Jon and Kate Gosselin with their kids. Photo: Michael Pilla/TLC
By Brea Gunn
One more Hollywood divorce has entered the official records. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ fairy tale marriage lasted less than three months. Say what you will, but I think that this whole mess could have been avoided if they made their relationship more private. When you live your life so publicly, I’m sure that it’s difficult to separate reality … from reality TV. Even so, it seems that many stars have been swept away with the ratings, only to realize that they aren’t as perfectly matched as they originally thought.
Why don’t we start at the beginning of the end? Here are seven former celebrity duos whose relationships may or may not have dissolved as a result of being featured on reality TV:
Couple enjoying a homecooked meal. Photo: pressmaster / Bigstock.com
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family, watch football and indulge in turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. As fun as the day may be, it can cause strain on your personal relationship if things aren’t planned out properly. The day will be extra special if you set aside time to work together as a team.
For example, if you’re preparing to host Thanksgiving with your partner, begin the process by sharing responsibilities and scheduling time together in advance. Pick a day where you will choose the turkey and get all of the accompaniments together. This will make things much easier and it will show your partner how committed you are to having a nice experience with them. Continue reading →
Couple searching the Internet. Photo: Maridav / Bigstock.
By Diamon Hall
Perhaps you reconnected with the girl who used to pinch you on the playground, the professor who inspired you to land your dream job or a long lost distant relative who lives in Germany. Whatever it may be, websites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, or MySpace are used in many different creative ways. In fact, it seems that people can hardly function without social media nowadays. It helps you keep in touch with family, friends and even people you wouldn’t normally communicate with if it weren’t for those sites. If social media can help you in the platonic aspects of your life, then it can certainly help your love life, whether that means meeting a new flame or enhancing a relationship you already have. Here are five ways social media can aid you in matters of the heart:
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Photo: Solarpix / PR Photos
On Tuesday night, Robert Pattinson revealed on The Late Show with David Letterman that he began acting to meet girls. According to UsMagazine.com, Pattinson’s role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight Saga not only attracted girlfriend Kristen Stewart to him, but it also swept many female fans all over the world. “It’s not just teenage girls,” he told Letterman. “It’s older [women] too. The older ones are far more passionate fans.”
What are some ways to get out and meet potential partners?
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. Photo: Brian Flannery/FlynetPictures.com
According to Kris Jenner, this past week hasn’t been easy for Kim Kardashian as she deals with her divorce from Kris Humphries. Jenner says that her daughter will eventually open up about the issues that led to her decision to file for divorce, but for now she’s still trying to sort things out. “She needs to do what she’s doing now and cry and figure it out,” Jenner tells Extra Magazine. “She’s just trying to follow her heart, and she’s going to be OK.” Recently, Kardashian flew to Minnesota to see Humphries because, “She really needed to talk to him,” said Jenner. She was there for less than 24 hours, and the two allegedly met with the pastor who performed their wedding ceremony to discuss what went wrong.
What are some ways to cope in the midst of a stressful divorce?
Are you looking for a happier love life? Happiness expert, author, life coach and TV personality Sophie Keller gives us 50 key ideas for improving your relationship in her upcoming book, How Happy Is Your Love Life?: 50 Great Tips to Help You Attract and Keep Your Perfect Partner.
The book is part of a four-book series coming out November 27. Keller notes her goal for the ‘How Happy Is’ brand is that [her] practical, easy to use advice will help you discard outdated attitudes, habits and beliefs in order to make more positive choices in your life.
In the 1934 classic comic strip “Li’l Abner,” Al Capp wrote about a lady named Sadie Hawkins who was frantic about the length of time she was waiting for suitors to approach her. When Sadie turned 35 years old, her father also became quite concerned and took it upon himself to find his daughter a mate.
So, he announced a “Sadie Hawkins Day” and summoned every eligible bachelor in town to a foot race. The foot race began with the men running as soon as they heard the first gunshot. A second gunshot was the signal for Sadie to run and the first man she caught would become her husband. By 1952, Sadie Hawkins Day was celebrated at 40,000 venues in the form of a dance where women asked men out. Continue reading →
BRAVO’s The Millionaire Matchmaker Patti meets up with drag queen Frank (who sometimes impersonates Patti herself!) and gives him tips to be himself while dating, instead of the larger than life personality he sometimes embodies. As a “celebrity”, Frank and Patti discuss the good and the bad about dating when you’re well known. Going from too much personality to zero personality, Patti’s other client this week, Jason, is way too uptight and needs to loosen up to find a match. Keltie, a body movement coach meets with Jason to help him relax. Will he be able to take what he learns and apply it to dating, or will he leave all his new moves at the dance studio? Find out this Tuesday 11/8 @ 9/8c on BRAVO’s The Millionaire Matchmaker
Thinking Like a Drag Queen: Patti Stanger and her millionaire female impersonator are on the same page.
