She’ll fall for this colorful, layered design.

Courtesy of Erickson Beamon

11. Brulee Silk Lingerie Set

A demure cut makes this set totally wearable—yet undeniably sexy.

Time Inc. Digital Studio

12. Tasaki by Thakoon Gold Bracelet

A chic and sentimental sign of commitment, no hearts necessary!

Time Inc. Digital Studio

13. Chocolat Moderne Kimono Collection

( Chocolat Moderne Kimono Collection, BUY HERE, ~$97)

Delectable chocolates—embellished with vintage kimono patterns—are infused with Japanese-inspired flavors, like shiso-lime and green tea.

Time Inc. Digital Studio

14. Finn Rose Gold and Yellow Gold Rings

A dainty Cupid’s arrow, wrapped around your finger.

Time Inc. Digital Studio

15. Romygold Embossed Snakeskin Clutch

A luxe envelope clutch adds color and elegance to a basic black ensemble.

Courtesy of ROMYGOLD

16. One Kiss by Cindy Crawford Gold Ring Set

The henna symbol for kiss inspired the shape of these stackable rings.

Courtesy of One Kiss

17. Däv Quilted Victorian Rain Boot

These colorful lace-ups brighten a cloudy day.

Courtesy of Dav

18. Vosges Bapchi’s Caramel Toffee Heart

Nothing’s sweeter than this nutty, crunchy snack.

Courtesy of Vosges

19. Ivanka Trump Oval Diamond Drop Earrings

Tell her you mean forever with this eternity design.

Courtesy of Ivanka Trump

20. Smythson Leather Key Ring

Show her who holds the key to your heart!

Courtesy of Smythson

21. ProFlowers Love and Affection Bouquet

The classic rose arrangement gets a modern update with fuchsia cremons.

Courtesy of Proflowers

22. Kiehl’s The Perfect Pout Lip Balm Collection

(Kiehl’s Lip Balm Collection, BUY HERE, ~$10)

Pucker up with confidence and a coat of these fragrant treatments.

Courtesy of Kiehl’s

23. Nolan Gold Heart Ring

A bold design keeps these accessories from looking too sweet.

Courtesy of Nolan

24. Jamie Wolf Rose Gold and Diamond Flower Stud

These pretty petals won’t wilt!

Courtesy of Jamie Wolf

25. Saint Vintage Designs Triple Strand Bronze Bracelet

Share the love: a portion of every Saint Vintage Design purchase goes towards cancer research.

Courtesy of Saint Vintage Designs

26. Magnolia Bakery’s Love Note Box

These cupcakes say “I love you” in more ways than one!

Courtesy of Magnolia

Referenced article HERE.

Truth #1

You’ll regret that “Just wanted to make sure you got my last message” follow-up to an e-mail, text, or voicemail.

Truth #2

If you don’t feel comfortable having a conversation with a guy about sex — especially condoms — you shouldn’t be getting busy with him.

Truth #3

If a man breaks up with you out of the blue, the out-of-the-blue part is really only on your end.

Truth #4

Just as it’s best to wait to drop the L-bomb until your man does, let a guy change his Facebook status to “in a relationship” before you do.

Truth #5

No woman in a healthy long-term relationship has ever said, “Gee, I really wish I’d slept with my man sooner.”

Truth #6

Keeping a change of clothes at work in case of an emergency walk of shame isn’t optimistic behavior…it’s career-savvy.

Truth #7

When a guy repeatedly refers to his exes as “crazy,” “psycho,” or “sluts,” he will use those same words against you one day.

Truth #8

If a relationship feels like too much work after the first month, it’ll be 10 times harder a year from now.

Truth #9

A guy who rates you or other girls as a number from 1 to 10 is a loser, even if he gives you a 10. You’re a woman, not county fair livestock.

Truth #10

A guy who talks about how skilled he is in the sack is like a man who brags about his money. Either way, he ain’t got it. The kind of man you want to be with knows that actions speak louder than words. And thankfully, there are plenty of those types out there!

Referenced article HERE.

1. Make a Decision

This list works from four principles: making, giving, doing, saying. That is the order of things, too. Making is first. First thing: make a decision. For instance, decide: you are not afraid (not afraid to pick out flowers or to say what you think). Decide: you are not worried about yourself (and what you might or might not get from this endeavor). Decide: you don’t deserve anything from love, so you expect nothing. (This, friends, is power.) Make a decision that recognizes that the only thing you can control is your own behavior.

Photo: Thomas Barwick/Stone/Getty

2. Make Food

Observe what she likes. Stock your kitchen. Start with a small plate of at least three well-chosen elements: olives, chocolate, expensive cheese. Like that. Move on to breakfast if you’re lucky (learn how to cook an omelet), or to dinner’s humblest offerings: a savory soup, salad, bread and expensive store-bought dessert. Don’t apologize for your shortcomings as a cook. Making food is an assertion of capability. Even a bad meal, made for another, tells that person you will try, that you will come back stronger and better informed.

Photo: Carlos Spottorno/Taxi/Getty

3. Give a Gift

Pick it by laying your hands on it. This implies: getting off the couch and giving something that matters. Forget the Internet. Forget anything you can order over the Internet: flowers, perfume, suggestions for the reading club, shake-weights. The Internet is a gas cloud of binary code — long strings of ones and zeros. Don’t give in to the coding. Instead, give her something off your dresser. Give her a drawer in your dresser. Give her an order of take-out sushi at work. Then, forgetting reciprocation entirely, assess how that makes you feel.

