Dr. Greg Smalley was fortunate to be raised in a loving family who believed in the sanctity of marriage. From a very young age, he attended marriage conferences held by his father, Dr. Gary Smalley. This foundation ultimately led to his own passion and to the marriage counselor and author that he is today. In his latest book Fight Your Way to a Better Marriage: How Conflict Can Take You to Deeper Levels of Intimacy, Dr. Smalley explains what it means for a relationship to benefit from the opportunities that fighting presents and how a marriage can succeed because of disagreement. We had the chance to interview Dr. Smalley and hear what he had to say about his upbringing and how it influenced his life.
Hilary Duff, Mila Kunis and Bridgit Mendler. Photo: Line Knitwear
This post is sponsored by Line Knitwear.
By Jennifer Ross
Every woman knows just how hectic life can be and sometimes your personal style can fall through the cracks along the way while you are working and running around playing “Super” mom.
Why not take some fashion advice from a few sensible and stylish celebrities and wear outfits that easily transition from work to play? Hilary Duff, Mila Kunis and Bridgit Mendler want clothing that is both simple and luxurious. The Quantum Sweater at www.MadisonLosAngeles.com, made by Line Knitwear, does just the trick, updating your wardrobe and keeping you in style. This sweater is soft, light and comfortable. It’s so fashionable that not even a necklace or bracelet is needed to accessorize it. What’s really great is that this color-blocking top also changes with the seasons taking you from spring to summer and even into fall!
After months of begging your girlfriend to help make it happen, you finally score a date with the tall, handsome coworker you’ve been eyeing in her office. He finally takes notice and asks you out on an incredibly romantic date to a fantastic Italian restaurant. The only problem is that every meal on the menu features your worst enemy: garlic. How are you supposed to impress this guy when bad breath is getting in the way?
While this scenario may be your worst nightmare, there’s an easy solution. Binaca breath fresheners, including Breath Drops and AEROblasts Breath Spray, will save the day in sticky situations just like this one. After all, Binaca breath fresheners are the only fresheners that have passed the “kissalicious” test. These products kill the germs that cause bad breath and dissolve lingering aftertastes instantly to make you ready for that kiss at the end of the night.
Ladies, let’s face it. No matter what frustrating gender-based challenges still exist in this male-dominated world, women have more rights and freedoms than ever before, thanks to the hard work of our ancestors. That is not to say that everything is perfect; such a concept may never exist. However, in this day and age, it is finally possible to have your cake and eat it too. We are better women, better lovers and better mothers. If history has any knowledge of our future, chances are, we are only going to get better with time.
One woman familiar with the concept of having it all is Nicki Minaj. With her creative musical abilities, iconic sense of style and star originality, she set out to succeed in the male-dominated hip hop world – and has done an incredible job thus far. Minaj continually pushes through boundaries to achieve her extraordinary vision, something that her millions of Barbz (her fans’ nickname) love to emulate. Determined to express herself through various mediums, she now applies her passion for life to the world of fragrance.
You’re out one Thursday evening getting a drink with the girls after work when you make eye contact with a 6’2 Ryan Reynolds look-alike who is staring at you from across the bar. The good news: Blake Lively is nowhere in site! You really want to make the first move and approach him but your friends persuade you to stay put. Before you even have time to decide what to do, you notice that he is passing the DJ booth and making his way towards the dimly lit corner where you’re standing. He kindly introduces himself and as the two of you chat, your mind makes a mental note about him. He’s nice, he’s funny, he’s hot and yes, he’s single. The night is going well! You definitely want to see him again, but there’s one catch: you don’t feel comfortable giving him your cell phone number. You’ve had some pretty bad experiences giving out your personal information to guys. What do you do?
You’re in luck! Now you can have a second, private phone line that rings to your cell phone, eliminating the need to worry about losing your information – or the guy – ever again. MyAKA is a product that offers you a second cell phone number in your local area code, allowing two mobile numbers on one phone. The second phone number works just like your primary cell phone number. It includes full voice and text message support in the United States and Canada, easy number blocking and unblocking, and a Do Not Disturb feature that sends calls to voice mail and stores text messages when enabled. Your assigned phone number from MyAKA is not linked to your user information in any way. So unlike forwarding services, your primary phone number is protected on incoming and outgoing calls. Best of all, there are no apps, downloads or Internet required. All features are controlled via text message. Hesitant about giving it a whirl? MyAKA is giving you a seven-day free trial.
