Whether you're planning your hostess gifts for a Thanksgivukkah dinner party with friends or planning ahead for Christmas, we've found a variety of options to suit the entertainer with vintage style. From home goods with classic packaging to retro barware to beautiful coffee-table books, these nostalgic picks are sure to please the hostess who loves Mad Men or hopes to channel her inner pinup girl. Click through to shop our favorite retro-inspired hostess gifts for every occasion!
The buzzed-about Fifty Shades of Grey erotic book series and film-to-be offers up a plethora of Halloween costume options, both funny and sexy. So we've compiled all the must-have items for a Fifty Shades of Grey-inspired Halloween costume — whether you plan to dress as author E L James, or the story's protagonist, Anastasia Steele. Hoping your plus-one will sport a Christian Grey costume? We've found the best accessories for that outfit, too.
There are plenty of sexy toys, of course, but diehard fans will recognize some of our more obscure picks, too: Anastasia's plum dress, red sheets as an ode to the red room of pain, Christian's favorite champagne, and a toy helicopter to represent their transportation of choice. Click through to shop the best items for a Fifty Shades of Grey costume!
— Additional reporting by Tara Block
It's Oct. 3, which means it's Mean Girls Appreciation Day, as if we needed a day dedicated to one of the best movies of our lifetime (slight exaggeration). But seriously, the hilarious film has some poignant lessons on growing up female and being true to yourself, thanks in large part to writer Tina Fey. And The Plastics are even heading to Broadway with a Mean Girls musical on the horizon. To celebrate the timelessness of Mean Girls, we're sharing our favorite lessons on womanhood inspired by the film. The quotable 2004 movie features quite a few gems about friendship, safe sex, and dating your cousin, so take a look for a good laugh!
— Additional reporting by Tara Block
If you and your groom are all about football, you can carry that passion into your wedding day without having to sacrifice style. We're taking a look at couples who brought football-inspired touches to their nuptials in a creative, thoughtful way — no cheesy pigskins in sight. Hoping to celebrate your love for the game with a few special details? Huddle up with your honey to see football-inspired venues, flowers, paper goods, and more!
With Oktoberfest officially under way, it's time to enjoy your favorite German brews — and swoon over some of the hottest German men in the spotlight. From sexy actors and gorgeous models to hot, talented Olympians, we've rounded up the best-looking reasons to celebrate German culture this month. Craving a bit of eye candy? Take a moment to check out these handsome German men — prost (cheers)!
It's Singles Week, so why not spruce up your dating approach? From new hobbies to a fresh, self-loving attitude, a little bit of change can go a long way — both for your confidence and for your dating habits. Love is in the air this Fall, so boost your odds of meeting someone by following these five simple tips:
With Milan Fashion Week underway, it's time to celebrate some Italian amore by streaming these romantic Netflix and Amazon Instant Video picks. While you may not be taking a romantic vacation to Milan, you and your other half (or your best friends) can escape with a cozy date night and one of these instant streaming movies. From classic films from the '50s to contemporary indie movies, these Italian romance films are sure to get you in the Fashion Week spirit, whether you're in the mood for a comedy or a passion-filled drama.
Every situation may have its exceptions, but when it comes to a first date, there are certain rules everyone should follow. First dates are uncomfortable enough to begin with, so we're sharing advice on fashion, conversation, and date-night etiquette to help you ease the awkwardness. In honor of National Singles Week, take a look at these GIF-able moments to learn the dos and don'ts of a first date!
New York's busy, taxi-filled streets are the setting for so many classic love stories, and with the city's Fashion Week in full force, we're filling up our instant queue with all the best, most romantic movies based in NYC. There's Marilyn Monroe's infamous standing-over-the-sewer scene in The Seven Year Itch, Audrey Hepburn's iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, plus contemporary rom-coms and plenty of cool, quirky indie films. Open Netflix or Amazon Instant, check out our picks, and get ready for a romantic, New York-inspired movie marathon.