Pulling the Stick Out: Patti Stanger has this millionaire go to a dance class to find some personality.
Field of flowers. Photo: monkeybusinessimages / Bigstock.com
By Tanni Deb
With Election Day around the corner, this is the best time to campaign for a better relationship. Whether that means leaning to the left with a liberal approach or moving toward the right with a more conservative one, you deserve the best you can get. Use the following guidelines and you just may win a vote from that special someone:
To find the perfect partner:
1. Figure out what you want in a partner: Knowing exactly what you want in a partner will help you narrow down your choices just as you would with a candidate in an election. Otherwise, you’ll settle for anyone.
If you and your partner enjoy the luxury of indulging in expertly crafted wines, then attending a wine tasting event can be the perfect date idea. Watching a movie or dining at a crowded restaurant doesn’t always give you the opportunity to be intimate. Who could ask for more than learning about — and sipping on! –smooth wines in a cozy tasting room? …Don’t miss the rest! Click here for more great dating advice.
Eva Longoria and Matt Barnes. Photo: Solarpix / PR Photos; Allen Berezovsky / PR Photos
On Sunday, the New York Post claimed that actress Eva Longoria was getting romantic with L.A. Lakers forward, Matt Barnes. They sited a source who said that she seemed “very flirty” and had “a spark” with Barnes during a Thursday dinner in New York City. Although the article included a statement from Longoria’s rep who said the duo were only “friends,” she followed up on WhoSay, saying, “First Jessica Simpson, now this. Once again, press gets it wrong, matt barnes and I are not dating! We are doing a charity event together for Padres and Athletes vs Cancer.”
Do you need to defend yourself if rumors spread about your personal relationship?
Couple eating ice cream at the park. Photo: evren_photos / Bigstock.com
By SMF Marcus Osborne for GalTime.com
There are so many roadblocks to lasting, loving, relationships in our lives that I can’t help but to cringe when I hear some of the dealbreakers that people throw up on those cockamamie love lists they construct.
Can’t be black, can’t be divorced, can’t be under 6’1”, can’t make less than one-hundred grand a year, can’t drive a hooptie (if you’re unfamiliar with the term “hooptie” consult your urban dictionary) blah, blah, blah.
Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson. Photo: Apollo/FAMEFLYNET
According to RadarOnline, Jessica Simpson is allegedly showing off a baby bump! Although the singer has refused to publicly comment on whether she is indeed pregnant with her fiancé Eric Johnson, she was seen walking through LAX with her jacket open, and revealing a suspiciously sized belly on Sunday.
How to communicate effectively. Photo: michaeljung / Bigstock.com
By Dating With Dignity’s Marnia Battista for GalTime.com
While some men just aren’t Mr. Boyfriend Material, others just need clear communication from you about what you want, need and expect from them. To make things trickier, many women have difficulty articulating exactly what they’re looking for. That said, imagine if you knew the following:
Exactly what you want in a partner, including his values and goals in life.
How to effectively communicate your needs and expectations without having to be bitchy, brash or judgmental.
Simple ways to set boundaries to allow the possibility of a relationship to unfold before you knee-jerk kick him to the curb.
In order to get your needs met, you have to be able to articulate exactly what you need and then be able to communicate those needs in a way that is appropriate, kind, compassionate, and reveals your true, authentic self.
Here are three steps you can take right now to begin to clearly express your desires to the man in your life so you can begin getting what you want:
Stephen Stagliano and Deanna Pappas welcome a baby girl. Photo: Tommaso Boddi / PR Photos
DeAnna Pappas and Stephen Stagliano have officially tied the knot! Stagliano, a high school teacher, who met The Bachelorette season 4 star at the 2009 party for The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All special, wed in the Serenbe community of Palmetto, GA, on Saturday. “We’re so ecstatic to be husband and wife and we’re thrilled to be sharing this day with all our family and friends,” the couple told UsMagazine.com. Although Pappas ended up with Jesse Csincsak after her season of the hit reality show, it didn’t end up working out and the duo broke off their engagement.
How do you keep hope for marriage alive after a split?
Eva Longoria and Eduardo Cruz were spotted at a Burlesque show at Beacher’s Madhouse inside the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Although it may be a unique kind of date night, People reports that the couple laughed, cuddled and enjoyed the show. Longoria is far from the jealous type. When drag queen Vicky Vox rubbed Cruz’ head in her chest, Longoria just laughed it off. Cheers to that!
What are some unique events you can attend as a couple?
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. Photo: FlynetUK/FAMEFLYNET
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Chris Martin publicly spoke about his wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, for the first time. The couple, who’s been married for eight years and has two children, try to keep their marriage out of the public eye and rarely photograph together, according to RadarOnline. The Coldplay frontman admitted that he’s had one serious romance, and he’s in it. When he was told that he made “quite a leap,” Martin replied, “It’s a big leap? What, from being a loser to going out with an Oscar winner? It’s a giant leap. Let’s face it, it’s like winning the lottery.”
What are some ways to keep your relationship intimate?
BRAVO’s The Millionaire Matchmaker: This week Patti takes on broken-hearted brothers who are ready to make a change and find “the one.” The bodybuilding brothers certainly have the cards stacked against them. Older brother Abe spent the last three years in prison and younger brother David married young only to be cheated on, leading to divorce at 24. Patti has a good feeling about these guys, but will she be successful in finding women who can look beyond their troubled pasts? Find out this Thursday 10/13 @ 9/8c on BRAVO’s The Millionaire Matchmaker
· Venturing into the World of Abe Cruz: This millionaire was incarcerated for the past three years but is determined to turn his life around. http://bravo.ly/oLCIub
· Got Burned Young: David Cruz got burned as a young guy and is now trying to do the right thing. http://bravo.ly/oR5OJ3
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. Photo: Brian Flannery/FlynetPictures.com
By Patty Newbold, author of the award-winning marriage blog, AssumeLove.com
It can’t be easy marrying into a reality TV show, as Kris Humphries recently did. Kim Kardashian and her family speak their minds, and it’s all caught on camera. Kris already gets his share of it from her siblings, and it can’t be long before he catches angry words or insults from his new wife Kim, too.
It’s the Ratio, Not the Number
Let’s hope Kim’s already figured this out, but fighting words do not kill a relationship. Marriages fail when the nastygrams are not matched with at least five times as many respectful, loving and encouraging words and gestures. Remember: Five times. Or more.
That’s what psychologist John Gottman’s research found. He uses it to predict, in just a few minutes, which marriages will last and which will not. It doesn’t matter how many or how few unloving words, eye rolls, or shrugs are used in a relationship; only whether the good stuff happens at least five times as often as the bad.
Couple on a romantic dinner date. Photo: dolgachov / Bigstock.com
Fall is here, and what better way to get ready for the cool weather than by heading indoors for dinner and a movie? Try something new by heading to a recently opened restaurant in your town or trying a dish that you and your date can share. Not only are you creating memories, but you’re getting ready for the holiday, which is all about giving thanks to one another.
To get current information on new restaurants coming to your area and for some great deals (who doesn’t want to save money before the holidays?), check out websites like Bloomspot, Groupon and Living Social.
Steve Jobs. Photo: Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
–Steve Jobs (1955 — 2011)
BRAVO’s The Millionaire Matchmaker Patti’s client’s this week need some help, but nothing too challenging for Patti to tackle. Her first client is looking for perfection, but on the way to perfection will find every fault with a potential mate. On the other hand, Patti’s other client doesn’t know when to hold back and keep his mouth shut. These rusty daters are depending on Patti’s expertise, but will she come through and find these men the love they’ve been searching for? Find out Tonight 10/6 @ 9/8c onBRAVO’s The Millionaire Matchmaker
Fault Finding Territory: Patti Stanger believes this millionaire is headed towards being a fault-finding, nit-picking millionaire. http://bravo.ly/ntlU8q
Vomit Too Much Information: Patti Stanger helps this millionaire who is a bit rusty in the dating world. http://bravo.ly/nnXCcg
Ever wonder the secret to staying happily married? Why some people make it look so easy, while you’re feeling like you’re in a struggle for your life? A new book, The Secret Lives of Wives: Women Share What it Really Takes to Stay Married, rounds up a diverse cast of happily married characters who have the tenacity and audacity to make their marriages work.
We interviewed the author, Iris Krasnow, who calls her book “an antidote for divorce”, and asked her to spill her own secrets of wedded bliss.
What made you decide to write on this particular topic? Continue reading →
While most of us want to believe in the happily ever after ending, it sometimes takes a lot of work and effort to get there. With the news media feeding us frequent stories of celebrities who can’t seem to make their relationships work, it’s no wonder everyday couples who don’t have an abundance of money or fame are struggling to keep their marriage alive. With the national statistic for divorce in the United States still holding at 50 percent, we don’t have reason to believe that fairytale endings exist anymore. So, what do the couples who stay married know, and why are they hiding it from the rest of the world? Best-selling author Iris Krasnow shares the secret to staying married forever in her new book “The Secret Lives of Wives.” Check out eight of her tips below for achieving your happily ever after:
