By LaVonya Reeves

As a survivor of domestic violence, this is a subject close to my heart, and it leads me to asks questions like:

– What responsibility does Hollywood have for depicting healthy relationships?

– Do they accurately represent abusive relationships?

You’ve undoubtedly seen the headlines and read the stories, as there are cases upon cases of such violence. One relatively recent example has to do with the controversy surrounding Eminem and Rihanna’s music video for “Love The Way you Lie,” which depicts the emotional highs and lows, resentment and lies, and even physical altercations in one specific abusive relationship. In the video, actress Megan Fox and the former hobbit guy from Lost (Dominic Monaghan) show us an unhealthy relationships filled with sex, tender moments, fights, violence, and fire.

And let’s not forget the highly publicized domestic violence incident between R&B singers Rihanna and Chris Brown. Rihanna (whose unhealthy relationship with Chris Brown was made public when he hit her) also sings the chorus and is shown throughout the video.

…For more, click here.

Jennifer Lopez decided to open up about her decision to end her seven year marriage to Marc Anthony. According to People, she said she loved herself too much to continue living in the marriage.  Lopez told Vanity Fair, “It’s not that I didn’t love myself before.  Sometimes we don’t realize that we are compromising ourselves.  To understand that a person is not good for you, or that that person is not treating you in the right way, or that he is not doing the right thing for himself — if I stay, then I am not doing the right thing for me.”  Looks like she’s definitely come to terms with the split!

How do you know when it’s time to walk away from a marriage?

…the story continues here.

By Lori Bizzoco

When it comes to the topic of love, ABC’s The Bachelor, MTV’s Disaster Date, and Shot of Love with Tila Tequila certainly have that in common.  But, finding your amore isn’t the only thing that bonds these shows together.  They’ve also had the fortune of being produced by SallyAnn Salsano, a 37-year-old, fist-pumping dynamo, who is best known for creating the pop culture phenomenon, Jersey Shore.

…Don’t miss the rest! Read here for more.

One of Ashley Hebert’s final three suitors walked away during last week’s episode of The Bachelorette in Fiji.  Although it was clear that there was no spark between Constantine Tzortzis and Hebert, it was still shocking to find out that he wanted to call it quits.  The 30-year-old restaurant owner openly admitted to People in an exclusive Men Tell All taping that he wasn’t ready to get married to Herbert.  He said, “You either have a feeling or you don’t… My feelings were not strong enough at that point to justify sticking around and possibly going through with that next step of getting engaged.”  Tzortzis’ family fully supported his decision.

How do you know when your relationship is headed toward marriage?

…we’re just getting started. Click here for more.

Though actress Halle Berry was nowhere in sight, she allowed her beau Oliver Martinez to have his very own bonding time with her 3 -year old daughter, Nahla, according to UsMagazine.com.  Nahla is actually the daughter of Berry’s ex- husband, Gabriel Aubrey.  However, one would never guess with the way little Nahla and Martinez got along.  Their bonding time consisted of swinging across the sand and innocent little laughs and giggles amongst the scenery of a picturesque Malibu beach.  It’s safe to say that the two enjoyed each others’ company.

How do you know when to trust your new partner with you child?

…Don’t miss the rest! Click here to read more.

By Tanni Deb

Finding love doesn’t come easy, especially when you have unrealistic expectations of your partner. If you don’t believe me, just ask professional matchmaker Marla Martenson, the author of Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker.  Martenson gives readers an inside scoop of what really goes on behind the scenes when it comes to matchmaking.  Featuring real letters from clients where elite men search for supermodel look-alikes and women are on a quest to find a wealthy soul mate in one of the richest cities in California, the book is sure to shock and entertain readers.

Cupid had a chance to interview Martenson via phone about her book.  Take a look at what she had to say: …Interested in reading more? Click here.