Students are returning to the BO-filled halls of school this time of year, and it's getting us nostalgic about our own high school days. Those four years were either your most awkward or the best time of your life (maybe a little of both). Either way, there was plenty to love about those days. Graduation season has us reminiscing about our favorite high school memories, like passing notes, pep rallies, all-nighters, and prom. For us, high school fell in the late '90s and early '00s: we listened to Discmans on the bus, recorded Dawson's Creek on VHS tapes, and covered our walls with posters of *NSYNC. Check out the 100 things we loved most about our teen years, then share what you loved most about high school in the comments!
— Additional reporting by Tara Block
If you and your spouse-to-be are devoted academics, high school sweethearts, or just nostalgic about your No. 2-pencil days, give your big day some scholastic charm with these creative ideas. Bookish accents, cheeky apple details, and library-themed decor will help you channel that academic vibe. Other gold star picks include chalkboard backdrops, fancy bulletin boards, and paper airplane details. Hoping to use school as your main inspiration? Learn how with these bright ideas.
No matter who ended the relationship, a breakup is never easy — and while nothing can erase the pain entirely, these simple steps (and a good breakup playlist) may lessen the blow. When you're struggling to let go of an ex, it's tempting to turn to ultimatums like "I'll never talk to him again," but those black-and-white plans aren't always realistic. Rather than setting strict rules for yourself and beating yourself up if you break them, try these strategies to move on:
If there's a passion that you put on the back burner during your relationship, now's the time to pick it back up again. Been missing book club lately? Wishing you had more time for exercise or a cooking class? Erase "date night" from your calendar and fill that time with your favorite hobbies instead.
Relationships don't just exist in the real world anymore; now they live on the Internet, too. Luckily, the KillSwitch app ($1) is making it easier than ever to cut online ties and keep you from getting emotional every time his name pops up. Once you've downloaded the app, it will remove all the pictures, videos, and status updates tagged with your ex's name, then store the photos in a hidden album in case you want to see them later.
It can be hard to clear your head when you're surrounded by all the people and places you shared with your ex, so give yourself an emotional break by taking a trip or spending time in another neighborhood. Without all those physical triggers nearby, you'll find it easier to think about something else.
Boredom is your biggest breakup enemy, so make a point to call your friends and schedule plenty of fun events that will keep you busy. Even if it's just a coffee date or a nightly walk, those little efforts to stay active can help you shift your focus for the time being.
Don't feel bad about wallowing every once in a while. It's OK to lean on your friends and family in the wake of a breakup, and if you reach out when you need someone to talk to, you'll have a better chance of finding closure and moving on.
Jane Austen created some of the most rich, complicated female characters in literary history, which is one of the reasons she's so celebated, even today. The film Austenland, out this weekend, looks into the fandom of the famous author. In honor of Jane Austen's return to the spotlight, we've gathered thoughtful, witty, and poignant lines from her greatest leading ladies like Pride and Prejudice's biting protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet. We could all take a cue in British charm and wit from the likes of Emma Woodhouse, Mary Crawford, and Marianne Dashwood. So let's step into the slippers of Jane Austen's heroines to find out what they had to say about romance, wealth, friendship, and more!
With jokes about boy bands, Saved by the Bell, and American Girl Dolls, these hilarious '90s-themed someecards had us at "Gushers." If you're regularly rehashing the decade of the Spice Girls, Oregon Trail, and Jonathan Taylor Thomas (who's looking as fine as ever), send your friends one of these witty someecards!
If you're looking for some instant gratification in the romance department (it is National Romance Awareness Month, after all), then take a look at these five simple tips to improve your relationship today. You don't always need big, sweeping changes to feel closer to your guy — sometimes it's about the buildup of small, thoughtful gestures. Hoping to amp up the romance in your relationship? Follow these five steps to strengthen your connection right away:
Do something sweet, just because.
It's nice to be thoughtful on special occasions, but if you treat him in some small way on a random day, then it'll feel all the more meaningful. Stick a funny note in his work bag, book a surprise dinner reservation, or take care of that errand that's been stressing him out — any quick, considerate act to show him that you care.
