Blog Posts by The_Stir

engagement ringI was never one of those girls who wanted more than anything to be married. That is, of course, until I found myself in a happy, healthy, long-term relationship. We had always been partners. But four years in, I was itching to take that partnership to the next level, and I told him I'd like it if we could get engaged this year, please.

Six months went by ... nine ... a year, and on our anniversary, he said he was there, but could I please wait a little bit longer, because he really wanted to make it special and memorable? "Okay, I understand," I said. But -- on the inside, I started to lose my mind.

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What I'm about to reveal is painfully honest. But by telling my tale, hopefully another almost-bride-to-be will know she's not alone in freaking out about The Wait. But I might save her from the fallout of said freakout.

Here's what mine was like ... I'd think, It's been five

Nicole RichieIt's spring, you guys, it's freakin' spring! Okay, fine, the season doesn't officially start until March 20, but it's gorgeous out in New York today, so why don't we just improvise? I think it'll be best for everyone.

Alright, so, despite it technically still being winter, the warmer temperatures and -- hello! -- daylight savings have got spring and summer seriously on my mind. To be honest, it's kind of all I can think about right now. And of course, shortly after thoughts of cocktails outside and an overall feeling of well-being, my brain goes straight to clothes. Bright clothes.

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That's right, my dark-colored-loving friends. You're going to have to don some dark clothes for the funeral of your dark clothes some time in the near future. 'Cause the upcoming seasons are all about the brights. And that's a good thing. I mean, look at Nicole Richie.

Okay, fine. Of course Nicole Richie looks good in brights.

Sick of younger guys who can barely bother to carry on a decent conversation unless it involves the words "beer" and "pong"? Yeah, me too. That means it's time to go outside your age bracket and find yourself an older guy to date.

Dating older men (not, I should clarify, OLD men) can be a totally amazing experience. Here are some reasons why dating an older man can be awesome.

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One word: established. Sure, dating a young guy can be fun -- until you realize the guy's a flake, he's still reliving his college years, and he calls you "dude" because he can't remember your name. Older men, well, they know what they want, they've got it, and they have roots. Roots, as long as we're not talking about hair dye, are a great thing, especially when it comes to serious dating.

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An older man is also going to be a well-read conversationalist. That means

sock bunIf you have medium-length or long hair, I have two words that are going to change your life: sock bun. I thought this was just something that a mom in my daughter's dance class had made up to get her little girl's hair into the best bun ever, but then I started hearing more and more murmurings about it. Soon, I realized that all of those celebrities I see with the perfectly coiffed dos I thought my thin hair could never hold really have a secret weapon -- a sock.

Just an ordinary, everyday sock -- and it makes all the difference in the world. Now, I've seen amazing techniques for beautiful buns before -- like this one Kate Middleton wore or this one that uses a faux hair clip -- but frankly, they overwhelm me, and I just go back to my boring ponytail. But there's no intimidation when it comes to socks, and you don't have to buy a single thing -- not even bobby pins. Just grab a sock from your drawer -- preferably one whose mate you've lost -- and get started.

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Marriage, when it's good, can be a wonderful thing. It's like being allowed to spend your life hanging out with your best friend in the world. Remember how much we wanted our best friend to spend every night at our house for weeks on end when we were little? Well, with marriage, you get to do that. Happily married people wake up every morning next to their best bud.

There are also health benefits to marriage. The March issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior has a study that shows married people are much more likely to live longer after heart surgery than their single counterparts. The study correlated this to the generally positive outlook the marrieds had on their recovery. They just felt more optimistic.

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Well, if that's not a reason to get married, I can't imagine what is. Everyone in this country, regardless of sexual orientation, should be allowed to get married. Because marriage is

fishtail braidBraided hair is so pretty -- and an easy style even if your hair isn't clean or it's a frizzy hair kind of day. And the fishtail braid (also known as herringbone braid) is a really pretty look. The problem is that it's harder to do than your standard braid ... or so I thought.

Farouk Systems Creative Artist Danielle Bucco-Regazzi shares with us the very simple steps on how to achieve the fishtail braid. It is the look actress Jennifer Lawrence will be wearing in the movie The Hunger Games, so we think it's going to be even more of a must-have style than it is now once it premieres.

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Here's a step-by-step guide on how to fishtail braid.

Start with dry hair. Bucco-Regazzi suggests you will need:

• BioSilk Silk Therapy
• CHI Digital 1" Orbit Curling Iron
• BioSilk Molding Silk
• Clear Plastic Bands

Apply a dime size amount of BioSilk Silk Therapy from mid-shaft to ends -- avoid the

I may not be the most romantic person on the planet. But I'll admit that when I hear a good love song, I get a little teary. That may be allergies, though - not sure.

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But for every great love song, there are 50 bad ones.

Luckily for you, I've compiled a list of the worst love songs so that you can handily avoid them.

1) "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf. One of his more iconic songs, this one is both irritating to listen to and leaves the listener wondering, "What IS it that Meatloaf won't do?" I have it on good authority that it's about donuts. He will do anything for love but ... give up donuts. Can't say I blame him. Donuts are delicious.

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2) "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band. Now, I'm pretty sure this song is about getting busy in the afternoon, but I'm not

Man's shadowThere are some basic things women feel are the most important qualities a man must have when looking for a mate. Things like a sense of humor, must be attractive (to that woman), some smarts, and of course together you must have that spark to ignite the bed sheets into a smoldering pile of hot sexiness.

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But there are other things us women want that we may not readily admit to yet can be a deal-breaker. I asked many women from all over the country about what they really want in a man. Some of these qualities may surprise some men, but I think all of us ladies have at least some of these on our 'list.'

1. Chest hair. Not back hair, and not hairy all over his body. Just chest hair.
2. Nice teeth. And must have all of them.
3. Good looking feet.
4. A guy who can be social with strangers.
5. Must love his mom.
6. Someone who doesn't drive like a psycho.
7. A guy who puts gas in my car