By Whitney Baker and Imani Brammer

Lady Gaga said it best: “Amy changed pop music forever, I remember knowing there was hope, and feeling not alone because of her.  She lived jazz, she lived the blues.”  With her soulful voice, peculiar demeanor and unruly habits, Amy Winehouse wowed audiences despite sometimes tripping on stage, throwing her shoes at people and struggling to stand up straight.  Her fans still loved her.  Now, with her music still echoing in their ears, they’re left with an all-too-obvious reminder that life is short.

At 3:54 pm on Saturday, July 23, 2011, 27-year-old jazz-influenced soul singer Winehouse was reported dead.  She was found in her London home, and a police source confirms that there were no sign of drugs near her body.  A toxicology report may take weeks to complete, and until then, the cause of her death is unclear.  Even so, Winehouse battled with a long-term — and well-known — drug addiction.  Suspicions are in the air as to whether her addiction to crack cocaine, heroin, alcohol, ecstasy, ketamine and cigarettes may have played a part in her untimely death.  Although she checked into rehabilitation centers at various times throughout her career, she believed that her illness was manic depression rather than alcohol or drug dependency.

…For more on Amy Winehouse, click here.

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are making the big move.  According to UsMagazine.com, the Horrible Bosses actress is looking for places to either rent or buy in the Beverly Hills area with new serious boyfriend, Justin Theroux. Sources close to the couple say that the relationship is going extremely well, and they hope to make it permanent.  As far as other recent big real estate purchases for the actress, Aniston just closed on an $8 Million Penthouse in New York’s West Village. She also purchased the one-bedroom apartment below it with plans to turn it into a duplex.

How do you know when you’re ready to move in with your partner?

…feel your pulse racing? Click here to read more.

According to People, Hugh Hefner is experiencing no hard feelings over Crystal Harris’ decision to call off their wedding. In an interview on ET, he announced that by not marrying his ex-fiance, he “missed a bullet.” The Playboy mogul declared that he’s better off single.  Reportedly, Harris dropped the bomb on him right before the wedding, not having given Hefner any clues to her change of heart. “I didn’t see any of this coming… If you’re having reservations about the person you’ve been with for two-and-a-half years, the logical thing is to sit down and talk about it,” said Hef.

What are some positive ways to look at a broken engagement?

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

Tiger Woods cheated, and it’s time that his ex-wife moves on.  For the first time after her recent divorce, Elin Nordegren is back on the scene, only this time, Woods isn’t by her side.  Nordegren has been spotted dating Jamie Dingman, a 31-year-old American financier.  Nordegren and Dingman were found on July 12, kissing and hugging in Sweden, as reported by People.  As of right now, there’s no stamp on their relationship, but who knows what the future may bring.

What are some ways to “go with the flow” in a relationship?

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

By Andrew Pryor

You’re sitting at your computer at work and you’ve had it up to “here” with the pile of papers sitting on your desk.  All you can think about is an afternoon escape.  After all, the work will still be there when you get back.  If you’re contemplating calling in sick or checking out early, double up with your partner so that you can really enjoy the day.  A vacation for two is much more fun than one.  Here are five ready-made reasons to hop the cubicle walls and make time for yourself and your loved one:

1. Celebrate a promotion: If you’ve just picked up a new title and a pay raise, what better way to celebrate than to spend some time off with someone you love?  He or she can accompany you to an early and fancy dinner date where you can toast your latest success.

2. Get an early start on happy hour: If you leave half an hour early, it should be five o’clock by the time you hit your favorite bar.  Meet your partner there and think back to the first time you bought him or her a drink.

Continue reading →

18 year-old Demi Lovato and 36 year-old Ryan Phillippe.  Could it be true?  Reportedly, Lovato has been hooking up with Reese Witherspoon’s ex-husband and the father of their two children. According to a UsMagazine.com source, it was “nothing serious.”

How do you keep a relationship casual?

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

Bridesmaids star Maya Rudolph and husband, director Paul Thomas Anderson, welcomed a baby boy into the world July 3rd, according to People. Rudolph kept the sex of her baby unknown until the day she popped. She said, “The exciting part is not knowing who’s coming, you have to wait nine months for a surprise, but then it’s a good payoff because it really is a surprise.” T he newborn, Jake, is home with his older sisters, Pearl and Lucille. The family is doing great, according to Rudolph’s rep.  You can check Rudolph out in her new role in Up All Night, which premieres this fall on NBC.