Dig deeper.
Early in your relationship, you probably had plenty of long, deep conversations that brought you closer. As time goes on, it's only natural that the talk evolves from personal stories to everyday anecdotes, which can feel far less intimate. Strengthen your connection by engaging in thoughtful, intelligent conversations about the news, that book you're reading, or that fascinating story your co-worker shared.
Turn off the technology, and tune in.
If you're constantly checking your email, texting a friend, or tapping away at your laptop when you're in his company, then chances are he feels more than a little ignored. Allot a certain amount of time each day to tweet, surf the web, and tackle your to-dos so that when you're together, you're truly paying attention to him.
Make a point to say "thanks."
Take a step back to consider where he's been putting effort into your relationship. Then do what you can to show him that you're grateful. Has he been coordinating the plans? Reaching out to your friends? Organizing fun nights out? Everyone loves to feel appreciated, so remember to acknowledge those extra efforts.
Shift your focus.
When you're together, be together. Sure, you may want to watch TV or read a book or catch up on some work, but even if that's the case, you should set aside a short period of time when your focus is all on him. He'll appreciate the attention, and you'll feel far more connected.
Planned or unplanned, running into an ex can be more than a little awkward. Luckily, we're breaking down some key dos and don'ts to help you navigate the tricky interaction. With the help of hilarious pop-culture GIFs from Girls, Saved by the Bell, Full House, and more, we're sharing some smart (and sarcastic) hints for your next run-in with the ex. Nervous you'll see an ex-boyfriend at an upcoming event? Prepare with these witty tips!
If you've ever wondered how hookups affect you, what people think of playboys, or whether "booty calls" have guidelines, then rest easy knowing science has the answers. With the help of a few studies, we're taking a look at what research says about casual sex. Take a look at these surprising findings on everything from women's sexual power to the real meaning of "friends with benefits"!
College Hookups Are Good For Women
Feeling bad about your no-strings-attached relationship in college? Don't! In 2011, researchers at North Carolina State University found that casual sex allows women more sexual power than classic dinner dates. The study doesn't look down on dating or promote reckless hookups, but the data shows that in casual-sex situations, students are more open to women taking the sexual lead, while in more formal dating environments, they slip into traditional gender roles.
Guys Get the "Slut" Label, Too
It looks like no one's free from sexual judgment these days. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago studied data from over 19,000 college students and found that about half the subjects lose respect for anyone who has sex with "lots of people" — regardless of gender. Findings showed that 48 percent of students judged men's and women's sexual activity equally, 12 percent judged women more harshly than men, and 13 percent judged men more harshly than women.
Casual Sex Has Rules
A researcher at the University of Ottawa found that there's a specific code to identify different sexual relationships. Looking at people ages 18 to 27, she found that the four most popular casual sex terms are "booty call," "friends with benefits," "one-night stand," and "f*ck buddy." Each term has a different meaning — for instance, a "booty call" usually involves a late-night text, while "friends with benefits" involves two people who were friends first.
Whether you're single, looking, or in a relationship, these tips will guarantee a hot end to the Summer — in more ways than one. Hoping to spice things up while the weather's still warm? With ideas to help you boost your confidence, invigorate your dating life, and heat things up in the bedroom, we're offering nine easy ways to round out a fun, sexy Summer. Take a look at these creative ideas to make this your hottest season yet!
The dating game can feel like one giant maze, but you don't need to tip-toe your way through the process. If you find that you're regularly apologizing to your friends, your family, or your co-workers about how and who you date, it's time to ease up on yourself. To boost your confidence and feel better about dating, take a look at these five common dating habits you don't need to apologize for:
Read on for more dating habits you can feel good about.
If the dating scene is starting to feel stale, now's the time to switch things up and reenergize your love life. It's easy to get caught up in the same routine — especially with something that can be as daunting as dating. But if you're feeling just plain bored with romance, then take a look at these five quick tips to spice up the dating game:
