friendship

Being single is awesome, no doubt. Still, it's totally normal to sometimes wish you were coupled up. And if you're the only girl in a group of friends without a significant other, those wishes often become hard to ignore. You've gotten used to chats about date nights and engagements and, let's face it — they remind you of your single status, major. Instead of boohooing, take advantage of the situation with these four tips. Party of one has never sounded so good!

Celebrate Being Single

Sure, it's a cliché, but being around coupled friends when you're the only one without a plus one can get you down. Count the reasons why you love being solo (being spontaneous, for one), and remember them when you feel insecure about your relationship status. Above all, know that everyone is on their own relationship path, and comparing yours to that of your friends won't do you any good.

Don't Retreat

Try not to let the situation cause problems or resentment between you and your pals. Instead, find the silver lining. With all your friends attached, their significant others are bound to have some single friends. Make it a point to continue to hang out with them, especially in group settings — it's the best way to meet new people, after all.

Check more ways to deal after the break!

If it were up to us, every day would be Friendship Day. But a holiday once a year? We'll take it. In honor of the celebration this Sunday, gift your BFF something that will remind her of her childhood — after you send her funny Someecards and plan a special outing together, of course. Whether you grew up together or met in college, the sweet sentiment is still the same!

• Lisa Frank notebook ($8): It would be a sin not to include Lisa Frank in any throwback friend gift guide. Make her the source of office envy with this very awesome vintage notebook.
• Keychain ($49, originally $81): There's nothing like a braided keychain to remind her of the days she used to make lanyards with her eyes closed.
• BFF bracelets ($48): You're never — we repeat, never — too old to share a set of BFF bracelets with broken-heart charms.

Check out our entire nostalgic gift guide after the break!

Sunday marks Friendship Day; maybe it's time to freshen up your friendships? If you're in a bit of a friend rut or hope to improve your relationships, take a few simple steps to strengthen those connections. For advice on staying in touch, finding time, and making the most of special moments, take a look at these common friendship faux pas — and how to avoid them.

The faux pas: You're completely MIA.
The solution: Sure, life gets busy, but staying in touch doesn't have to be a full-time job. If your hectic schedule means you can't meet up for coffee or go out over the weekend, show your friend that you're thinking of her in a simpler way. Call her during your lunch break, text her a funny picture, or email her a quick update and let her know you'll follow up when you have more time on your hands. Even if you don't have lots of time, you can take advantage of the shorter bits of time you do have.

The faux pas: You flake on plans.
The solution: It's inevitable that every once in a while something comes up, and you'll have to ditch a friend date at the last minute — just don't turn it into a habit. Before you agree to a plan, take the time to be sure you can make it, and if you do need to cancel, call rather than text to show a little extra courtesy.

Keep reading for more ways to avoid friendship mistakes.

If a friend or co-worker is into you and you don't feel the same, it can be more than a little awkward to let him down. Whether he's a lifelong pal, an acquaintance you'll be seeing around, or a guy who works just a few cubicles away, that common ground can make turning him down feel impossible. Still, that's no reason to pretend you're into him just because it's easier. Instead, follow these tips to say no under even the trickiest of circumstances:

Evaluate the Relationship
Before you reject any date offers, take the time to step back and consider your approach. If you're feeling 50/50 on whether or not you're interested, think about what you'd gain or lose by giving him a shot. Is it worth going on a date to see if sparks fly? Would he feel better if you at least gave it a chance? Or is he the type who'd rather not go through the motions if you know you're not into it?

Don't Dillydally
It's never polite to wait days before responding, but it's especially rude when you've been asked out by someone you already know. No matter what kind of news you'll be passing along, be respectful and make a point to reply the same day.

Pick the Right Medium to Communicate
If it's a friend who's casually texted to ask you out, it's perfectly fine to text him your response. Dealing with a co-worker? Don't IM him from 20 feet away. Instead, muster the courage to say something face-to-face — he'll appreciate that you were up front with him, and you'll avoid the awkwardness of seeing him just after you've messaged him with a refusal.

Set the Postrejection Tone
Chances are, he's going to feel a bit blue after you've turned him down, so it's on you to establish a normal, easygoing vibe. Smile and make small talk, but don't go overboard and shower him with attention, because that'll only rub salt in the wound. People tend to mimic the way they're treated, so do your best to treat him like a friendly acquaintance and hopefully, eventually, he'll be able to rise to the occasion himself.

There are no better road trip partners than the ones who promise a darn good time. That could be your boyfriend (in which case you should check out our road trip essentials for couples) or your best girlfriends. If you're planning a ladies-only getaway this Fourth of July weekend or anytime this Summer, we've got you covered with items that will help you hit the road no matter what the destination. We promise you'll be laughing while riding in style and comfort the entire time.

• Air freshener ($3): The hard truth is that all those hours on the road are bound to produce a funky car feel; only the girls will get why you chose this quirky air freshener that's part dog, part Andy Warhol.
• Neck pillow ($20): Gift your girls comfy neck pillows for naptime and driver shift changes.
• Photo app ($1): You already know you'll be taking photos galore, so dress them up with the pretty scrapbook-like features of the A Beautiful Mess app.

Check out our entire list of road-trip essentials after the break!