Blog Posts by The_Stir

Gas pumpIf you own a car, it's likely that you've noticed something rather disturbing at the gas pump lately: high gas prices -- now averaging $3.56 a gallon across the country and up nearly 30 cents from the start of the year.

More from The Stir: Watch Out! Cars Without Drivers Could Be Heading Down a Road Near You

I don't have to tell you that there are few issues that anger drivers more than rising gas prices -- especially drivers who live in cities that have seen the highest increases. But before we look at ways to offset the price at the pump, let's look at the areas of the country with the highest gas prices:

According to Gas Buddy, the states with the highest gas prices are Hawaii, California, New York, Alaska, Connecticut, and Washington, DC with drivers paying anywhere from $3.80 to a little over $4 per gallon. The last time gas topped $4 was 2008, and experts predict that prices could reach a record $4.25 a gallon by late April.

Of course, it's tempting to blame

No relationship is perfect. We all know this. We're not perfect and therefore our relationships will never be perfect either.

That's okay. That's normal.

But success in relationships -- romantic and otherwise -- have a lot to do with proper communication. In fact, most relationship problems are caused by poor communication.

Here are the top communication issues in romantic relationships and how to work through them:

More from The Stir: Shocking Study Reveals Why Most Couples Get Divorced

The Problem: Misunderstanding words and actions. It's really easy to misinterpret your partner's words, emails, gestures, and actions to mean something other than what he or she intended. We're all human -- it happens.

The Solution: Don't immediately jump to conclusions. Instead of assuming you know what the other is thinking, ask for clarification. Continue asking for clarification until you understand what your partner is really saying.

The Problem: You don't talk

Dating and mating are SO much work sometimes! The guesswork of whether or not the guy you're crushing on is crushing on you back can leave you spiraling around, second-guessing his every interaction, trying to understand if he's actually into you.

Well, ladies, I'm here to help.

Here are some sure signs (from actual guys) that he's into you.

More from The Stir: 10 Dating Red Flags That Should Send You Running

He bothers to call. I don't know how many times I sat by my phone (well before I had a cell phone), just waiting for the guy I was certain was in love with me to call. He didn't. I don't know how many excuses I made for him. And the next one. And the next one. They all had a "reason" in my head that they didn't call. You know what? That's bullshit. Any guy who wants to call you will call you. End of story.

He wants you to meet other people in his life. Maybe it's his friends. His roommate. His boss. His coworkers. His dog. Everyone. If he wants you to meet

Country KidsWhen I flip through old pictures of my daughter, there's always one that makes me stop and grin. There she is all little girl with her blonde hair in pigtails. And there are her hands, wrapped around the steering wheel of a tractor. There is no mistaking it. I am raising a country kid.

More from The Stir: 25 Ways You Know You're Such a Mother

Now let me explain that. I am raising my kid in a country setting, but raising a "country kid" is about more than location. It's a way of life, and it's an attitude. And if you've got one of these kids on your hands, there are some pretty easy tells. Take a look at this list, and you'll know your kid is a country kid if he/she ...

More from The Stir: 9 Types of Moms We All Want to Avoid

1. Read about sidewalks in that Shel Silverstein book but has never actually walked on one
2. Learned to drive a tractor before she lost all her baby teeth
3. Knows milk comes from cows because he watched his best buddy milk one
4. Has had a

City lifeWhen I go to Manhattan, even for just a day, there's always a small part of me that wants to stay. There are real bagels there! And you can walk out at any time of night and find something to eat. And oh, what would it be like to raise a city kid!

More from The Stir: 25 Ways You Know You're Such a Mother

I'll never know because as much as New York City jerks at my heart, I come crashing back down to planet earth when I return home to the country. I don't think my kid will be any worse for it. But I won't lie. I know the children of friends who live in urban areas are different from my own.

More from The Stir: 9 Types of Moms We All Want to Avoid

They are true city kids. And you know yours is one too if he/she ...

1. Has never suffered the awful itch of a mosquito bite
2. Considers the sidewalk an integral part of any good game
3. Thought the cow in the pasture on a long road trip was a spotted horse
4. Has been to so many "pride" parades he doesn't know if he's

Lindsay FerrierReaders of this blog know very well that I'm completely opposed to pregnant celebrities wearing extremely high platform heels. (Jessica Simpson, I'm looking at you!)

So when it came time to take some dares, I decided I was morally obligated to put this one to the test.

More from The Stir: The Wine Glass Necklace: I Took That Dare! (VIDEO)

I shouldn't have been at all surprised that this would be a true DARE GONE WRONG!! It is also one of my most embarrassing moments of all time -- and that's saying a lot!

Check out the video!

I have to admit, I'd had high hopes for this particular dare -- but when I put that fake belly on, my hopes were dashed to bits.

It. Looked. HORRIBLE. And there's nothing -- and I mean NOTHING -- more embarrassing than trying to fake a pregnancy with a dented belly.

If you've been thinking of wearing a misshapen, clothing-stuffed fake belly in YOUR hometown, well, I'd advise against it.

More from The Stir: Bras Aren't Just

all natural lipstickI was just as surprised as the next person to learn that over 400 lipsticks from brands like L'Oreal, Maybelline, NARS, and CoverGirl contain lead. Turns out, lipsticks actually contain a lot of nasty ingredients like crushed up bugs, harmful chemicals, and parasites. Point is, the stuff may be pretty, but it's also pretty gross. And according to a recent study, the average woman who wears lipstick daily eats five pounds of it a year, and that doesn't even account for the amount that is absorbed through the lips and into our bloodstream. So yeah, it may be worth making sure that your favorite cosmetic isn't harmful to your health.

More from The Stir: Ugly Woman Turns Hot Before Your Eyes

The FDA maintains that the amount of lead and other stuff in lipsticks pose no safety risks, but it's still better to play it safe rather than sorry. So here are 5 lipsticks that are totally lead-free, safe to use, and good, good looking.

all natural lipstick
Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze, $17. This watermelon

It's common knowledge that men love to be on the receiving end of oral sex. There are infinite possibilities as to how to give it, which can leave women a little confused -- what's the best way to do it? It's hard to know what feels good ... and what feels great.

Here are some tips for giving your guy amazing oral sex:

More from The Stir: How to Help Your Guy Through His Fear of Oral

Start gently, with your man standing and facing you, as you kneel or squat in front of him -- that way, he can fall back on the bed when the sensations become too intense. Take the shaft of his penis in both of your hands, putting all your fingers on the shaft without touching the head of the penis.

Gently begin to rub the skin, moving your hands back and forth in opposite directions as if you're making a play-doh snake (or starting a campfire). Open your mouth wide so you can fully cover the tip of the penis. When the entire tip is in your mouth, slowly close your lips and begin to suck