What are the advantages of keeping the sex of your unborn baby unknown?
…Want to read the rest? Click here.

It may come as no surprise to Real Housewives fans that Taylor and Russell Armstrong have called it quits.  After all, the Armstrong couple likened their marriage to a business agreement. The two were going through “huge martial problems related to finances,” an inside source reported to UsMagazine.com in May. Although they have a five-year-old daughter named Kennedy, they decided that the best decision would be to split. On Friday, they filed for divorce.

What are ways to work on your marriage before calling it quits?

…For more, click here.

By Mark Shields

Divorce can be a truly painful experience, and people deal with the aftermath in different ways. Some begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel quickly, while others continue to foster darkness and deeper feelings of pain and loss.  The key is to choose the path that leads you towards the light by keeping yourself active, staying close with friends, developing new relationships and becoming a healthier person mentally, physically and spiritually.

Stay Active

Once divorced, you may find you have much more time on your hands to participate in activities you’ve always wanted to do. Have you ever wanted to take a tennis lesson?  Now is the time to do it!   You might also consider joining an adventure group who experiences the wonders of the outdoors and who climbs, bikes, hikes or simply meanders through the paths and trails of nature.  There are organizations of all kinds that don’t necessarily call themselves ‘support’ groups, but just turn out to be supportive.  It’s a great way to meet new and interesting people and to get in touch with yourself.   Some other ideas include: book clubs, ballroom dancing and taking fitness classes at a gym.  No matter what your interest, do some research to find your niche.

Write

Writing is another way to exfoliate your pain.  Grab a leather journal, and begin a journey.   Write down everything you feel, think and dream without anyone looking over your shoulder.  There should be no one there to judge your; you’re just answering to yourself.  It’s a great way to cleanse your system of all of the hurt and pain you’ve recently experienced.

…For more ideas about how to deal with life after divorce, click here.

He’s the father of her twins and the man she decided to marry.  However, Jennifer Lopez may have been singing subliminal lyrics about marriage troubles between she and Marc Anthony on her album Love? The title alone questions the stability of their marriage, but to supplement that, in one of the songs on the album, One Love, which Lopez co-wrote, the singer names off three previous loves before she gets to “number four.”  This one “sang to me, but I’m not sure, so worn out, but … made me wanna try once more,” she sings.  According to People, Lopez may be referring to her previous romances between Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Chris Judd and Ben Affleck, followed by “number four,” who is presumably Marc Anthony.

What are some ways to get your pain out in order to heal after a breakup?

…that’s not all! Click here to read more.

Betty White recently received a flattering invitation, following similar invitations to Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake.   Sgt. Ray Lewis aked the 89-year-old former Golden Girls star to be his date to the Marine Corps Ball in a YouTube video, according to People.  “She’s funny, she’s sweet, she’s mature. She’s the all-around perfect woman,” he says. “I really think we’d have a good time. I’m fun, you know. I think I can make her laugh. I think she can make me laugh. I think we can laugh together.   So, call me!”  Unfortunately, White had to turn the offer down because of work. “I am deeply flattered and truly appreciate the invitation,” White said in a statement to Access Hollywood.  “As everyone knows I love a man in uniform, but unfortunately I cannot accept, as I will be taping an episode of Hot In Cleveland.”

If you’re busy and can’t go on a date, how do you let someone down gracefully?

…want the rest? Click here for more.

It looks like Nicole Scherzinger’s heart is racing!  Rumors started swirling that the couple was engaged after Nicole’s father spoke to the UK’s Mail Sunday. According to RadarOnline, Scherzinger’s father, Alfonso, said that Hamilton is “a really nice guy, real-down-to-earth. My family all like him. The good spirit is there,” which got misinterpreted as Alfonso announcing his daughters engagement but the rumor is false. The couple has been together for 4 years. Scherzinger, a former Pussycat Doll, will now be sitting alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid on the judging panel for The X Factor premiering this September on FOX.

What do you do if your parents don’t like the person you want to marry?
…Want to see the rest? Click here.