A 7 Day FREE Trial?! What’s the catch? None. With this special offer for CupidsPulse.com readers, you can enjoy seven worry-free days of flirting with MyAKA without even entering your credit card! And when you decide to keep the service, you can upgrade your number in two easy steps at the MyAKA site. It’s as simple as that to date safely this fall. Sign-up at MyAKA.com today for a fun second mobile number with no strings attached.
It’s Friday! You’ve had a long week and cannot wait to get home to snuggle up with your partner and enjoy the weekend. Then you remember…it’s your anniversary, his birthday, Father’s day or some other special moment. You have so many errands to run. You need to pick up the dry cleaning, drop off a package at the post office and complete the week’s grocery shopping before you can even think about what to buy your significant other. Will there ever be enough time in the day to do it all?
Luckily, you can cut down on the errand time by using Amazon.com. The site offers gift cards to purchase just about anything with card designs for virtually any occasion. You can even upload your own photo and schedule delivery for up to one year in advance, eliminating any last-minute stress!
Alyson Hannigan wearing the Script Name Charm. Photo: Isabelle Grace Jewelry.
This post is sponsored by Isabelle Grace Jewelry.
By Sarah Ribeiro
Being a woman can be tough. If you’re climbing the corporate ladder, then your days are spent at the office, always trying to stay one step ahead. Or if you’re a mom, you’re dealing with busy days and late nights. And what about the women who juggle a career while raising their kids? All that work makes you tired and irritable – and leaves you no time for your relationship.
It’s the weekend and you’re ready to hit the town in style! But…what do you wear? You comb through your favorite magazines trying to find inspiration to no avail. It’s 6:00pm, you turn on the music and all you hear is talk radio. You could use a cocktail but want something unique and different to start the weekend off right. What’s a girl to do? Don’t just sit there sulking. It’s time to get your BFFs together and start the party right with Hpnotiq’s “Primp & Prep” website. The site has everything you need to look and feel just like your favorite celebrity before you hit the town!
Fashion: If you need fashion inspiration there is style advice and beauty tips.
Music: You can even turn on the Pandora music player and listen to your favorite songs while getting ready!
Drink Recipes and Cocktails: You will find great at home drink recipes and cocktails. I love that you can easily find a new drink to switch it up from the ordinary rum and coke. They offer ideas for new twists on sangria, mojitos, margaritas, and other creative blends. You can even upload your own concoctions for others to try through the website or on twitter @HPNOTIQ. There’s something for everyone. Now your night can be better than ever with the Primp and Prep site. It’s so great you’ll probably want to use it during the work week! So get ready to let your hair down, music up!
But wait…there’s more! Even your guy friends can get in on the action (if you let them). There are tips on how to pick up the hottie across the bar; what to say, and what to do.
The site just launched in September…we can’t wait to Primp and Prep with the Hpnotiq site this weekend!
Hpnotiq is a trendy and fun brand that all women can enjoy with their friends. The vibe that the site gives off is fun and exciting, from the color choices to the stylish background. Just head on over and check it out for yourself dolls! But remember, you must be 21 years old to enter: http://www.hpnotiq.com
Maybe you’re one of those women who thinks guys aren’t paying attention to what you wear on a date. Or, perhaps you’re the type who always sacrifices comfort for the sake of fashion. After all, fashion and comfort couldn’t possibly go hand-in-hand, could they? Well, we just found a company that designs amazing shoes that seamlessly fuse both!
Tsubo, Japanese for “Pressure Point,” designs shoes that are fashion forward and extremely comfortable. Tsubo men’s shoes, women’s shoes and Tsubo sneakers combine fresh style with signature Pod technology, strategically placed cushioning at the foot’s pressure points that provide amazing comfort.
Jessica Massa, (Author of The Gaggle), Lori Bizzoco (Executive Editor, CupidsPulse.com), Twanna Hines (FunkyBrownChick.com) and Rebecca Weingard (Co-founder, The Gaggle) at Match.com's "Mix Up Your Dating Life" event. Photo: Single Edition
Last Friday, SingleEdition and Match.com hosted the “Mix Up Your Dating Life” event in NYC. There, Match.com representatives taught us how to find local singles, and — if you look closely enough — your perfect match. As a Match.com marriage success story, I was thrilled to attend.
After running around the office all day and standing for two hours to give a presentation to a new client, your new man calls and asks you to dinner. You embrace the chance to sit down, but after your meal, he suggests that you take a nice stroll around the block to get some fresh air. You don’t want to appear high-maintenance or out-of-shape for that matter, so while your feet cry in pain, you hold his hand and smile. After all, you really like this guy. But, then the unthinkable happens! You’re walking on the sidewalk and your shoe gets stuck in a crack, scuffing the heel of your expensive leather shoes. You can’t take it anymore and you begin to cry, your date now thinks you have some very big emotional issues. If only you had known about Foot Petals!
The dating world is an endless competition. You’re constantly up against crowds of girls launching themselves at the same guys as you. But worst of all, you’re up against yourself.
Last Wednesday, June 13, 2012, SingleEdition hosted a UStream broadcast with relationship coach Rori Raye about standing out, getting noticed and experiencing a real summer love.
Raye focuses on teaching you to have the relationship YOU want and gives some great tips on doing just that. Her leading piece of advice? “Actually fall in love with the way you are right now, even if you think you made mistakes.” Then, you will see that finding love is easy.
If you’ve been watching this season of ‘The Bachelorette,’ you’ve surely taken note of Emily Maynard’s fabulous wardrobe. Week after week, she continues to impress us with her easy sense of style, transitioning effortlessly from date to date. Whether she’s wearing jean shorts and a crochet sweater for a day by the water or a one-sleeve gown at the Rose Ceremony, one thing remains the same: her eye-popping jewelry. And now, CupidsPulse.com readers have the opportunity to win one of two Towne & Reese jewelry giveaways OR receive 15 PERCENT OFF the entire Towne & Reese collection, including the highly-anticipated Fall 2012 Collection, from Pea Pod Paper & Gifts. Use the discount code cupidspulse at checkout.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Send an email to cupid@cupidspulse.com, with ‘Towne and Reese Giveaway’ in the subject line, saying that you want to enter the contest. Once you do, you will automatically be entered to win either the Daisy Turquoise Ring or the Brooke Earrings in Crystal OR Mint Green! Both of these pieces were worn by Maynard on ‘The Bachelorette. Giveaway ends at 5pm on Monday, July 9th so act quick!
Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who signed up!
Ashley Grulich won the Daisy Turquoise Ring, and Elizabeth Gottier won the Brooke Earrings in either Mint Green or Crystal.
Towne & Reese Daisy Ring in Turquoise. Photo: Towne & Reese
Towne & Reese Brooke Earrings in Mint Green. Photo: Towne & Reese
Pea Pod Paper & Gifts, a one-stop shop for all things paper and gifts, is a company known for their quick turnaround time and impeccable customer service. In addition to selling personalized paper products, monogrammed gifts and party supplies, they also have a wide range of jewelry, including Towne & Reese items.
Your cute neighbor — who you’ve been crushing on since he moved in — finally asked you out on a date. He even planned the evening for you: an al fresco dinner at your favorite restaurant followed by a romantic stroll through a nearby park. Sounds perfect, right?
It is…until your allergies show up (uninvited, of course) and you can’t stop sneezing. Itchy eyes and a red nose is not how you hoped to end your night.
If only you would’ve learned from Brooke Burke-Charvet’s mistakes. Merck teamed up with the Dancing with the Stars host to create the video below, showing you how easy it is to live your life with your allergies instead of constantly battling against them.
Thanks to non-drowsy Claritin®, Burke-Charvet can survive her busy day — and you can make the most of your relationship with that new man in your life. The difference is clear.
Whether you’re video chatting with your loved one, or maybe just listening to music, these Lenovo M0520 speakers will ensure that you are hearing the best-quality sound possible. They can be used both on your laptop or at your desktop computer, and these compact, convenient speakers are portable. All you have to do is attach the convenient USB-powered connection with an energy saving function to whichever device you’re using at the time.
When traveling, no one wants to bring along his or her oversized, awkwardly shaped speakers, so the Lenovo speaker allows for easy storage, without taking up precious space in your suitcase. To even take the sound experience further, the speakers also attatch to smartphones and MP3/MP4 players, so you can bring them with you to the beach and play you and your partner’s favorite playlist. Their chic, elegant look makes them that much better than the competition too. Available in red or black, it suits both sexes, achieving the look of either classy or cute.
Have a Skype date with your man on the road? Great! These speakers will make it seem like he is in the room with you, as you hear his voice booming through the amps. Even if you’re not technologically savvy, setting up these speakers is a no-brainer. Just plug them into your computer and you’re ready to jam out or chat it up, while listening to the other person loud and clear- thanks to the four watts of power they work off of and the built-in amplifiers.
This product proves that bigger isn’t always better, so enjoy the top-notch sound at a reasonable cost, and reap the benefits at home or on the go.
Insiders tell us that Kutcher is in search of love (again). Could this be proof that he and Mila Kunis are just friends? You be the judge! We got our hands on Ashton Kutcher’s dating video below. We aren’t matchmakers but we know a thing or two about celebrity relationships and we are here to help him sort things out. In fact, there are several bachelors in this video that we could help. Let’s meet out bachelors right now:
What these Bachelors all have in common is that they all share a slight resemblance to Ashton Kutcher, no?
Darl is the over the top, vain diva. He shares what he’s looking for by telling us what makes him so special, and he loves his dog, Pupu. Is this Ashton Kutcher in this dating video? You tell us…
I never thought I’d see the day that Ashton Kutcher would need a dating video in order to get a girl, but hey, he is looking good on that motorcycle.
Check out Ashton’s profile on WorldWideLovers.com, let us know if you like what you see on the new dating site.
What do you think it would take to date Ashton Kutcher? What type of girl would he like? Tell us in the comments below.
Couple on vacation at the beach. Photo: mangostock / Bigstock.com
This post is sponsored by Perfect 10 Introductions.
Are you tired of the online dating process? Can’t seem to find the right woman (yes, ladies this one is geared toward our male audience!) or not sure where to find that special lady?
Well, Perfect 10 Introductions is a matchmaking service that makes finding a partner exciting. They also have a process that adjusts to your active lifestyle. Perfect 10 works hard to introduce you to the best of the best: beautiful, sexy, intelligent women from 21-60. This professional matchmaker service is responsible for making over a hundred marriages in the past 4 years and they have tons of positive testimonials from clients all over the world. What makes this service so unique is that they not only guarantee weekly in-person or over the phone check ins, their executive matchmakers will travel anywhere in the world to meet with you.
Instead of wasting your time cooking and working to manage your weight, let The Fresh Diet take care of your culinary needs while you manage your social calendar. The Fresh Diet can help you lose weight by offering fresh, healthy, calorie-controlled meals delivered daily straight to your door.
The Fresh Diet is the perfect way for you to slim down while giving you some free time to go on that date you’ve kept putting off or that girls night out you’ve been meaning to have with your BFFS.
When it comes to celebrities and their diamonds, nothing makes them glow better than when they’re set in precious platinum. Whether it be diamond rings, earrings or bracelets, platinum is a celebrity favorite. Ann Hathaway, Mila Kunis Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman and many more have worn it over and over again on the red carpet. In February, Jennifer Hudson who gave an emotional tribute to Whitney Houston at the Grammy’s, wore a radiant pair of platinum and onyx earrings by Neil Lane.
But, what happens if you don’t have a movie stars budget? Well, your are in luck because for the first time in recent history, the price of gold per ounce has risen higher than that of Platinum. So, now platinum is more attainable than ever before.
Three Key Reasons to Buy Platinum:
It’s eternal and has everlasting radiance
The durability and resistance to wear makes it the most secure and protective metal, which means your jewelry will be protected for a lifetime
Platinum does not change shape or wear away so precious stones are held firmly and securely.
If you are in a relationship and ring shopping, now is a great time to invest in this rare commodity. A women’s wedding band and engagement ring are two of the most sentimental and important pieces of jewelry that she will ever own. For a man, his wedding band needs to last a lifetime too. Platinum will stand the test of time and look just as good fifty years into the marriage as the first day its put on.
After watching this gorgeous gal on our favorite guilty pleasure, The Hills, Lauren Conrad not only became a household name but also a fashion trendsetter. She looks great no matter what the situation and that’s why this week she is our featured celebrity for her fabulous date looks! Lauren is perfect at using accessories to make her casual daytime outfits turn into fabulous fashion statements.
This first look (image above) is ideal for grabbing coffee with your guy. Lauren wears this neutral dress with some amazing accessories. Browns and neutrals look great with gold accessories, pink polish, and all the new spring colors.
This next look works for weekend brunch or a weekend away. Remember: men love when women look effortless, so even if you spend 45 minutes to do your messy bun and red nailpolish it’s the little things that take your outfit from a 2 to a 10!
GIVEAWAY ALERT: This week, we are giving away a piece from one of my favorite jewelry companies so that you can take some of these great looks home with you. No one does it better than Stella & Dot Jewelry and we are giving away one of my favorites that was recently featured in People magazine and worn by the upcoming ABC Season 8, Bachelorette, Emily Maynard.
