Blog Posts by TheNest.com

Does your TV watching habit have an effect on your marriage?

By Rachel Sylvester for TheNest.com

How TV Can Change Your Relationship











Meredith and McDreamy. Ross and Rachel. Carrie and Mr. Big. They're the couples we love to obsess about, even though their romances exist only on TV. After all, we were there for the dramatic breakups, heartwarming makeups, and every scripted detail in between.

Hollywood's best sex advice

But the addiction we have to TV characters and their rocky romantic lives may affect our own personal relationships, according to a new report in Mass Communication and Society. Researchers from Albion College surveyed over 390 married couples on their current relationship commitment, satisfaction, and expectations in correlation to their beliefs in the reality of made-for-TV love stories-and discovered that the more an individual believes in fictional television romances, the less likely he or she is to be happy in their own love life.

"I found that people who believe the unrealistic portrayals on TV

Couples share their stories of unexpected first encounters

By Melissa Walker for TheNest.com

Getty Images / The Nest














Walking down the aisle together
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Married: October 20, 2007
It was their best friend's wedding in 2003: Sara was a bridesmaid and Patrick was a groomsman. "We were introduced during the rehearsal, and we walked down the aisle together," says Sara. "At the rehearsal dinner, Sara's table was by the buffet, and I got up to refill my plate six times as an excuse to talk to her," admits Patrick. Adds Sara, "We dated long distance for six months; then I moved to Jacksonville. Eventually we talked down the aisle again- but this time it was for real!"

In a virtual world
Hometown: Seacaucus, NJ
Married: April 25, 2008
The couple first met at Tiki Cove Plaza- but wait a sex, it's not an actual plaza. It exists in a virtual world called There.com, and their two animated avatars started "hanging out." After a year of virtual dating, they decided to try it for real. "We were

Find out how late-night gadget use affects your ability to get some shut-eye.

By Rachel Sylvester for TheNest.com

Getty Images / The Nest











Find it hard to switch off your gadgets before bed? It turns out that one's inability to turn off makes it more difficult to tune out at the end of the day.

What's your sleep style?

New research published in the journal Applied Ergonomics shed some light on light -- more specifically, how self-luminous displays increase your risk of sleep disorders. Devices that emit light -- cell phones, televisions and computers included -- also emit short wavelengths of optical radiation. Although undetectable to the naked eye, this radiation suppresses natural melatonin levels, ultimately harming your ability to get quality shut-eye.

The study was conducted in the Lighting Research Center at New York's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Thirteen participants were studied after they received prolonged exposure to varying degrees of tablet brightness. Ultimately,

It's easier to find online deals if you know when to shop!

By Rachel Sylvester for TheNest.com

Stockbyte/The Nest

Between shopping for books, boots, housewares and handbags, the ease and appeal of online shopping is both tempting and wallet-draining. Not only must you remember where to shop, but a savvy online buyer must know exactly when the best deals are available. Luckily, the insightful shopping bloggers at Extrabux dug up some useful information on what to buy and when.

Top 10 biggest spending excuses!

Based on price data Extrabux spent two years gathering, the hard-earned results show that prices of specific goods can fluctuate on any given day of the week. Take computers, for instance. If you're purchasing electronics online, stick to Mondays. Buying televisions and digital cameras earlier in the week will guarantee you the lowest prices. Sunday is ideal for spending money on major appliances, while jewelry is best bought on Wednesdays. For the bookworms out there (us included), Extrabux

Ready for a road trip? Hit up one of these fun August fests, where everyone from foodies to music lovers can have their day(s) in the sun.

By Kristine Solomon for TheNest.com

The Nest

1. Maine Lobster Festival: Get your nutcrackers and bibs ready, because this event celebrates everything about your favorite crustacean, from feasting to cooking contests to lobster crate races and more. August 1 to 5. Tickets range from $5 to $25. www.mainelobsterfestival.com

10 sexy summer cocktails

2. Burning Man: About 50,000 people attend this annual arts festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. The organization itself, a nonprofit, even has trouble articulated what the Burning Man festival is, but suffice to say it's an event where freedom of expression is embraced and just about anything goes. First-timers: leave your inhibitions at the door. August 27th through September 3rd. $390 per ticket. www.burningman.com

3. Telluride Film Festival: Head to the cozy mountain town of Telluride, Colorado to

Whether you're male or female, these canines may be your best mates when it comes to getting dates.

By Kristine Solomon for TheNest.com

For Men: #5: French bulldogs
Thinkstock / The Nest
These pups are strong and muscular, and they make excellent companions. No wonder they make men more appealing in women's eyes.

For Women: #5: Beagles
Thinkstock / The Nest
Maybe it's because they have a hunting instinct, or it could be because of their pleasant nature, but beagles make the list of dogs that make women seem more appealing.

The cutest pet photos ever!

For Men: #4: Siberian huskies
Thinkstock / The Nest
Their striking blue eyes and outgoing personalities make these animals -- and their owners -- a draw for many women.

For Women: #4: Poodles
Thinkstock / The Nest
One of the smartest of all dog breeds, poodles appeal to both sexes -- but it was the men who said these curly haired companions make women more date-worthy.

Which dog is right for your duo?

For Men: #3: Labrador retrievers
Thinkstock / The Nest
It seems that both sexes are turned on by people who own these playful pups!

For Women:

These destinations are too sexy, too adventurous and too faraway for tikes. So enjoy them now!

By Cemile Kavountzis for TheNest.com

Shutterstock / The Knot

Moshi, Tanzania

There's tons to do in this top adventure destination, like going on a safari near the Ngorongoro Crater (a hotbed for wildlife). Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro also sets the "thrill" bar high-like 19,341 feet high-but it takes days of serious hiking to get to the top (you'll sleep in tents along the way).

Where to Stay
Located on the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro, the brightly colored Springlands Hotel is outfitted with African handicrafts and supports "green" tourism (from $72; SpringlandsHotel.com).

Head north from Serengeti National Park for comfy tents at the Ikoma Safari Camp (from $300; IkomaSafariCamp.com) or go east to the Pongwe Beach Hotel in Zanzibar (from $130; Pongwe.com).

What to Do
Sign up for a tour with a company like 2Afrika (they'll help plan your safari from bottom to top). En route to Serengeti National Park, stop at

Which shelter pet is right for you and your significant other? We've got the scoop -- straight from the ASPCA.

By MaryAnn Barone for TheNest.com

shutterstock/The Nest


Crossbreeds shouldn't be shunned.
About 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy -- meaning the majority of pets are super-cute crossbreeds. What does this mean for you? Crossbreeds tend to be healthier than purebreds because they're more genetically diverse. Purebreds may have issues like hip dysplasia and respiratory problems -- which are much less likely with crossbreeds.

How much does a pet cost?

Don't assume pets at shelters are "bad."
The number-one reason cited for pet relinquishment at animal shelters is moving, says Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) pet adoption center. It's important to recognize that pets aren't there because they're unloved, unwanted or inherently bad; they're there