By Melissa Caballero and Krissy Dolor

Have you ever had that aching suspicion that your partner was cheating on you?  You find yourself pacing back and forth worrying where they are, who they’re with and not knowing what to do?  Maybe you start beating yourself up even though it’s not your fault. The Cheat Sheet by Rea Frey and Stephany Alexander can help ease your nerves and give you the tools to find out for yourself if your partner really is bunking up with someone else.  Stephany Alexander is an infidelity expert and founder of WomanSavers.com, a forum for women to speak to each other about men, abuse and infidelity. The Cheat Sheet will help guide you and give you the advice you need to find out if your man is being unfaithful.  We had the opportunity to speak with Stephany to find out more about this common issue.  Here’s what she had to say:

What was the inspiration behind WomanSavers.com?

I started WomanSavers.com in 2002, after getting out of a bad relationship. I’ve had a history of abuse throughout my life. I was abused as a child and experienced date rape as a young adult. I even had to file a restraining order against one of my boyfriends who became physically violent with me. I tried online dating and when I signed up for all the matchmaking websites, I experienced a lot of bad dates  I thought I knew what I was doing and it was just a numbers game. However, I found that there were a lot of men who were misrepresenting themselves on the Internet. I became very bitter after all of this. Then one day I was walking along the street and an idea just hit me like lightning. The only way women are going to survive in the future is by sharing information with each other. Now, they have an open forum to speak to other women about men.

…don’t miss the rest. Click here for more.

By Melissa Tierney

We aren’t the only one’s trying to hit the beach this season to escape the hot summer heat.  Sizzling celebrity pairs can be spotted in Miami, Los Angeles and the Hamptons, soaking up some rays and having fun in the sand.  If you’re lucky, you may spot your favorite duo while you’re taking an ocean dip.  Here are a few of the celebrity beach bum couples that we’d love to join at the beach:

Continue reading →

Sure, his marriage with Jennifer Lopez fell by the wayside, but Marc Anthony isn’t showing signs that it’s slowing him down.  The pop star played through his set list of romantic salsa tunes while flirting and blowing kisses the the ladies in attendance, calling one in particular, “Mamacita” — hot mama.  “They’re saying I’m single,” Anthony said jokingly to his crowd at Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park in Bogotá Saturday night.  Despite his divorce, Anthony and Lopez still plan to go forward with their show Q’Viva, which will begin to film in the fall, according to People.

Does flirting with the opposite sex help relieve the pain of a break-up?

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

How exciting!  Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are embarking on parenthood.   The married couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on Sunday, and they’re currently making adjustments to venture into parenting.  Trump told People,  “We have our work cut out for us to ensure that our daughter is grounded and not spoiled.”

What are some ways to change your lifestyle for the arrival of a first child?

…there’s more after the jump. Click here.

We were contacted about a very cool new book called 50 First Worst Dates.  You know the one.  The kind where his loving and unassuming wife calls in the middle of your dinner even though he said he was never married. Or, the one where he tells you that he’s secretly in love with your best friend and would like you to make an introduction.  Yes, these are real stories!

Maybe it was that first date with a guy who looked 26 in his online profile, but was actually 60.  A first date that was so bad, that staying in and cleaning your bathroom would have been more fun.  You know the pain we’re talking about.

Experienced “worst” daters and first-time authors Rachel Kapor and Andrew Hahn are developing a new book, 50 First Worst Dates and they’re looking for your stories.  Feel free to share your story by submitting the brief details of that first date gone wrong on their website.   If your story is selected you’ll will receive $150.
Just think, some cold hard cash might erase the memory of that traumatizing experience, especially when you’re walking around with a new pair of shoes.

50 First Worst Dates will highlight the greatest romantic blunders of all time, provide an ego boost for the soul and be a reminder to all singles that their dating life could be much worse.

Submit your story now!

Talk about being patriotic!  What better way to give back to our armed forces than by going on a date with a Marine?  Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake are doing just that, reports UsMagazine.com.  Kunis, 27, was invited by Sgt. Scott Moore to the Marine Corps Ball in Greenville, NC and Timberlake, 30, was invited by Corporal Kelsey De Santis to the Marine Corps Ball right outside of Washington D.C.  The two are both planning to attend the November balls with their dates.  Timberlake said he wasn’t doing it as a favor, but because, “I don’t ever get asked out ever!  So I was very flattered by that.”