By Melissa Tierney

Whether it’s running through Central Park or hitting the beach, celebrities everywhere are embracing the summertime and loving their naturally sun-kissed or porcelin skin.  But despite the fact that it’s now August the cast of Jersey Shore is getting their “GTL” on, these five celebrity couples are determined to love the skin they are in without fake and baking at a tanning salon.  If you think you’re pale and were considering getting a faux glow, think again!  Take a look at these five celebrity couples, because they’re sure to make you feel comfortable and confident in the skin you’re in!

1. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson: Having pale skin isn’t just perfectly acceptable in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight world, but in Hollywood as well.  Stars like these vamped up hotties are embracing the sun, but in a healthy way.  While traveling the world to promote their upcoming movie, Breaking Dawn Part I, Stewart and Pattinson have kept to their procelin roots even though the bronze trend is becoming a huge sensation.

2. Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied: This adorable couple has that new parents glow after welcoming their baby boy into the world this month.  Portman, who is known for her light skin, looks ravishing everywhere she goes without having that orange tint that so many celebrities are after this season.  Maybe it’s time for us to take a tip from Portman and realize a natural glow is much better than a fake one.  Fiance and baby daddy, Benjamin Millepied, seems to agree, as he’s adored Portman ever since they met on the set of their film, Black Swan.

…For more, click here.

After struggling through depression, a suicide attempt, and a relationship on the rocks, former American Idol star Fantasia Barrino has much to look forward to after all. According to People, on Sunday, Barrino announced that she’s expecting. She blazoned the good news for the first time during a charity concert in Jacksonville, Fla: “And I share this with you because I can relate to you.  And for a while, I walked around figuring out what they will say and what will they think about me. But now I tell you, I don’t live my life for folk.” Barrino made no mention of the father, but we know that she was seeing Antwaun Cook and that their affair was associated with Cook’s divorce from wife Paula Cook.

What are some ways to make a bang with your pregnancy announcement?

…on the edge of your seat? click here to read more.

For Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the children come first.  A source close to the family told People that the two were seen getting lunch at Casa Roma in Beverly Hills Saturday as well as indulging in a day of shopping in celebration for the former California governor’s 64th birthday.  A second source said that despite the divorce Shriver filed last month, the two will take care of their children first.  “Arnold and Maria will always come together when it comes to supporting and loving their children,” the source said.  Their son Christopher was released from the hospital Monday following a boogie boarding accident resulting in a collapsed lung and two broken bones.

How do you establish independence after a divorce?

…Interested in reading more? Click here.

By Brea Gunn

Okay, okay…I’ll admit it. I’m a reality TV junkie.  I LOVE watching the train wrecks, drama, and outright ridiculousness that has become entertainment. Sometimes, though, a show truly hits a chord.  I was watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians and stumbled upon the episode where Kris is pushing Kourtney and Scott to get married … But they don’t want to tie the knot.

This may seem strange to you, but it really irked me that their mom, Kris, was pushing the issue.  Now, I’m all about weddings.  It’s what I love to write about, talk about and blog about, but sometimes weddings are not the best thing.  Take Kourtney and Scott, for example. If her mom wants a commitment, why not have a commitment ceremony instead of a wedding?  You can still have the dress, the big bash and the DJ without ending up with a legally binding piece of paper.

…Don’t miss the rest! Click here to read more.

Here comes the bride! Amy Smart has been engaged to fiancé, hunky HGTV carpenter, Carter Oosterhouse, since April.  The couple was engaged after only a few months of dating.  According to Hollyscoop, the blonde bride-to-be is being very traditional, especially when it comes to the wedding dress.  Though the TV handyman has an impeccable eye for design and is very involved in the wedding planning process, Smart insists he not see the dress until the big day.  Aside from the detail of the dress, the two are all in this together as they prepare for their wedding on September 10^th in Northern Michigan.  “[He’s] very hands on,” said Smart, “He has definitely been my co-pilot with this.”

How do you get your beau involved in the wedding planning process?

…For more, click here.