For a chance to win the giveaway, just go to the this Facebook page, click on the ‘LIKE’ button and leave a comment saying you want to enter the giveaway and you are immediately entered! We will contact the winner on their Facebook page when the contest has finished. Don’t wait, this necklace is valued at $198.00, so ENTER NOW! Remember: click on the link here! If your interested in ordering this gorgeous necklace click here.
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!
We all know that fitness plays an integral role in how you feel both physically and mentally. So, chances are if you’re workouts aren’t up to par it’s probably impacting your social life. After all, no one wants to date a downer. Fortunately for you (and your future catch) there is a fun and creative fitness alternative that can be done in the comfort of your own home. You’ll be helping yourself to achieve both of these goals. It’s called Gaiam TV. How’s that for a full-body workout?
What is Gaiam TV?
It’s the first streaming video subscription designed to reach those interested in health, wellness, yoga, fitness and personal development. With over 2,000 titles, Gaiam is an essential “Netflix” for health, featuring content centered around wellness, yoga and fitness. Gaiam TV’s yoga and fitness studios are also flexible and simple to use. With Gaiam TV, viewers can easily search for videos, make playlists and preview selections. But the part we love the most is the fact that viewers can customize their workout for weight loss, total body sculpting or increased energy and narrow down their options based on level, style, instructor and amount of available time. And when they say instructors, they mean top instructors like Rodney Yee, Seane Corn, Jillian Michaels, Mari Winsor and Kathryn Budig. It’s like having a 24/7 personal trainer in your living room. This type of flexibility gives you the opportunity to exercise before, or even after your date if you choose. Hey, you could even invite your partner over and make a date out of working out with them and Gaiam TV. Gaiam TV’s entire library of award-winning videos is available anytime, anywhere. Streaming capabilities for Gaiam TV include personal computers, iPads and smartphones.
How Do I Enroll?
Gaiam TV offers a Free 10-day Trial, No Strings Attached!” If you want to continue with Gaiam, it’s only $9.95 per month and the subscription fee allows subscribers to stream unlimited content. There is no commitment, and members can cancel at anytime. So, if you are ready to start feeling good physically and mentally, give Gaiam a try. You may find yourself improving more than just your personal health in a few weeks.
As Valentine’s Day approaches many people scramble to find that perfect gift for their sweetheart. So, when another box of chocolates or long-stem roses simply won’t do, order that special woman in your life a personalized Calendar Key Pendant from Not Just Any Old Day.
The jewlery is handcrafted and made from the heart. The key can be custom plated in silver, gold, gun metal or antique bronze, and will bear whatever date is special to the wearer. This signature calendar “Datesake” charm pendant is a hip, stylish accessory that is not only beautiful, but will be a main conversation piece for years to come. Celebrities like Ben Affleck, Vern Troyer, Joe Jonas, and Scott Baio have all given gifts like this to show appreciation for the ones they love, now you can too.
This Valentine’s Day, don’t give the ordinary, give the extraordinary!
Check out the complete collection of Calendar Datesake jewelry at www.NotJustAnyOldDay.com.
This Valentine’s Day don’t mope around and feel bad for being alone. Celebrate being single! What better way is there to enjoy yourself than with beautiful red roses? Ode à la ROSE can help you do just that. Ode à la ROSE is a French-inspired, New York service that delivers what woman want for Valentine’s Day.
Ladies don’t deny yourself a day full of love just because you do not have a significant other. Include your girlfriends in the festivities as well by surprising them with a bouquet and let them know you love them for always being there for you. Don’t let anyone feel alone this year on Valentine’s Day. Ode à la ROSE is whimsical, romantic and fun – “Aren’t you the lucky one!?”
“What’s your sign?” is now a thing of the past. The phrase for 2012 and new trend is, “What’s your number?” Donetta Huffman specializes in personal readings, counseling her clients about their career paths, personal lives and business decisions. She is also highly skilled in romance and compatibility, helping individuals understand themselves and others on a much deeper level. Rather than using the stars for tarot cards and horoscopes, she uses numbers to tell all. The first of it’s kind, these cards can be utilized using only a birth date and given birth name. This method makes it extremely simple for everyone to calculate his or her own destiny.
For more information on Donetta Huffman and Numerology or to purchase one of her many services, visit www.semicirclenumerology.com.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter between February 1-14 and you will be automatically entered to win one free, 45-minute personal reading by Donetta Huffman, a professional Numerologist. She will also throw in her own set of Numerology cards to boot!