How do you let someone you’re not interested in down gently?

…we’re not done! Click here to read more.

By Terri Orbuch PhD

Adapted from her book, “5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great”

Congratulations! You’ve survived one of the most difficult and stressful events in your relationship: the wedding.  Now the two of you are settling in for the long haul. If you’re like the vast majority of newlyweds, the next 6-12 months will be some of your happiest.  Relationship researchers call this “the honeymoon period,” and it’s characterized by a sense of newness and possibility.

But how can you keep that freshness and optimism going after the initial glow wears off?   Here are five post-wedding tips that have been shown to build and strengthen marriage bonds, derived from my landmark Early Years of Marriage (EYM) study:

Don’t hide anything when it comes to money.

When happy couples in the EYM study were asked if their spouses were completely open and honest about money, their answers differed significantly from those of the unhappy couples in the study.  Nearly 8 out of 10 happy couples said they “never” feel their spouse tells them things that aren’t completely true about money, compared with only 54% of the other couples.  The take-away: Money secrets and lies erode marital happiness.

…Want more tips from Dr. Orbuch? Click here.

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, and husband, Marc Anthony, also a singer and actor, have split after seven years of marriage, according to People. “We have decided to end our marriage,” they said in a joint statement.  Lopez, 41, and Anthony, 42, married in June 2004 in a private ceremony at Lopez’s Beverly Hills home.  They have 3-year-old twins, Max and Emme.

How do you announce your divorce to family and friends?

…For more, click here.

By Jennifer Harrington

This week on The Bachelorette, Ashley has narrowed the pool to four men for the hometown dates.  Coming up are visits with the families of Constantine, Ames, Ben and J.P. Let’s see what it was like to meet the in-laws:

First up was food-lover, Constantine and a visit to his family in Cumming, GA.  After a cozy chat by a lake, Ashley and her man ventured off to his Italian restaurant.  Yes, Greek heritage with an Italian restaurant-interesting combo.  Anyway, the heat was certainly on in the kitchen as the lovebirds cooked up some treats.  Following their delicious quality time the pair went to meet Constantine’s extremely close-knit family.  All season, we’ve known Constantine was a family man, and after his hometown date we can now see why. Ashley not only met his immediate family but the couple was surprised when the doorbell rang and in walked about 20 more extended family members to greet Constantine for a Welcome Back Greek-style dance party.  Despite the good times and cool dance moves, Constantine’s parents emphasized over and over that love takes time.  This seemed to be the theme of the night from most of the families.

…To find out more, click here.

When Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey tied the knot on Friday in a tropical paradise surrounded by their nearest and dearest, their guests had no idea what to expect.  According to People, their wedding invitations came in the form of a place ticket with the only instructions being to dress “island chic.”  The day of the ceremony, the lucky guests were swept off to a secret island location.   On July 30th, viewers everywhere will also get to witness this special ceremony at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC as part of the Nick & Vanessa’s Dream Wedding special.

What are some creative wedding themes?

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

By Imani Brammer

Surrounded by dust tracks and equipped with camouflage and war gear in the middle of Afghanistan, there is a Mila Kunis fan.  This Kunis fan likes Mila so much, that he set aside time from his Marine Corps schedule to make a video asking Kunis to the Marine Corps Ball, November 18, in Greenville North Carolina.  This fan goes by the name of Scott Moore … and that’s Sergeant Scott Moore to us.

It turns out that the Friends With Benefits star had no idea what was going on until the topic was introduced to her during an interview with Fox.  When Fox broke the news to her, though she was shocked, she automatically said “yes,” after a bit of persuasion from her co-star, Justin Timberlake.  Continue reading →

New hot couple alert!  Ryan Reynolds, who split from ex-wife Scarlett Johansen last December, has been dating Charlize Theron for months, according to UsMagazine.com.  An insider said, “They’re both career-focused, but not in a crazy way.”  Could Reynolds have found his perfect match?

What do you do if your partner’s career focus is becoming too obsessive?

…Have we piqued your interest? Click here for more.