It’s the year of royal weddings.  First Prince William and Kate Middleton walked down the aisle, and now Prince William’s cousin Zara Phillips has tied the knot with Mike Tindall, the captain of England’s rugby team. The wedding took place in Edinburgh this past Saturday, according to People, and it was absolutely breathtaking.  The wedding was straight out of a story book with a royal guest list and a fabulous reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s residence.  The pairmet through Prince Harry, who introduced the two at a bar in Sydney during the Rugby World Cup back in 2003.

What are some ways to tell your partner loves you for the right reasons?
…On the edge of your seat? Click here to read more.

Although an incarcerated Blake Fielder-Civil and Amy Winehouse split in 2009, that does not make him any less heartbroken over her death. According to UsMagazine.com, Blake’s now girlfriend Sarah Aspin relayed a message from Fielder-Civil: “I will never ever again feel the love I felt for her. Everybody who knew me and knew Amy knew the depth of our love. I can’t believe she’s dead.”   She also states that, “He just can’t take it in that she’s dead and he’ll never see her again. Blake rang me on Saturday after the prison authorities told him she’d died. I just couldn’t console him.  He was in total shock.” Employees at the Leeds’ Armley Jail where Blake is being held have been told to pay extra attention to him at this hard time in his life.

How do you rebuild after the death of a significant other?

…we know you’re intrigued. Click here to read more.

By Marianne Beach, GalTime.com

I’m admittedly a recovered relationship addict.  I went from relationship to relationship with little or no break in between.  Luckily, I was finally able to break that cycle and stay single for two years – before finally meeting my dream guy (and now husband).

But staying single for a serial monogamist is often easier said than done.  After all, you’re used to having a second opinion, someone to take to dinner parties and curl up with in bed.  An empty house can be frightening for someone addicted to love. Continue reading →

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom sealed the deal, and it’s almost time for Kim Kardashian and Khris Humphries to do the same.  On Saturday, the engaged couple took one step closer to taking their wedding vows at their bridal shower, according to E! Online.  With a classy touch of wine, party favors wrapped in small pink boxes, and an atmosphere of Kardashian fever, this bridal shower was everything, but a fail.  Guests did their part to keep it interesting as well.  As Kardashian and Humphries opened up their gifts, they were shocked to pull out a pair of fuzzy handcuffs!  Can we say classy, raunchy, and oh-so-Kardashian?

What are some ways to spice up a generic bridal shower?

…the story continues here.

After sharing 28 years in a relationship together and two children with girlfriend Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons finally mustered up the courage to get down on one knee. In Tuesday night’s finale of A&E’s reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Simmons told Tweed, “You’re the only friend I’ve got. You’re the only one I love … and you’re the only one I ever will love” before proposing. An insider recently revealed to People that the proposal scene was shot “several months ago” and that the couple’s relationship has been on the rocks ever since. The couple once described themselves as “happily unmarried” and we’re waiting to find out if there will be an “I do” to seal the deal.

What are the advantages of tying the knot over simply living together?

…Have we piqued your interest? Click here to read more.

Former Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick says she suffered a miscarriage and opened up to Father Albert on his show about it, according to RadarOnline.  Pivarnick was engaged to ex-boyfriend Dave Kovacs for a short time in February, and then she announced her pregnancy in April.  Pivarnick admits that Kovacs wasn’t the father, but instead it wasa random guy she was with who tormented her.  Pivarnick says the tabloids were constantly in her business and wouldn’t leave her alone about her partying habits.  “It was really hard and I went through a lot of stress and I ended up losing the baby.”

How do you help your partner come to terms with a miscarriage?

…On the edge of your seat? Click here to read more.

By Ashyia Hill

You’ve managed to make a romantic spark turn into a comfortable relationship, and now you want to bring your new partner around to meet your friends. Meeting your closest friends and family could be a make-or-break moment–especially if he doesn’t connect with them or even like them for that matter. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help make your lover feel more relaxed about the meet and greet. In fact, many of these tactics are ones that we see celebrities using in their relationships. So, let’s take a cue from a few famous couples with the following five steps:

“Do you, Jay Cutler, take Kristin Cavallari, as your lawful wedded wife?”  He doesn’t.  Cutler, former fiancé of reality star Cavallari, called off his engagement to Cavallari. The couple, who started dating only 10 months ago, had already thrown an engagement party with her friends.  “She got dumped,” a source told People. “She’s absolutely devastated. She can’t believe this is happening.”  Cavallari and Cutler were engaged in April, and planned for a spring wedding.

How do you deal with the embarrassment stemming from a broken engagement?

…Don’t miss the rest! Click here to read more.

Love is no longer in the air for actor James Franco and longtime girlfriend Ahna O’Reily. The two ended their six year relationship due to the long distance between them. Franco has been attending school in New York and just signed up to take classes at Yale while his girlfriend was waiting patiently for him back in L.A., according to the New York Press. It seems like Franco has too many passions and couldn’t focus on one of his biggest passions, his girlfriend. Franco is currently an actor, poet, director, teacher, student, author, painter, performance artist and producer … Talk about all over the place!

How do you help your partner focus his or her passions?

…Have we piqued your interest? Click here to read more.

With her one-year anniversary on July 31, Alicia Keys can’t complain about marriage.  “It’s so fly,” the singer said in an interview with People. “There’s something great about feeling at peace and ease with your partner and knowing you understand each other.  I really enjoy that friendship.”  Keys, who wed producer Swiz Beatz, real name Kaseem Dean, said the two are so similar it’s “mind blowing.”  In fact, the relationship is moving so well that Keys said she seeks fashion advice from her hubby.  “”I can say, ‘I’m not sure about this look for the BET Awards. What do you think?’ and I know that he will honestly tell me exactly what’s up,” she said.

When you get married, what are the perks?

…Don’t miss the rest! Click here to read more.

While Kris Humphries was celebrating his bachelor party at Lavo Las Vegas last Saturday night, fiancé Kim Kardashian was doing her best to deal with her humiliation during her penis-themed bachelorette party, organized by her sister and maid-of-honor, Khloé.  Kim was clad in a pink sash labeled “Tao Bachelorette” and an illuminated tiara.  She kept her sangfroid as a male stripper appeared at dinner to perform a strip tease.  According to People, she told her guests “My sisters are doing everything they can to embarrass me.”

What are some ways to playfully embarrass a bachelorette at her party?

…For more, click here.

By Ronnie Ann Ryan MBA, CCC  — The Dating Coach

Less than a week after  fiancée Crystal Harris called off her nuptials to Hugh Hefner, the scorned husband-to-be rebounded by publicly showcasing his new girlfriend— Shera Bechard, the November 2011 Playboy Playmate.  To me, that’s the definition of a true playboy, and it suits Hef perfectly. After all, he is the original founder of the Playboy brand.

When questioned by fans and hecklers about moving on so quickly, Hugh claimed that Shera is the remedy for his broken heart.  As a professional dating coach, one thing I know for sure is that the heart takes time to heal.  If Hefner was truly crushed by Harris leaving him, then he’s certainly in no position to have already moved on.  Whether you’re a man or a woman, a new love interest is not the antidote for heartbreak.  Finding someone else so quickly is not a healing strategy; it’s simply a rebound. In my opinion, the chances of things going well for Shera and Hugh are quite slim at best.

…Want some tips on how to heal after a breakup? Click here.

Though Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively, 23, recently returned to New York to film the show’s fifth season, that surelydidn’t keep her from spending quality time with her new beau, 35-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio, according to UsMagazine.com. The new couple was spotted shopping in Santa Barbara, California as Lively helped her honey pick out a fresh pair of Carrera X-cede shades on Wednesday. “They seemed very much in love,” a store rep said.

What are some everyday couples activities that will get you out and about?

…we’re just getting started. Click here for more.