Blog Posts by Smitten, Glamour Magazine

By Rosemary Brennan, Glamour magazine

Show me a sprig of mistletoe hanging at a holiday party and I'll show you at least one person who cracks jokes about stealing kisses from fellow revelers. Everyone knows it's tradition to smooch under the festive greenery but where exactly did the kissing custom come from?

See also: 12 Secret Signs He's Into You

Signs of affection shared under the under the plant have origins in ancient Druid and Norse cultures. But it wasn't until much later-during the 18th and 19th centuries-that it took on its modern-day part in Christmas celebrations. Around this time, British households started hanging mistletoe in their homes during holiday celebrations. Slate reports that in an 1820 story, writer Washington Irving hints at the saucy nature of the decor, writing, "the mistletoe, with its white berries, hung up, to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids." But what else is there to know about this festive plant?

Traditionally, folks looking for a

Fairchild ArchiveBy Sarah Richelle-Lemas, Glamour magazine

Spending time alone with your guy is easy, but going public with your plus-one is another thing entirely. Whether it's your crazy relatives at dinner or awkward convos with your boss at the holiday party, possible pitfalls are everywhere. Keep reading for tips on how to make his grand entrance into your social life a good thing.

See also: 12 Secret Signs He's Into You

DON'T ditch your partner
This is the DON'T to beat all others-and yet it happens frequently. "Sometimes he'll just be so excited to see someone, and I'm left standing there," says Puja, 21. Whether it's a work party, a family gathering or a bash with friends, if he doesn't know anyone, it's your responsibility to make introductions.

DON'T try to change him
He might not share your party personality-and that's fine. Repeat: That's fine. "When we were first dating I would say, 'Why aren't you mingling?'" says Gwendolyn, 28. "Over time, I have just learned to let him be himself

By Rosemary Brennan, Glamour magazine

We're in the middle of the holiday party season and whether you're headed to an ugly sweater party or a classy cocktail soiree, there are plenty of chances for you to get chatty with all the cuties you've been crushing on this year.

Need some help getting your flirt on during festive fetes? Try one of these tips on for size:

1. Ask the party host to introduce you to the hunk you've been too shy to approach.

See also: 12 Secret Signs He's Into You

2. Is his cup of spiked eggnog looking a little low? Offer to grab him a refill while you're getting yourself a glass.

3. If you're at an ugly sweater party, exchange stories about your hideous knits!

4. Get cozy next to the wallflower sitting on the couch alone.

5. Need some conversation starters? Ask him about his holiday plans, how he knows the party host(s) or if he's finished (or even started!) his holiday shopping.

6. Suggest the two of you peruse the snack table together.

7. If you're

By Ariane Marder, Glamour magazine

Turns out even supermodels suffer from broken hearts. According to The Daily News, Tyra Banks is coping with her recent split from her boyfriend of three years by jetting off to Bali a la Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love for a "spiritual retreat." Not everyone recovering from a breakup can seek solace on the other side of the world, so I put together a list of simple tips to help you feel like your normal, rad self again-with or without a passport.

See more: 10 Beauty Tricks That Make Guys Melt

1. Be Kind to Yourself
As much as you don't want to brush off the Doritos crumbs and peel yourself off the couch to shower, just do it. Even better: leave the house. Schedule a massage, get a haircut or take a yoga class. While exercising may not be your favorite form of indulgence, the payoff in endorphins and self-esteem is worth the effort.

2. Make a List of His Most Annoying Traits
Is there some sort of default setting that resets itself the minute

By John Ortved, Glamour magazine

The folks over at College Candy have put together a helpful little list of The 11 Lies Women Tell Men. I thought it might only be fair, and even a little helpful if I shared the lies men tell women. If you want to know the truth, keep reading, but also keep in mind that I just admitted that I could be a total liar.

See more: 10 Beauty Tricks That Make Guys Melt

1. "Spankme.com isn't my homepage. I don't even watch porn! Someone must have put that there as a joke."
OK, the homepage thing really may have been a joke, but seriously, he probably watches porn.

2. "I'm just not hungry."
Are you kidding me? Men can always eat. We are the opposite of hibernating bears. The reason he's not eating is either because what you made is gross, or he's mad at you, or something is bothering him.

3. "I have no idea how many women I've slept with; I don't count"
Bullsh*t. He knows exactly how many and if he doesn't it's because his memory is bad, in which case he

By Jessica Lubin and Melissa Mann, Glamour magazine

If you think "Will you marry me?" is the only thing running through a guy's head before he pops the question, think again.

See more: 10 Beauty Tricks That Make Guys Melt

"I don't want to ask. If she says no, I am leaving town. She never says no to me, watch her say no this time. I forgot to read the refund policy on the ring…sh*t. She better say yes! I hope she says yes."
-Julian, 26, Milwaukee

"I hope she likes the ring."
-Sean, 29, New York City

"I got excited and told people I was going to do it, so I just wanted to make sure it stayed a secret. Also, the day of the proposal, I was going crazy trying to make sure I remembered to do everything before it actually happened."
-Brian, 24, New York City

"I was worried that she would eat the ring because it was in her sorbet."
-Allen, 24, Plainfield, Conn.

"Right before I proposed, all I could think about was how pretty my girl looked, even though it was below freezing outside

By Meredith Bodgas, Glamour magazine

If all you want for Christmas (or Hanukkah) is an engagement ring, you may be in luck if…

Related: 12 Secret Signs He's Into You

…your guy hasn't asked what you want for a present.
If he doesn't care what's on your wish list, it could be because he already knows what he's giving you for a gift: an engagement ring.

…he doesn't ask for more details on gifts you tell him you want.
Maybe he does ask you what you want for the holidays to throw you off from his proposal plan. If you say, "a sweater," and he doesn't ask any follow-up questions (like "what color," "what kind," "what size"), it could be because he doesn't intend to get you a sweater, since his gift (an engagement ring) is already picked out.

…you catch him chatting with your mom/sister/bff and he claims it's about a present for you.
Sure, he may be asking the women in your inner circle for gift guidance on that sweater you requested. But most boyfriends would rather get help from the

By Ranya Fattouh, Glamour magazine

Anyone who says online dating is painless and easy never tried it; between the slew of online dating sites, filtering through potential daters' profiles and flirting with perfect strangers via IM and e-mail, things can get a little hairy. On the plus side, you've got hundreds of possible love interests right at your fingertips, so don't give up! Read on for our expert advice on navigating online dating like a pro.

Related: 12 Secret Signs He's Into You

1. DO your research.
When considering online dating websites, consider both larger, well-known sites and smaller niche sites-there are benefits to both. "Niche sites are great because they bring similar people with common interests together, and everyone is starting with a common base, which naturally puts you in a place of confidence," says J.J. Smith, author of Why I Love Men: The Joys of Dating.

Broader sites, on the other hand, often have additional features like personal assessment tests. Pepper