Photo: Michael M Schwab/Stone/Getty

4. Give Compliments

Lead with one when you walk in the room. Pull her aside for another when you leave the room together. Mean what you say. Women listen to what you appreciate in them. Don’t lie about her hair if you don’t really like it.

Photo: Joshua Sheldon/Riser/Getty

5. Give Your Appreciation

I asked my girlfriend: How did your dad show your mom that he loved her? Her response: “Ceaseless appreciation of everything she did for him. He treated everything she did as if it were a surprise, as if it were the first time he’d ever had her chili or smelled her perfume. He noted every routine kindness. And he loved her the same way, consistently, even when she got fat.” Don’t worry about this last thing. Just appreciate what you have and it won’t be an issue anyway.

Photo: Steven Errico/Digital Vision/Getty

6. Make a Gesture of Your Very Own

When I was fourteen I opened my family’s refrigerator one evening and discovered a plate of antipasto in which every piece of food on the plate had been cut in the shape of Valentine hearts. I pulled it out, went and thanked my mom who was watching TV. She smiled and said, “That’s for me. I can’t stand that salty meat, so I left it there all day just to look at it. That’s how your father lets me know he loves me.” My father had, before leaving the house that morning, shaped everything on every flat surface into hearts. “It’s his little thing. It’s what he does,” my mother said. “It’s so corny, but it works.” I’ve never tried it. That was his material. But I got the point. Small gestures are a pleasure of love.

Photo: Tooga/Stone/Getty

7. Be Dominant

Aggressiveness and strength can be a form of completion. Saying what you want, even gruffly, is a means of telling the person you are speaking to that you actually want them, particularly. The message here is: Be strong. Don’t be constantly compliant and cooperative. Women want to be heard, but they don’t want to push you around. So — despite all my urging to be humble, self-contained, to strip yourself of expectations — be honest about what you need, what you like and what you want. Don’t force it, but don’t back off either.

Photo: Cultura/Sporrer/Rupp/Getty

8. Be Passive

I’m talking about letting the needs of the other supersede the needs of the self. Surrender. Give in. Do what she wants, the way she wants it. You can be sure a good woman knows the value of a small surrender. Despite the moronic hegemony of lite-beer commercials in the framing of American male self-conception, there is nothing wrong with going shopping now and then, in reading a book she gives you, in listening to her expansive stories about conflicts at work. You want her to watch games with you, to watch you play softball, to sit around and eat wings once in a while, right? Lookie there, I’m in the middle of a Miller Lite commercial as we speak.

Photo: Jonathan Ford/Lifesize/Getty

9. Tell Her What You Are

Make a list of all your flaws, foibles and missteps. Be honest. A legal pad is your best friend here. Just put your head down and admit your shortcomings, your weaknesses, your mistakes. Use numbers. Remember: Don’t sell it. Just tell it. You will never be sorry you did, not five days later, or five years. Don’t ask for forgiveness. This is an assertion, too, not an apology. If you’re lucky, she’ll be inspired to do the same. And the two of you will undo years of deception. Save your best stuff if you must, leave blank lines, whatever. But understand that if you are not willing to open up in this way, at least in some fashion, then you probably aren’t in love.

Photo: Julian Rupp/Getty

10. Just Show Up

And tell her something. Deliver the message in person. Avoid texting, cell phones, e-mails. Walk to your car, drive across the city, find a parking spot, go into her office, suffer the niceties and small talk of her inane office workers, greet her, pull her to the side and tell her that you were thinking about how much you love the way she looks in her underwear. She’ll know what you did to get there, that it meant something to you. She’ll understand the geography you crossed to get to this point and apprehend the pure outlines of your desire. You can also tell her you love her this way. But personally, I’d wait on that.

Photo: Nicole Hill/Getty

Referenced article HERE.

Raise your hand if you think men stray more than women.

Nice show of hands. If you’re like most people, you probably assume that when it comes to cheating spouses and partners, the blame lies with men. After all, studies have proved it: According to research conducted by the National Opinion Center at the University of Chicago, the number of cheating men almost doubles that of women.

“Men have higher levels of testosterone, higher sex drives and studies have shown that they’re more mentally preoccupied with sex than women — three reasons why they’re more likely to cheat,” says Scott Haltzman, M.D., author of The Secrets of Happy Families.

But the fact remains that despite which sex is having more fun on the side, cheating isn’t gender-specific. In fact this year, the tabloids have showcased the most famous members of the female philanderers club: Just last month LeAnn Rimes shacked up with actor Eddie Cibrian with whom she had an affair while still married to former dancer Dean Sheremet. Tory Spelling recently said that her 90210 co-stars dropped her after she cheated on hubby Charlie Shanian with actor Dean McDermott. In April, Whoopi Goldberg admitted on The View that she cheated on her husband five or six times. Even Carrie Bradshaw dipped her toes in the pool of infidelity when she shared a stolen kiss with former flame Aidan in the movie Sex and the City II.

The fact is it’s just as easy for women to cheat as it is for men. And technology plays a big role in helping unhappy women stray, since a fling is always one or two clicks away. “We can now scroll through thousands of Facebook profiles on our iPhones and Blackberries, and seeing myriad options makes the dating pool seem wider than it is. As a result, many women question whether or not they’ve settled by choosing their partner,” says New York City-based sex and relationship therapist Jane Greer, Ph.D., author of What About Me?.

And plenty of companies are facilitating cheating. Apple is pushing an application called Tiger Text that deletes both incoming and outgoing messages from the sender and the receiver’s phone after a set period of time. And AshleyMadison.com, a personals site created to bring cheating spouses together, now offers iPhone and Blackberry versions. Since the tools are uploaded from phone browsers, cheating women can avoid that pesky search trail. “We created the applications in part because of a dramatic surge in the under-30 female membership,” says Noel Biderman, CEO and President of AshleyMadison. “Women are now joining the site at the same rate as men. This was totally unheard of five years ago.”

No doubt the fact that women are dominating the work force has something to do with it. “Having economic independence gives many women the courage to take a chance with their marriage,” says Haltzman. Their hefty paychecks won’t make them cheat, but if the affair ends in divorce, it cushions the financial consequences of her decision.

That financial freedom has also changed the face of marriage. Where it used to be an institution of necessity (women needed a man for financial support), today women choose their husbands by their ability to live up to their idealized standards of true love: Is he aggressive at the office and gentle at home? Is he my lover and my best friend? Can he write poetry and build a home from the ground up? “The result of women having such high standards is that they often look for the nearest exit if their partner doesn’t live up to them,” says Greer.

But if we’re going to excuse male cheating as “sex addiction”, philandering women may also get a pass, courtesy of science: In a recent study conducted by the University of Texas in Austin, researchers found that women considered beautiful — by themselves and others — have more of the hormone estradiol, a form of estrogen that triggers desire and racy behavior. And scientists say these women are more likely to flirt and sleep with someone who is not her primary partner because they’ll subconsciously view themselves as having more options, which prevent them from committing to one man.

But even for the women who don’t possess these high levels of estrogen, if they’re getting off their birth control pill, their body chemistry may propel them to cheat, according to scientists at the University of Liverpool. When a woman couples up with a guy, she’s usually drawn to his unique scent — an indication that they’ll have healthy babies due to their dissimilar immune systems. But, researchers found, the pill shifts a woman’s sexual preferences toward mates with similar immune systems. Therefore, if she chose her partner while on the pill, then gets off it, she’ll likely find herself stuck in a relationship with a guy whose scent repels her.

Yet, if she finds comfort in the arms of another man, happily ever after is unlikely. “The majority of philandering pairs divorce,” says Atlanta-based psychiatrist and family therapist Frank Pittman, M.D. “In addition to this new relationship being plagued by guilt and distrust, the qualities that drew you to each other in the first place (spontaneity, unpredictability) usually translate into some very unappealing long term qualities.”

In addition to being plagued by trust issues, these couples usually find that those exciting qualities that drew them to each other so quickly in the first place translate into some rather unappealing long-term traits. And once the shine wears off, she’s back where she started: in an unfulfilling relationship.

Referenced article here: http://on.msn.com/bIZ5F1

1. When You Bare It

Did you know that the average American woman spends almost $200 a year on her makeup? That’s a shocking $13,000 spent over her lifetime. And the kicker: Our guys actually prefer our skin sans accompaniment. “I love how she looks when she first wakes up, ” says Keith, 36, of his fiancée, April. “Fresh, clean, natural. I hate when she piles on that cakey eye stuff. She still looks good, but she just doesn’t look as much like herself.” Chris, 23, concurs. “I was actually drawn to [my girlfriend] Stephanie because she didn’t wear makeup. She didn’t really look like she was trying to be noticed. That was cool, you know?” “She’s never as gorgeous as she is just out of the shower,” says Daniel, 30, of his wife, Gina. “When she’s all natural, scrubbed clean, and walking around in a towel — man, I love that. I actually proposed to her in that towel!” “I absolutely hate lip gloss,” says Taylor, 21. “My girlfriend’s always trying to kiss me with it on, and it’s so sticky! Seriously, why do you ladies like that stuff?” “Lip gloss is the worst,” says Taylor’s friend Rand, 22. “I can never get it off my face! It completely takes the romance out of kissing because I keep thinking about how annoying it is.”

2. Your Belly

If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably lost count of the millions of hours you’ve spent doing ab exercises. And that’s the good news. The bad news? Turns out guys don’t actually care as much as we think they do. “I love her stomach!” says Derke, 30, of his wife, Lita. “It’s too round,” she protests. He maintains that it’s “perfect. She’s soft and feminine and I love that her body just fits with mine.” “[My wife] Irene’s soft and curvy, and I love that about her,” says William, 40. “She’s got all the right goods in all the right places,” says Jermaine, 35, of the “significant lady” in his life. “As far as I’m concerned, there’s a reason they call ‘em ‘love handles!’” “I’m not perfect, so I definitely don’t expect [my girlfriend] Cate to be,” says Ben, 29. “I love her, all of her, physically and mentally; I’m sure I would still love her if she dropped 10 pounds or dyed her hair pink, but I think she’s exceptional just the way she is.” “She’s only gotten more lovely with age,” says Henry, 81, of his wife Edith. “Neither one of us have the bodies we used to, but I love each wrinkle and stretch mark. They’re a testament to the life we’ve shared together. I didn’t fall in love with her because she looked like Ava Gardner (which she did); I fell in love with her because she was the sweetest girl in the world, and that hasn’t changed in over 50 years of marriage.”

3. When You Do That Thing You Do

One person’s garbage is someone else’s treasure. Let me put it another way: The right guy is going to find your weird habits absolutely adorable. “She sings completely off-key,” says Ivan, 38, of his wife, Rachele. “It’s so endearing. When she sings in the shower, it’s a beautiful, terrible symphony that never fails to make me smile.” “My girlfriend has a habit of twirling her hair that used to drive me up the wall,” says Colin, 21. “Once we were dating a while, though, I realized that she only does it when she’s deep in thought. Now it’s really cute!” “She leaves her bras everywhere,” Phillip, 31, says about his wife Helene. “On door handles, over the shower rod — I even found one on the coat rack once. It used to drive me crazy, but when she pointed out that I leave my (dirty) socks everywhere, I realized we’re two peas in a pod.” “[My girlfriend] Tiffany and I have completely opposite tastes in music,” says Sam, 22. “I’m more Talking Heads than Lady Gaga per se, but even though I only go to pop concerts with her to be supportive, I like that our separate interests mean we’re both exposed to stuff we otherwise wouldn’t be interested in knowing anything about.” “She has a knowledge of celebrity culture that is completely beyond me,” says Pat, 24, of his girlfriend Caroline. “I never know (or care about) anything that’s going on in Hollywood, but she’s can go on for hours about who’s dating whom, and who just broke up with that guy from that movie, and what the new hit spots are. I think it’s cute though; I mean, that’s her thing, just like rugby is mine. We all need our own things, it’s what keeps things spicy.”

4. When You Toss the Hair Dryer

“Amy refuses to leave the house without stick-straight hair,” says Steve, 23, of his naturally curly-haired girlfriend. “It’s ridiculous! Every day, she spends hours in the bathroom using that straightener thing. I wish she’d leave it curly, at least a few days a week.” We’re pretty sure that the “straightener thing” Steve was referring to is a flatiron, and we’re even more sure that he’s echoing the sentiment of many more guys out there: We like your hair just the way it is! “This one’s spent hundreds, no, thousands, of dollars on relaxers, extensions, perms, and color jobs over the years,” says Clement, 45, of his wife, Cherie. “You name it, she’s tried it. But eventually, she came to realize what I’d known all along: that she was blessed with beautiful hair naturally.” “Her hair was, honest to God, bright yellow,” says Jason, 42, of a bad dye his wife had a few years ago. “I mean, it really looked terrible — like a highlighter. After that, she stopped coloring her hair, and I think she’s never looked better.” “[My girlfriend] Danielle’s got really thick hair,” says Steve, 30. “She’s probably in the bathroom about two hours every day, just working on her hair. Which is fine, except she thinks it only takes her about 30 minutes, so when we’re running late for something and she says ‘Oh, I’m just going to hop in the shower and do my hair real quick,’ it’s frustrating. Every hair does not have to be perfect, woman!”

5. Your Eyelashes

“I love her eyes,” says Trevor, 46. “Sometimes she looks at me under her lashes and it makes me want to head straight to the bedroom!” “Right now, her eyelashes look so fluffy, says Derek, 24, who didn’t know that his girlfriend was wearing falsies at the time. “Her eyes are one of her best features, so I love that her lashes make my attention goes straight there.” “Her eyelashes? Yeah, they’re ridiculous,” says Seth, 26, of his girlfriend’s notoriously long lashes. “I actually noticed them right off the bat when we first met. She knows how to use them, too! She just looks at me, and I’m like, ‘Okay, what do you want?’” “His girlfriend’s lashes are incredible,” says Seth’s friend Vik, also 26. “I’ve gotta get me a girl like that.”

6. Your Legs

This one’s a no-brainer, ladies: big ones, small ones, short ones, long ones, they’re all good as far as the menfolk are concerned. “They’re so smooth!” says James, 26, of his girlfriend Sarah’s legs. “I love they way they feel. And when she wears heels? Forget about it. Her legs are insane.” “I’m a leg man myself,” says David, 43. “I can’t resist my wife when she crosses and uncrosses her legs. She knows it, too!” “Why do I like women’s legs? I’m not sure I have a good answer,” says Nate, 32. “I just do. They’re elegant, you know? And smooth! Women always have such smooth legs, and, as a guy, I guess I’m attracted to things that are different, that I don’t have, if that makes sense. It’s why I like boobs, too — cause I don’t have them!” “Oh, I’m definitely a leg man,” says Lars, 51. “I don’t even care what the rest of her looks like, but if a woman has a nice pair of legs, I’m down for the count. Hey, your legs are pretty good. How about it?” he propositions this reporter. “You could be wife number three!” No thanks, Lars. But, we do hear you, lads. If wielded the right way, a woman’s legs can be a powerful weapon. Our advice? Take care of your legs, and they’ll take care of you.

