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Saturday, February 12, 2011

8 Things Guys Notice About You Instantly

8 Things Guys Notice About You Instantly
The second a man sees you, he starts ticking off a checklist to determine if he’ll ask you out. Shocker: A nice badunkadunk is nowhere on that list.
By Bethany Heitman

You know that look where his eyes slide past you...then turn back? Wouldn’t it be great to know what stopped him? You totally can. “There are a few things men instantly observe when they meet a woman,” says Jackie Black, PhD, author of Meeting Your Match. Learn what they are and you can maximize your, um, assets. Then you’ll have your pick.

1. How Thick Your Hair Is
This is all about evolution. Since caveman days, dudes have been drawn to lush locks, which signal that a woman is healthy (translation: shaggable).

2. If Your Smile Is Genuine
Sometimes your eyes crinkle a bit when you grin. Most men are good at distinguishing the vibe of this kind of smile, which says you’re relaxed and fun.

3. The Size of Your Group
You don’t want a big bunch (it’ll be hard for him to approach) or just one friend (he’ll figure you wouldn’t desert her to talk to him). The perfect crew size? Three. Your two buds can keep each other company when you slip away.

4. The Pitch of Your Voice
Studies show that men are drawn to voices in a slightly higher register (think Kristin Bell’s), probably because — yep, evolution — they’re reliable signs of youth and reproductive health.

5. Your Hip-to-Waist Ratio
Yet again, blame eons of human history. Men instinctually look for baby mamas. If your waist is noticeably smaller than your hips, it signifies fertility — a huge point in your favor. A wide belt will emphasize that hourglass shape.

6. Your Glowiness
Guys associate a radiant complexion with good mental health. That’s because stress and anxiety usually cause breakouts and dull skin. So those lotions and bronzers you sweep over your cheeks? Totally worth it.

7. What’s Fake About You
Not personality-fake, but artificial-accoutrement- fake: lashes, hair extensions, etc. To guys, these things shout high-maintenance! Not good.

8. Your Eyes
People focus on eyes more than they do on any other body part. And dramatic eye makeup will have him zeroing in on your peepers even more.

Sources: Daniel Amen, MD, author of The Brain and Love; David Feinberg, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior at McMaster University; Helen Fisher, PhD, Professor of Anthropology at Rutgers University and author of Why Her? Why Him?; Lisa Shield, dating coach in Los Angeles

Quoted: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/dating-advice/what-guys-notice?link=rel&dom=yah_life&src=syn&con=blog_cosmo&mag=cos

8 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

8 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas
By Kaboodle.com

Even if you’ve waited until the 11th hour to do your shopping (or the holiday almost slipped your mind altogether) you don’t have to look like a stupid cupid this Valentine’s Day. Just check out the following eight thoughtful gift ideas that are easy and fast to pull off.



1. Print Artful, Anything-but-Average Greetings
Got a color printer? If so, you can have beautiful frame-worthy greetings from independent artists at your fingertips—no standing in line at crowded stores for a generic greeting. All it takes is browsing Etsy.com's wide selection of printable greetings, from a variety of artists. After you purchase the print using Paypal, the seller will email you a PDF or a link to download and print your work of art. Personalize it by writing sweet nothings to your loved one on it. Your Valentine will be so touched that he or she will never suspect it’s hot off the presses!




2. Sweeten Up Your Bouquet
She might get wise to your procrastination if you gift her a standard supermarket bouquet of flowers you picked up on your way home. However, if you add a personal (and sweet!) touch, she’ll never catch on! Purchase chocolate truffles (available at most grocery stores) and stick them on skewers so you can intersperse them in the bouquet. It’s easy, but adds a little something extra.





3. Set a Romantic Dinner for Two
Too late to score a reservation? Not a problem! Grab takeout from your sweetie’s favorite restaurant and present it on your nicest china. Ambiance is everything so light candles and arrange food artfully on the plate. If you want to add an extra special element, consider setting up a picnic in front of your fireplace. Simply changing up your routine can do wonders for creating a romantic evening, without a lot of fuss or preparation time.



4. Surprise with a Getaway
With sites like Orbitz.com and LastMinute.com, you have a great excuse to wait until the 11th hour—especially when you surprise your loved one with a mini vacation! Plus, your procrastination can actually pay off—you can save up to 70% when you book at the last minute on these sites! . It takes a little flexibility and spontaneity to pull this off, but there are few things more romantic than surprising your honey with weekend getaway for two!




5. Send a Personalized E-Gift Card
Many stores, such as Amazon, allow you to send your recipient a gift card via e-mail or Facebook. There couldn’t possibly be anything easier or more instantaneous, and who doesn’t love the opportunity to get what they really want?! Amazon even has Valentine’s Day-themed designs and messaging. Alternatively, you can purchase the gift card online and print out the coupon to present to your loved one slipped into a card with a sweet message penned by you!



6. Rush Delivery on Flowers
If your Valentine loves the traditional gift of flowers, you can still come through even if you’ve waited until the day of. Teleflora and FromYouFlowers.com offer same-day delivery on bouquets so long as you order before 3 p.m. in your loved one’s time zone.



7. Sign Up Your Sweetie for Food-of-the-Month Clubs
We all know the saying “the fastest way to the heart is through the stomach!” Well, we’ve got your ticket to the express route with monthly food memberships. Savenor’s Meats hosts a variety of clubs that offer everything from bacon to poultry to lamb—starting at just $10 per month. The best part about this gift is that while it’s thoughtful and sure to be savored, it’s the sort of item that has to arrive at a later date so you won’t be found out as a last-minute shopper. Present his membership by writing out the details in a greeting card or printing out menus or a schedule so he can see the savory (or sweet) items he’ll receive!



8. Take Advantage of In-Store Pickup and Overnight Shipping
Shopping online makes it easy pull off last-minute shopping! If the guy in your life is a gadget guru, order the latest e-reader, iPhone accessory, or video game from Best Buy and select in-store pickup to breeze through checkout. Since Best Buy isn’t your typical go-to store for Valentine’s Day gifts, you won’t have a problem with items being out of stock or stores being overrun with shoppers. Most guys would prefer a useful gadget than something heart-shaped anyway. Alternatively, clothes also make great gifts for the loved one you know really well. Order from a trusted online retailer like Zappos, which offers free overnight shipping!

Quoted: http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/522/8-last-minute-valentines-day-gift-ideas/

5 Signs He's About to Propose.

5 Signs He's About to Propose.
by Cosmopolitan.com, on Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:42am PST

Want to know if you could be getting engaged soon? Here, the sneaky hints that your boyfriend is about to put a ring on it.

By Christie Griffin

Related: What You Must Know By The Fourth Date

1. He's extra helpful.
If your guy shows a sudden interest in doing dishes or picking out sheets at Bed, Bath & Beyond, he may be trying to prove he's husband material. "Before he pops the question, he'll subconsciously seek out ways to show off his domestic side," says Tamsen Fadal, co-author of Why Hasn't He Proposed? "He wants to make sure you see him as a partner who pulls his weight."

Related: 4 Things Guys Keep Private

2. He talks himself up.
Even though you have a career of your own and can take care of yourself, most men still want to be on solid financial footing (good job, decent salary, clear credit) before getting engaged. "It's instinctual for men to want to provide for their partner," says Les Parrott, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Crazy Good Sex. "So they'll frequently point out their ability to do so in the weeks leading up to an engagement." That means he may brag a little about an accomplishment at work or casually hint that he's receiving a larger than usual bonus.

Related: What Makes Men Fall In Love

3. He acts like you just started dating.
Think back to the past few weeks. Has your guy been unusually attentive? Maybe he's brought you just-because flowers or taken you out on elaborate dates. "He's pulling out all the stops to make sure that when the time comes, you say yes," explains Fadal. Yeah, it's a tad sneaky, but he's also making those gestures because he's genuinely excited about the possibility of marrying you. "Planning a proposal reignites that new love buzz for a lot of men," says Parrott.

Related: 5 Risks To Take That Will Make You More In Love

4. He quizzes you.
When it comes to the actual will-you-marry-me moment, most guys want it to be as personal and meaningful as possible. That may require digging up some little-known facts about you. If your boyfriend has been asking random questions about things like your favorite flower or a childhood memory, he may be gathering info that will help him plan the perfect proposal. "Not only does he want it to be special for you, but he knows all of your friends will ask, 'How did he do it?', and he wants you to have an amazing story to tell," says Parrott.

Related: 5 Secrets To Keep From Him

5. He's really concerned about the details.
On the big day, you can bet your guy will be ridiculously nervous. "Even if he's certain you'll say yes, he's still anxious about whether or not he'll be able to pull off whatever it is that he has planned," says Parrott. If he's typically laid-back but freaks out about being on time to dinner, or he's borderline aggressive when he insists you order the chocolate cake for dessert, it's possible he's got something sparkly up his sleeve ... or least in a little box in his pocket.

Quoted: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/5-signs-hes-about-to-propose-2445510/

6 new myth-busting rules for singles

6 new myth-busting rules for singles
By Dave Singleton

I thought I knew a lot about how singles think and feel. After all, I’ve written about dating and relationships for ten years and my name is Singleton (no, not a pen name).

But the surprising and sometimes counterintuitive results from a new study of more than 5,000 single people are making me question my assumptions and take note. Commissioned by Match.com and led by top researchers, this is quite possibly the most comprehensive survey of singles to date.

The findings reveal what I call Singles 2.0, a new breed of men and women who are defying age and gender stereotypes while shaking up their actions and attitudes toward dating. The facts and figures are striking. But how can they help those on the dating frontlines?

Based on the research findings, there are several real-world implications for singles trying to meet their matches.

Check out these six new and myth-busting rules that’ll help you improve your dating life right now!

Rule 1: Approach single men with fresh eyes
In some ways, this new study could be subtitled: “In defense of the unmarried American male.” Single guys, who have long gotten a bum rap for being commitment-phobes and romantically blasé, are evidently misunderstood. The survey makes it clear: don’t buy into these myths. Men fall in love faster, are more eager to have children for the first time (24% vs. 15%), and when it comes to love, feel just as intensely as women do. The most surprising fact about men may be this: “More men than women would marry a partner they weren’t sexually attracted to,” says renowned biological anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher. “Shared interests and family are more important.”

Rule 2: Stop thinking that single women are clingy and dependent
I’ve heard from numerous single men who fear that clingy women will threaten their independence. Guess what? Study findings reveal that — across every age group — women in a relationship are more likely than men to hold tight to their own interests, personal space, bank accounts, regular nights out with their girlfriends, and separate vacations. So relax, guys. It looks like we’re the ones who should worry about being overly needy.

Rule 3: Join the crowd and expand your dating pool
Prejudice is waning and singles are more open to dates of different races and religions. A relatively small percentage of men (20%) and women (29%) consider it “very important” or a “must have” to find someone who shares their own ethnic background, while even fewer men (17%) and women (28%) are specifically looking for partners who share their religious backgrounds. “Be part of the future,” says Dr. Fisher. “It’s clear that others are getting rid of their past ideas about the right partner.” For many singles, knowing that the tides are turning may free you up to expand your pool of prospects, too.

Rule 4: Whoa, slow down! Don’t rush to judgment about your date
I have nothing against the lucky few who’ve experienced love at first sight. But what about the rest of us who aren’t immediately felled by Cupid’s arrow? We’re used to going out on a first date and not experiencing the 4th of July fireworks we’re told we must have. The research suggests that success comes if you’re not so quick to throw in the towel. So why not slow down next time and give your date a second chance? “Maybe the single most important finding is that 35% of these people fell in love with someone they didn’t initially find attractive,” says Dr. Fisher. Of this subset of people, “71% grew into the attraction through great conversations, shared interests or both.”

Rule 5: Embrace dating as you age
Conventional wisdom holds that dating success and enjoyment are like a milk carton. They come with an expiration date. According to this new study, singles 65+ report the greatest level of happiness over the past 12 months combined with the least stress over their single status. So relax about being single, older, and dating. It turns out that your love life down the road will be better than you think.

Rule 6: Disavow outdated dating obstacles
Remember all the traditional reasons why you weren’t supposed to date someone? He’s not this. She’s not that. Findings indicate that singles are increasingly disavowing what were once considered romantic hindrances. For example:
Myth: Office romances are taboo. This is undoubtedly true in some places and circumstances. But the relative few who engage in office romance seem to be grown-ups who can handle their love lives in ways that don’t affect their work. After breaking up, 56% reported that the romance didn’t affect their professional relationship and 36% would consider dating someone in the workplace in the future.
Myth: You’re unemployed and therefore unlovable. Wrong! You’re not a dating pariah. Fifty percent of singles are open to seeing someone unemployed if they found the person interesting.
Myth: Single parents are alone on Saturday night. Says who? Single parents go on more dates than singles without kids, and more of these moms and dads are currently dating someone, too.
Amid all the surprising findings, a few results seem familiar. For example, despite their independent streak, women still aren’t comfortable asking men out. “I suspect there are certain aspects of courtship that are never going to change,” says Dr. Fisher. Still, it’s hard to deny how dramatically the dating landscape has indeed changed. But I’m happy to embrace changes that keep me optimistic about romance. How about you?

To review the study’s findings in more detail and offer your comments, visit the Match.com blog.

Dave Singleton, a columnist for Match.com since 2003, is the author of The MANdates: 25 Rules for Successful Gay Dating and Behind Every Great Woman is a Fabulous Gay Man (Advice from a Guy Who Gives it to You Straight).

Quoted: http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=12370&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=729920

Ordained Instruments of the Gospel

God has a purpose for all of our lives. He has gifted us with a purpose and has chosen our path with a purpose. God has prepared in advance the good works we are to do and has worked out everything for us for our good. He has chosen us to do His work here on earth to testify to the gospel of God's grace.

God has ordained by what instrument the Gospel lamp shall be brought unto a people or a particular person. Paul was ordained for the Gentiles, Peter for the Jews; but every one of Christ's servants is guided by the hand of the sovereign Lord to labor in this-or that0or the other part of His vineyard. The stars are held in His right hand (Revelation 1:16), and He causes them to shine in this or that orb of His church; and, when He pleases, He removes them from one place to another in His kingdom, where He has other work for them; and when He takes them to heaven, then those who "turn many to righteousness" shall shine "as the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart so that He can straighten the path that is ahead of you. Wherever the Lord leads you, it is not by chance or by coincidence, it has been prepared for you. Will you take up the call God has placed on your life to live out the wonderful story He has written about you?

Living Life