By Whitney Baker

Fans of ABC’s General Hospital recognize Jen Lilley as the most recent actress to step into the very fashionable shoes of the sassy, Maxie Jones.  In addition to her role in the world of daytime soap operas, Lilley also appears on MTV’s hidden camera romance show Disaster Date and plays a supporting role in the Academy Award-winning film The Artist.   Her diverse acting resume, coupled with her family history (her parents are both marriage counselors), makes her a valuable source of advice for all questions related to relationships. …Don’t miss the rest! Click here for more.

Country star Jake Owen’s proposal to girlfriend Lacy Buchanan was a total surprise, even to Owen himself.  According to People, Owen spontaneously decided to bring his fiancé on stage at the Citrus Bowl and proposed while serenading her.   Without a ring, but with plenty of hugs and kisses, Buchanan said “yes.”  Owen was so happy about getting engaged on the same stage he graduated on at Vera Beach High, that he tweeted, “I’m a happy man.  Life is complete.”

What are some unique ways to propose?

…Don’t go anywhere. Click here for more!

By Ricky Peterson

Everyone wants to have a great long-term relationship that keeps on getting better, but it simply won’t happen without some effort on the part of both partners. Making a stable relationship and love work isn’t always easy though, as we see many famous couples going through their ups and downs in public via celebrity news and gossip…and it’s no different for us regular folk. That being said, here are four pieces of love advice (with help from some of our favorite celebrity couples!) that we can all use to make our relationships stronger.

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By Daniela Agurcia

It’s only expected for the next step in your relationship to be marriage after years of being committed together, right?  However, sometimes boyfriends evade the big question and you end up waiting for, well, nothing.  Even if they do plan to spend the rest of their lives with you, they tend to forget that if you’re left hanging for too long, you’ll move on to find someone who’s ready to get serious.  But most of the time, it really isn’t your fault.  Here are some reasons why your boyfriend may be hopping around the big question:

…want the rest? Click here for more.

By Amy Osmond Cook, Ph.D.

If any of you saw the Hunger Games recently, you were in for a bloodbath–a very entertaining, very well produced bloodbath.  I’m a huge fan of Suzanne Collins, and the movie was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.  But while I cheered for Katniss, cursed the gamekeeper, and threw popcorn at President Snow, I couldn’t help but notice that some of the lessons of Hunger Games could also be applied to relationships:

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

By Ryan Boyle

Whether it’s the prank of all pranks, or a cute and funny trick you play on your better half, taking part in some April Fools Day shenanigans is a great way to reacquaint your partner with your playful side.  A couple harmless escapades can be exactly what you need to create those memorable laughs that help keep your relationship strong.  If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, Cupid is here to help.  Here are five tricks that are sure to get a rise out of your mate:

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By Ryan Boyle

For a lot of men and women, the idea of balancing a lifestyle dedicated to both work and love can be downright stressful.  Mrs. United States winner, Shannon Ford, filled us in on living the life of a beauty queen as well as a newlywed and how she makes time to enjoy both. Ford, a veteran of beauty pageants since she was 18 years old, is no doubt a busy woman.  “I’m traveling a lot,” she said, “from Daytona to Texas to St. Petersburg.  It’s fun, but it can be tiring as well.”

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By Jemima Lopez

He lives in L.A, and she lives in London. While having a trans-Atlantic relationship is tough, if there’s anything British celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham prove, it’s that long-distance relationships can work. Married for 12 years, they just welcomed their fourth child. Their American counterparts, Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, have made it work too. Despite separation between films, they’ve managed to stay in a committed relationship for seven years, and they share six children.

But non-celebrities have remote relationships too. In fact, more than 3.5 million Americans were in a long-distance relationship in 2005, according to the latest statistics. With the development of new technology, that number is most likely on the rise. While us common folks can’t afford to jet set or send extravagant gifts, that doesn’t mean our long-distance relationship can’t last just as long. Use this love advice to help maintain your relationship and love like the stars:

…want the rest? Click here for more.

By Rachel Sussman

When it comes to celebrity breakups, many of us spend plenty of time analyzing their trials and tribulations.  We identify on many levels with our favorite Hollywood couples by getting inspired by their romances and mourning their losses.  In fact, we even tend to fear that the same types of failures they experience can happen within our relationships as well.

Whether you’re a celebrity or not, there are numerous ingredients which go into determining whether a connection exists between two people.  Love, attraction and pheromones are key components, but there are many others that dictate the choices we make as well, and they happen from the very beginning of our lives.  It’s important to remember that genetic/biological, social/cultural, and psychological issues determined your partner selection, romance and grieving period.  In other words, they’re part of your personal “love map.”  Through interpreting your love map, you will understand how important events from your past shaped your individual personality development and self-esteem, which directly correlates to your relationship behavior.

Here are two celebrity examples where creating a love map would be invaluable:

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

By Marianne Beach, GalTime

We’ve all heard the infamous break-up line:  “It’s not you, it’s me!”  But what if it really is you that’s been sabotaging your relationship– without even knowing it?

Psychiatrist Rebecca Gladding, MD, co-author of “You are Not Your Brain:  The 4-Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life,” offers us the top five bad relationship habits we slip into…and how to break them once and for all.

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

By Melissa Caballero

You’ve done the unthinkable.  You’ve cheated.  But whether it was a one-night stand or an ongoing affair, something has to be done.  You must find the courage to confront yourself, your life and your relationship.  The aftermath of cheating is not an easy obstacle to maneuver through, but you are not alone.  Reaching deep within can reveal many of the answers to those heart-wrenching questions that are most likely burdening your conscious.  Whether you’re a celebrity couple overcoming the adversity of the paparazzi exposing your cheating-capades or an everyday couple trying to find your way, here are a few tips on how to handle your embittered situation:

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

By Whitney Baker

Thanks to the fairy tales that we heard as little girls, many women are searching for their Prince Charming, their perfect match.  In our hearts, we believe that there is one man for each of us — our soul mate.  Well, ladies, listen up!  In her book, The Soul Mate Myth, Jean Cirillo, PhD, offers a new perspective on finding love, one filled with realistic expectations and attainable possibilities.  Through her three-step program, she teaches women how to overcome their fears and fantasies so they can see love with fresh eyes and an open heart. …Don’t miss the rest! Click here for more.

By SMF Marcus Osborne for GalTime

That headline should not be read as a knock against the X chromosome set.  Consider it more an objective observation.  Yes, I said, “objective.”  Hey, being a guy doesn’t kill my ability to see a situation fairly.  As a matter of fact, as I think more about this topic, I’m thinking mine may be the lone voice of impartiality here.

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By Kate Harrison

Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year to propose.  As this special day approaches, men across the country are struggling to find the best way to pop the question.  Take a load off boys, because Green Bride Guide eco-wedding expert Kate Harrison has some engaging ideas to inspire your inner romantic while reducing your impact on the earth.

“For a great proposal, the key is to be both thoughtful and creative,” says Harrison.  “Like your wedding day, your proposal should be all about her, so put her first in every way and you can’t go wrong.”

…For more, click here.

This post is sponsored by Renee Lee.

If you are frustrated with dating, or wondering why you aren’t getting into a relationship, or meeting “the one,” this 45-minute session will give you some clarity.  Renee will look into your dating/relationship past, and assess areas of improvement.  You will gain insight on what you are currently doing, and what you can improve on.  You also will be screened for current matches in our database we can set you up with.  This is a great opportunity to come in confused, and potentially leave with a lead for the person of a lifetime!

Renee has a Masters Degree in Counseling from New York University’s Department of Applied Psychology.  She also received her Bachelor of Science from NYU in Communication, where she did a specialization in interpersonal relations, and focuses on non-verbal communication, conflict resolution, and public speaking.  With ten years of experience under her belt, Renee Lee has been featured in numerous publications.

For more information on Renee Lee and her practices, visit www.datingdefined.com.

Giveaway Alert: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter before February 29, and you will automatically be entered to win a free 45-minute consultation with NYC matchmaker, Renee Lee.

This giveaway is now closed.

Although Jennifer Fritsch was eliminated during the rose ceremony last week by The Bachelor‘s Ben Flajnik, she isn’t holding it against him.  That said, she is rooting for all the final girls but one, and that’s front-runner Courtney.  Fritsch claims to no longer be bitter towards Flajnik for his surprising elimination, but says that Courtney is not the girl for him.  She believes the skinny-dipping model is in it for her career, and she doubts that she even has feelings for Flajnik.  In her opinion, Courtney is as bad of a person as she’s portrayed to be on the show. In an interview with People, Fritsch said she would advise The Bachelor to “run for the hills” when it comes to this contestant.

How do you know when to take your friend’s relationship advice seriously?

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

By Ché Blackwood

Super Bowl Sunday is in just a couple of days, so it’s time to start prepping for the big day! This event is synonymous with snacks, tackles, and fun. Not to mention, it’s a great way to get hyped with your honey or engage in a little friendly competition with your pals. Fuel your partner’s appetite by whipping up their favorite dips and other game-day treats — it’ll be love at first bite. Below, you’ll find Cupid’s dating advice on ways to make the most of the biggest sporting event of the season.
… On the edge of your seat? Click here for more.

By Jennifer A. Powell-Lunder, Psy.D., GalTime.com

A few days ago a guy I was friendly with in college changed his status from ‘single’ to ‘in a relationship.’  The flurry of speculative phone calls that followed reached epic proportions.  “I didn’t even know he was divorced,” cried one friend.  “Who would marry him?,” asked his ex-girlfriend from college.

There were a couple of real ironic things about this surge of interest; first, it reconnected me with college friends I had not spoken to in a while.  As you can imagine, the conjecture-laden conversation turned from hypothesis about him, to catch-up about us.  Secondly, while this gentleman was a good friend in college, time and distance weakened the bond between us.  In reality, none of my friends really spoke with him except through Facebook and even then contact was indirect (i.e. an occasional ‘Like’ regarding a posting he’d made).

…want the rest? Click here for more.

By Steven Zangrillo

With the national divorce rate spiking like a batch of Twisted Tea, it’s no wonder that we’ve seen a renewed interest in pre-nuptial agreements.  More than ever, these agreements have become an integral part of the arrangements a couple will make before tying the knot.  Between high profile splits like the Kardashian catastrophe to the everyday scenarios of your neighbors down the block, the specter of divorce knows no singular demographic.  As your relationship nears towards the ever-ominous edge that teeters between “dating” and “marriage,” you’ll probably be in need of a little perspective.

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Russell Brand is full of surprises.  After filing divorce from Katy Perry, Brand has decided to do what celebrities do best after a break-up: write a feel-for-all book.  According to UsMagazine.com, Brand will reveal all the details of his marriage with Perry  in a memoir.  A friend of Perry said, “Katy is insulted and feels betrayed that Russell has treated her so poorly.  She will never forgive him.  Ever.”

What do you do if your ex airs details of your failed relationship?

…Click here to read more.

By Tanni Deb

When you’re struggling in an unfulfilling partnership with someone you love, you may not know whether it’s best to move on or stay together as a couple.  Communications specialist and author, JAC Patrissi helps support women who are uncertain of their current relationship or are healing from a destructive love life with your partner.  Her latest book — co-written with author Lundy Bancroft — Should I Stay or Should I Go?: A Guide to Knowing if Your Relationship Can — and Should — be Saved, offers guidance to help women understand the path in which their relationship is going and how to move on — with or without their partners.

We had a chance to interview Patrissi about her book, and this is what she had to say:

What made you choose to write about this topic?

First, let me ask you if you personally know any women who have not asked the question, “Should I stay or should I go?”  Most women find meaning through satisfying connections with others.  We care about our partnerships, so we talk and read about them.
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By Jennifer Harrington

Popular social networking sites, such as Facebook, are great for many things.  Re-connecting with old classmates, checking out your best friend’s vacation photos and sharing the news that you had an exciting celebrity sighting, are some of the best reasons to log on.  But when it comes to your love life, is Facebook your friend… or foe?

Social media provides access to all of the key information about the object of your affection.  Status updates revealing their whereabouts, wall posts indicating updates from their friends and photos that can point to previous romantic partners, offer you a glimpse into their private world.  If relationships are about getting to know the other person better, it’s easy to see how checking your better half’s page many times per day might be justified.

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

By Malia Karlinsky, GalTime Love/Sex Editor

Sad news about one of Hollywood’s hottest couples–Russell Brand has filed for divorce from wife Katy Perry.  The news about the break-up does not come as a complete surprise.  Celebrity gossip columnists have been buzzing about a rift between pop music princess Katy Perry and her actor/comedian hubby Russell Brand.  Married for just 14 months, the often lovey-dovey pair reportedly spent this past Christmas miles apart (two-thousand miles to be exact).  Photos showed Perry splashing around on a Hawaiian beach (without her wedding ring), while Brand was also snapped on a beach– in Cornwall, England– sans Perry.

What broke this celeb couple up?  We may never know for sure, but Us Weekly recently reported that Brand’s lack of respect for Perry’s parents’ Christian beliefs as the cause of some tension.

If that’s the case– the problems of this glamourous newlywed couple are quite common.

…want to read more? Click here.