7. Your Style

Time to break out the feathers, bright nail polish, and all those other trends you love, because, fashionable or not, nothing makes you sexier than you being you. “Sandy has a style that’s completely her own,” says Dennis, 51, of his wife of 27 years. “She’s always been a free spirit, and I love that she wears crazy hats and dresses over pants.” Patrick, 33, loves that his wife wears her bright red hair in a spiky pixie cut and refuses to wear high heels. “She knows what works for her, and I love that!” he says. “She used to do ballet, so she said after years of being up on her toes, she’s going to wear flats from now on. Honestly? I don’t care. She’ll always be sexy to me, no matter what she wears or how she looks.” “I’m pretty subdued, so it was a real change to date someone who dresses more flamboyantly,” says Mike, 44, of his girlfriend Eva’s recent birthday outfit, a sequined, backless dress, feathered hair-piece, and hot pink crocodile booties. “I love it though. It’s always a reflection of her personality, and she always looks amazing.” When Robert, 47, showed up for a blind date with Maggie, he wasn’t expecting to be meeting the girl in the Shakespearean garb. “She worked at a nearby Renaissance fair, and had just gotten off work,” he said. “At first I thought it was weird, but then I was like, ‘Okay, yeah, this girl is awesome!’” That was seven years ago, and the couple got engaged two years ago. “She actually totally got me into the Renaissance fair circuit,” he says, “and I love it!”

8. Your Scent

“I don’t know how she does it, but she always smells delicious,” says Brent, 29, of his girlfriend, Cate. “Even when she just gets out of the shower!” “I love inhaling her right here,” says Damien, 35, pointing to the area of his girlfriend Veronica’s neck right under her ear, where she says she applies Burberry’s The Beat Eau perfume every morning. “She smells amazing, all sexy and soft.” Mike, 30, loves his fiancée Nadine’s Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise perfume. “All her stuff smells like it,” he says. “I love when I wake up and she’s gone, I can still smell it on her pillow.” Tyler, 26, says his girlfriend “asked for a bottle of Stellanude by Stella McCarthy for her birthday, and now I now knows why. She smells incredible in it. It’s seriously like an aphrodisiac for me, all I can think about is her wearing nothing except that perfume.”

9. When You Ask for What You Want

“Take it from me,” says Dean, 45. “The key to a successful relationship is for the woman to go into every situation assuming that her mate is dense. Like me and my wife. I don’t get subtleties. Our relationship improved ten times when she finally stopped implying things she wanted and started asking straight out.” “My wife’s pretty bossy,” says Peter, 67. “But that can be a good thing. At least I know what she wants!” “I’m not a mind reader!” says Mike, 25. “I’ll be honest — I rarely know exactly why my girl’s frustrated or mad at me. We finally had it out, and she realized she needs to be more open with me.” “My one complaint about my [new] girlfriend is that I wish she would speak up more about what she needs and wants from me…sexually-speaking,” says Adam, 34. “She’s shy and kinda self-conscious maybe, which is fine, but I’m never sure if I’m doing what she wants me to do.” “I think directness [in bed] is sexy,” says Jake, 28. “When a woman takes charge, it takes the pressure off of me and lets me relax and enjoy the ride.” “Nothing’s more of a turn-on for me than when my girlfriend tells me what to do in bed,” says Xavier, 36. Moral of the story: In bed and out, make sure your guy knows what you like — how will he find out otherwise?

10. Your Job

“My wife used to be a professor of women’s studies,” says Al, 72. “I love that her longtime passion about women’s rights helped her find a job where she was able to help others appreciate themselves better and fight for their rights.” “Maybe this sounds silly,” says Garrison, 42, “but I find my wife sexiest when she puts on her power suit before a big meeting. I don’t know — maybe it’s the fact that it reflects how smart and capable and passionate she about her career, but that suit does the trick better than any French maid costume.” “She works in an elementary school,” says Samuel, 49, of his wife Annie. “I love watching her with her kids, it’s absolutely amazing to see the way they respond to her. And when I see how fulfilled she is in her career, I’m just so happy to have married a beauty with brains, too.” “My girlfriend’s in public relations,” says Hector, 26, “which is something I know nothing about, but it’s very cool to watch her at work — she’s always on the go. I really admire her and everything that she’s done. She came to America when she was 14, and went on to graduate from an Ivy league school, and have a really successful career. Is that a turn on? Definitely. I love that she’s smart!”

Referenced article here: http://on.msn.com/bGxgKy

1. Men are bad multitaskers, so don’t make us profess our feelings for you and have sex at the same time. You won’t be getting the best we have to give on either score.

2. A porn director lives in your guy’s head, telling him that he has to last for hours on end. It’s your job to give him a slightly more realistic time frame.

3. While we’re on the subject, the only thing porn girls have over you is a willingness to have their fun bits examined in good light. You can do that.

4. Oh wait, the other thing that porn girls have is they’re happy with whatever men do to them in bed. Don’t be that happy; it would make you a little insane. Simply be normal happy and express the joy you’re experiencing—that will help us understand what you want more of.

5. It’s not your job to deal with every erection he gets, but it would be nice if you were delighted by each one. Take a cue from an ex-girlfriend who would start every day by playing with my man parts—just enough to tease me awake. She was like an alarm clock…the world’s best alarm clock. Steal her signature move or invent one of your own.

6. Sometimes, of course, his erection will go south. When that happens, don’t tell him, “Aww, it’s OK.” No guy wants you pitying his privates. Instead, give him a foot rub or a nice back massage—anything to let him know that his (currently out-of-commission) penis isn’t going to get in the way of your commitment to loving the rest of his body.

7. In a blindfolded test, most men would prefer a hand job to oral sex. So give your jaw a rest, grab a bottle of something lubricating and trot out a talent that’s probably gotten rusty since high school.

8. Letting him watch you masturbate will markedly improve his oral sex skills. Early on, a girlfriend told me exactly how she wanted me to go down on her, but it wasn’t until she showed me what she did with her own hands that I really caught on. Which is why his asking you to play with yourself isn’t for him; it’s for you. See, turns out your guy’s a philanthropist.

9. Transcript of his thoughts while he’s having sex with you: “Is she OK? Is she OK now? What about now? Short breath! What’s that sound mean?!…Deep breath. Oh no, I’m finishing! Is she OK with that? What about now?” Now you know.

10. Tell him, “I love the look on your face when you orgasm.” And while you’re at it, decide that you actually do. You can’t change it, so embrace it.

11. If you would like your body to seem cuter to him, use it to have sex with him more. It’s up to you: How cute do you want to be?

12. You don’t have to be every woman in the world for him—that’s what his very active imagination is for. (Also, unless you’re dating a meganarcissist, he knows that he’s not every man for you.)

Referenced article here: http://bit.ly/93Jylx

1. That webcam didn’t begin to do her justice.

2. Only one beer? Check. Ate the Altoids? Check. Pre-date safety orgasm? Check.

3. Please don’t put on the baggy T-shirt!

4. Duuuuuude!

5. Interesting. Another nipple shape for my mental collection.

6. Who is Mike? And what is his name doing there?

7. Hmm…have I ever washed these sheets?

8. I kinda don’t care if they’re fake.

9. Focus on her eyes, focus on her eyes, focus on her…oh, forget it.

10. Suck in my gut, suck in my gut, suck in my…oh, forget it.

Referenced article here: http://bit.ly/bAHUKz

1. Every woman could use one compliment a day.

2. We’d rather you didn’t say, “I’ll call you” if you really mean “goodbye.” Just don’t say anything — we won’t think you’re a jerk as we part ways for the night. And you know the saying that goes, “It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver”? How about, just don’t promise anything and don’t deliver anything.

3. Most of us are not crazy or psycho. We can be emotional and hormonal.

4. If we catch you glancing at our chest when you’re a foot away, we’ll think you’re rude and have no willpower. You can look, but from a distance.

5. Even the most confident among us can act needy and insecure at times. It happens when you start pulling away and we’re not aware that that’s what you’re doing, only that you’re acting funny. But oh, you should see how cool and independent most of us are when we’re not dating someone.

6. Feminine hygiene commercials are silly, but don’t complain about having to watch them. Try having to use them — for several days each month, I mean — for most of your life. When you complain, it makes you look insensitive. And weak. We have no sympathy.

7. Please don’t yell when you think we’re driving poorly, especially if we’re from the west coast and we’ve never seen a rotary before. Just give us advice, help, or moral support. (P.S. If you stomp your foot on the ground because you think we should brake, well, it’s just funny. We will brake if/when we need to.)

8. If you text, “Hows ur week goin?” we can either reply “good” and risk sounding curt (see #16) or we can send you a 400-word document. Don’t put us in this position. Just don’t text open-ended questions.

9. Texting a girl twice a week does not count as staying in contact. It’s meaningless and a waste of everyone’s time. Let her go.

10. Booty texts: weak.

11. If you’re a mama’s boy and you’re looking for a wife, think about it: what woman wants to be #2? Consider setting boundaries and work on establishing some independence. You and your mom can have a loving relationship without being co-dependent.

12. After you do something bad, it would be so much better if you called us right away to apologize. You think it’s best to wait a few days while we cool off, but what’s cooling off is our feelings for you. Man up. The sooner the better.

13. The reason we’re up in your grill about what time you’re coming over, and the reason we’re so good at communicating our own whereabouts, is that since the beginning of time our parents were making us report back to them about where we were and when we’d be home.

Most of the girls I knew, including my sister and I, didn’t have the freedom the boys in our neighborhood had. Then in college, out of habit, we always told our roommates when we would be home (especially if we went to school in a bad neighborhood), and they did the same.

So that’s why we’re like that. We’ve been under tight surveillance since birth and it took a lot of work just to be allowed (FINALLY) to ride our bikes un-chaperoned to the movie theater. Now we’re trained. If you don’t like that we’re this way, take it up with our parents.

14. High heels really hurt.

15. Teasing won’t bait us. Attempting to wear us down is annoying.

16. 5-word emails seem cranky. Efficient, yes. Loving, no. Greet. Ask questions. Elaborate where possible.

17. If we say we’re babysitting for a friend, we did not say we want to have a baby now and that we want you to be the dad. “I’m babysitting” simply means, “I’m busy being a good friend.” You are paranoid and it’s embarrassing.

18. Stop talking about marrying us until you actually give one of us a ring.

19. Please be aware of how serious and in love you sound. Just say, “I like you,” not, “Let’s fly to Miami next month.” (I thought guys were supposed to be direct.) Sure, it sounds cooler (and less vulnerable) to talk a big game about Miami, but come next month, you won’t remember saying anything about Miami.

20. If a girl has pretty eyes, she has probably heard men tell her that five thousand times. It’s fine to repeat the compliment, but you’ll make a much bigger impression if you find something else to compliment.

21. As far as having children goes, you have the luxury of time. Appreciate it.

22. Taking us for granted is probably the worst thing you could do after cheating and lying. Since women are very good at appreciating each other, your behavior looks kinda selfish to us.

23. The word is “cherish.” Do you cherish her?

Referenced article here: http://on.msn.com/de6aN4

1. Is He Addicted to Texting?

It’s encouraging to see a guy who’s good with his hands, but not when they’re always attached to his phone. A higher connection to his phone means less of a connection to you, says Berman. “There’s an epidemic of soft addiction to our computing devices that absolutely gets in the way of intimacy.” The more time he’s texting, the less time he’s communicating with you. “If he’s always distracted with one toe in the cyber world, you’re going to have less satisfying sex.”

2. Is He Constantly Manscaping?

Hair gel, lotion, brush, eye cream … if he uses any of these more often than you do, you can bet your next manicure that his vanity will extend from the bathroom to the bedroom. “If he’s always primping, he might be more self-absorbed sexually,” says Berman. “He could be the type that’s looking in the mirror instead of at you while having sex.”

3. Does He Refuse to Share His Food?

Eating together can be a sensual experience, but if he’s withholding his entree, he may hold back on pleasing you in other ways, too. “He won’t be giving in the bedroom,” says Berman. “He’s far more interested in being on the receiving end.” Also, if he deliberately orders something you won’t eat (think steak with a vegetarian date), consider it a red flag and grab a doggy bag.

4. Is He a Penny Pincher?

If he barely leaves a 10 percent tip when you go to a restaurant, don’t expect too much in the bedroom. “If he’s stingy with money, he’s stingy elsewhere, too,” says Berman. Watch out, however, for reckless spenders who throw away cash or frequently gamble. “It’s a sign of being irresponsible and someone who might have been sloppy with safe-sex precautions,” she warns.

5. Does He Eat Only Macho Meals?

There’s nothing wrong with a beer guy, but if he refuses to order a dish that’s not labeled “meat,” then odds are he won’t attempt other things … like experimentation in the bedroom. According to Berman, “He’s more narrow-minded about gender and may have deeper insecurities. He also might be more rigid about positions he’s uncomfortable with.” If experimenting with food outside his comfort zone — or letting you take charge — challenge his masculine side, expect his mentality to dominate both in and out of bed.

6. Does He Hate Public Displays of Affection?

Everyone cringes at the couple mauling each other in public, but what’s the harm in a little hand-holding? For guys who can’t outwardly show affection, expect bigger problems in the bedroom. Berman predicts, “He might be less in touch with his body and be less comfortable with connecting physically.” His anti-PDA stance will definitely hurt the romance. “He won’t be a very sensual, sensory kind of lover.”

7. Is He His Own Boss?

Forget Wall Street bankers or high-profile execs. The key to adventures in the bedroom is being with an entrepreneur. “They’re leaders rather than followers,” says Berman. “Expect a risk-taker in bed.” Also, any man who isn’t afraid to try something new — whether it’s launching a business, skydiving or taking a wine class — will bring his sense of experimentation to your romantic life.

Referenced article here: http://bit.ly/3daILQ

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 1: She’s Exciting and Always Evolving

You know how every season finale of your favorite TV show ends with a million unanswered questions and you can’t freaking wait for the next one? Well, a girl can give her guy that same thrilling mix of exhilaration and anticipation by surprising him.

“She does this by being spontaneous and a little unpredictable, taking on new interests all the time, and revealing different facets of herself,” explains Alon Gratch, Ph.D., author of If Love Could Think. By never letting life get static, this woman busts the myth that being married means feeling humdrum. “She makes being with her an adventure, as if there’s always a new idea or activity just around the bend,” says Gratch.

“With most of my girlfriends, I feared that we’d run out of things to talk about if we spent too much time together. But when I met my fiancée, Gwen, I kept discovering new layers to her. One day she came home from work with a stack of cookbooks; the next week she told me stories about how she loved designing outfits in high school. She’s full of small surprises.” —Brett, 29

“I dated a lot of girls who liked pushing boundaries, but it all seemed a little forced. My wife’s sense of adventure, however, comes from within. She’s naturally driven to challenge herself by trying new things. That’s the kind of girl you want to marry. If you aren’t continually fascinated by each other, it won’t last.” —Rob, 38

“The thing that makes my fiancée so captivating: She takes risks. I don’t mean she bungee jumps off bridges. It’s more that when a new opportunity comes along — a different facet to her job or the chance to meet new people at an event or party — she grabs it and proceeds. Her boldness makes her enchanting.” —Bob, 27

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 2: She Really, Really Loves Sex

No big shocker here — a chick who enjoys twisting the sheets will always have a hopping social life. But when a woman makes the effort to have really connected sex that involves both body and mind, she goes from great girlfriend to marriage material in his view.

“Men crave sex that’s erotic, but they also want sex that makes them feel deeply bonded,” says Gratch. In other words, it’s not all about wowing a guy with pretzel-like positions; a big part of having amazing booty is paying close attention to his mind-set and moods during the deed so sex reaches a higher, almost spiritual level.

Another thing that makes them think of the M word: when a woman is actively committed to keeping the passion on high boil. “A guy’s biggest fear is that the great sex that made him think you were The One will fall by the wayside,” explains Douglas Weiss, Ph.D., author of The 7 Love Agreements: Decisions You Can Make on Your Own to Strengthen Your Marriage. “A woman who puts effort into maintaining that sizzle is a dream come true.”

“To make sure that the awesome sex we had when we first met didn’t lose its passion, my wife came up with this idea for regular ‘sex bets.’ For example, she’d bet me that I couldn’t make her climax several times in a row, or I’d challenge her to initiate action in a semipublic spot. We have never fallen into a rut, and our competition keeps us feeling connected.” —Jamie, 30

“My fiancée did this terrific thing when we first started having sex: After we were finished, she’d tell me how good I made her feel, that she really liked how I felt against her skin. It made me want to tell her what I liked too. Guys aren’t supposed to admit it, but opening up about how sex affects us emotionally actually enhances the physical side of things.” —Paul, 28

“My fiancée was up-front from the start about her desire for an extremely satisfying sex life; she never had any hang-ups about taking charge in bed or proposing out-there activities that a lot of women would be afraid to admit they were curious about. I could tell I wasn’t getting ensnared in the classic bait-and-switch marriage that so many guys fall into — you know, when the action slows to a halt a year after you become husband and wife.” —Russ, 34

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 3: She Makes It Clear He’s Not Her Entire Life

It’s flattering to a guy to realize that his girl thinks the world of him, but it’s less appealing when he gets the impression that he is her world. That’s why a girlfriend who retains her independence and sense of self, even as the relationship takes a serious turn, has definite wife appeal.

“A woman who depends on a man for her sense of fulfillment is a scary thing for a guy,” says Gratch. “Men don’t want to feel smothered or totally responsible for their partner’s day-to-day happiness.” The guy ideal: a chick who views coupledom as a solid partnership in which both she and her man still have separate identities.

“Before we were married, Jess would go out with her group of friends a lot, which I later became a part of. But she didn’t put all of her focus on me. She made it clear that she was there to hang out with them. I really liked the fact that she wasn’t the type of girl who ditches her girlfriends when she meets a guy. It made me confident that she’d always have her own life outside our relationship.” —Sam, 33

“She definitely makes time for me so we can do things as boyfriend and girlfriend, but my fiancée also keeps up her own life. She has a weekly dinner with college friends, an art class every Thursday night, plus the responsibilities of her job as a journalist. I like that she doesn’t check with me first to see what I want to do and she doesn’t offer to bail out of an event or night out with pals in favor of always being with me.” —Charles, 35

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 4: …Yet She Still Conveys How Very Important He Is to Her

Okay, so men dig independent chicks. But there’s a fine line between being independent and acting aloof and detached. Guys settle down with a woman who regularly reveals her tender side and shows him that no matter what happens, she’s got his back.

“Men view life as a struggle or war that they’re fighting, and they want someone who’ll be on their side at all times, through thick and thin,” says Gratch. “This doesn’t mean that a woman should mother him or assist him with every little detail of his life; it’s more about consistently doing small, nurturing things that let him know you really care.”

A couple of examples: Bringing him a treat when he tells you he isn’t feeling well or complimenting his brilliance after he finishes a stressful work project. “These gestures are tiny, but they reassure a man that his girl is solidly on his team,” says Gratch.

“When we first started becoming a serious couple, my fiancé accepted a new job that required a lot of travel and attention. Still, even from hotels across the country, she took the time to call and check in on how my day was going and e-mail me little messages. She even stocked my refrigerator with beer and sandwiches before she’d leave on another trip. Her concern and thoughtfulness helped push our relationship to a higher level.” —David, 28

“Every so often, my in-laws and I will get into an argument. But from the very first one, my wife has always respectfully defended me, and this made me want to be with her forever. She loves her parents and values their opinions, of course, and she and I don’t always see eye to eye. Yet no matter what the issue is, she still lets her family know that she’s sticking by me. This is a big thing for guys. I know it sounds ridiculous, but men tend to see themselves as misunderstood lone wolves.”-Alan, 30

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 5: She Wants Him to Be the Best Man He Can Be

Men don’t secretly want their girlfriends to bark orders at them like a drill sergeant. It’s more about helping him reach his potential by actively supporting his goals, even pushing him a teensy bit so he can succeed in whatever he does.

“Young guys tend to try to get away with as little as possible, and a lot of women let them, thinking that it would be out of line to challenge their man,” says Harley. “But a man admires a woman who encourages him to shape up and toe the line … as long as she has his best interests in mind and isn’t trying to mold him.”

This also means calling his bluff and not letting him get away with slacking off. “Even though it might seem like tough love at the time, she helps him achieve and accomplish things, and deep down he appreciates her for that,” says Harley.

“Before we got engaged, the woman who is now my fiancé told me that she thought I was drinking too much, working too hard, and not taking care of myself. Ouch. But when I actually took in what she said, I knew that she was right and she was looking out for me. No other girlfriend had ever been so honest.” —Ryan, 29

“I wasn’t on speaking terms with my father for years, and when I told my girlfriend this and that I just didn’t care about having a relationship with him anymore, she didn’t nod sympathetically. She made me call him and work things out because she knew I’d eventually regret it if I didn’t. She had the guts to disagree with me about something most women wouldn’t want to get involved in.” —Shawn, 31

Referenced article here: http://on.msn.com/aoQVnG