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Breast Cancer Awareness Month Spotlight On: Lifetime's "Stop Breast Cancer for Life" Campaign

BuzzSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 05:30:00 PDT

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I'll be featuring people and products from pop culture that have to do with the disease - those who have beaten it, been touched by it, or are working toward finding a cure.

Today, the spotlight is on Lifetime Television, which has launched its 13th annual "Stop Breast Cancer for Life" campaign this month. The network has recruited several stars to record public service announcements about breast cancer awareness that will air throughout this month; Whoopi Goldberg, Reba McEntire, Fran Drescher, Daisy Fuentes and several NFL players are just a few of the stars involved.

The network also recruited R&B singer Mya - who became active in the breast cancer awareness community after her mother was diagnosed with the disease in 1998 - to record a special theme song for this year's campaign. The song, "My Bra," is based around the idea that we can be supportive, uplifting presences - er, "bras" - in each other's lives. The song will be featured in a new Lifetime movie, Matters of Life and Dating, starring Ricki Lake, who also has talked about the ways breast cancer has affected her.

Kudos to Lifetime for all the ways they're working to raise awareness. To watch a preview for Matters of Life and Dating featuring the Mya song, just

5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Paying For College

LearnVest — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:23 PDT

Paying for college is such a complex issue. LearnVest helps simplify it by answering some key questions in regard to paying tuition.

If you believe everything you read, then you might think you need to be a Rockefeller to have kids.

That, of course, isn't the case.

Yes, kids are expensive, and thinking about paying for a college education can be scary and frustrating . . . but that's where we come in.

As with everything else in life, figuring out what to do about your kid's college savings is all about the planning, says Stephany Kirkpatrick, CFP, LearnVest's director of financial planning. Depending on where you are in life right now and how old your kids are, you may have questions about how to set up a 529 plan (which is an education savings plan designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs), what to look for, and when to start saving.

If you're pregnant or have a newborn and are starting to think about this, then good for you! The earlier you get started socking away cash for their college, the easier it will be. You'll learn a lot in this article, but you should also check out our Baby on Board Bootcamp, which will tell you everything you need to know - financially - to be ready for a baby. It includes 529 advice, as well as financial tips on everything from putting together a will and picking out a life insurance policy to buying nursery basics.
If your kid is slightly older and you’ve done your research but haven’t yet started saving in a 529 plan, then first read the four mistakes to avoid when choosing a 529 plan, and then check out the different college savings plans available to you.
If this is the first you’re thinking about it, no matter your kid's ageI, then don't worry about it. You have to start somewhere!

Read on for more.

7 Money Mistakes Women Often Make

LearnVest — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:15:55 PDT

We all make mistakes - we're all human after all. LearnVest shares some of the common money mistakes that women often make so readers will learn not to make them, too.

Some of us handle our money flawlessly, perfectly, brilliantly, all of the time.

But most of us don't.

Most of us make mistakes here and there. We make some mistakes more than others, because of our personalities, or our upbringing . . . or sometimes even our gender.

It's ridiculous, but true.

We've heard it firsthand - from our readers. In fact, we went through hundreds of reader submissions and found examples of the most common stories that cross our desks every day.

Let's be clear: Not all women make these mistakes. Not all men avoid them. But in our experience, these are a few female financial problem areas that can lead to major debt and lots of stress.

RELATED: Are You a Social Shopper?

Ever bailed out an ex? Indulged in a little more retail therapy than you meant to? Or woken up one day and realized you didn't know as much as you thought you did about managing your money? You just might recognize yourself.

Of course, if you don't, good for you. We're just saying, bad money snafus happen to good people. But read on: We'll show you the top seven mistakes women make - and what to do instead.

Feeling Guilty

"When we were together, I let my ex stay with me rent-free until he found an apartment, lent him my furniture and paid for every date because I had a job and he didn't. When I lost my job, he paid for my rent for a few months and bills, etc. Now that we're broken up, he wants me to pay him back for the rent he insisted on covering. I am still on unemployment and barely getting by. I feel so guilty because we didn't end up as the forever couple and while I can't (nor would I . . . ) calculate all of my assistance getting him settled in NYC, he can quite easily."

A 2011 study from Eversave.com found that 67% of women have felt guilt about a purchase. But that's not the only opportunity for guilt: There's also staying in a job you feel guilty about abandoning, giving someone money because you feel guilty about their situation and, oh, doing the opposite of what you want when it comes to working after having children because you feel guilty about being a good mom (more on that here).

This guilt effect might not be limited to finances, either. Some studies suggest that women are more inclined than men to feel any kind of guilt. And we'd argue, more likely to bail out their exes, too.

Read on for more.

Link Time - Why Linda Lovelace Is Still Relevant

Annie Scudder — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:40:20 PDT

Porn star Linda Lovelace's 40-year-old legacy - The Daily Beast
10 signs your online date could lead to lasting love - YourTango
Why it doesn't matter if your college major is "useless" - College Candy
Disney princesses brought to life - theBERRY
Are you contemplating divorce? Take these 6 steps now - Huffington Post
One bride weighs in on why all the wedding stress is worth it - The Frisky
Why was this teacher fired for getting IVF treatment? - The Jane Dough
"Dealbreaker: I was his sugar mama" - GOOD
Birthday boy Channing Tatum's hottest shirtless moments onscreen - BuzzSugar

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: "Signal 30"

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:49:04 PDT

It's all about Pete Campbell on Mad Men this week, as we get a little more insight into what's making him so miserable. Though he's guilty of a few despicable acts, we also get to see Trudy in her best form, plus the added bonus of seeing Pete get put in his place in a very unexpected manner.

The Campbell comeuppance isn't the only twist: there's also an awkward kiss that takes place within the walls of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and some great zingers from Don. Is it just me, or is Don funnier than ever this season? Just another reason why I'm a fan of the Megan effect. Let's break it down when you

The company you keep: Despite his resistance, Don and Megan get roped into a dinner party at the Campbells' new suburban home at Trudy's urging. Don's the man of the hour, as Pete can't stop brownnosing, and Don comes to the rescue when the sink starts flooding. The real hilarity is that no one can remember poor Cynthia's name (Don gives a classic "Hello, you" when he arrives, and Megan even blurts out Cynthia's name during her "eureka" moment). It's a nice insight into Pete's seemingly perfect life, complete with an adoring wife, cute daughter, and of course, a brand-new stereo.
Hail to the king: We've known that Pete's been unhappy for quite some time, but his issues with both work and his home life come to a head this week. First off, he's taking driver's ed, but he's learning a lot more about a fellow teenage student than he is about the rules of the road. His blatant ogling is enough to make my skin crawl, but then he takes it up a notch by actually asking her out on a date. Multiple times. (Even she appears to be a bit weirded out by the situation). No matter though, because she finds herself a suitable lad her own age, and Pete turns to a hooker for a self-esteem boost, but more on that later. The real bottom line here comes from Pete himself, who says to Don, "I have nothing."
Big leagues: After a jolly good World Cup outing, Lane befriends a fellow Brit named Edwin, who's interested in using Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce to represent Jaguar. Even though he's not an account man, Lane wants to wine and dine Edwin on his own, and Roger even preps him for the dinner. Unfortunately, Lane can't deliver the goods, so Roger, Don, and Pete take over. They court Edwin with a lobster dinner, but he's got more sinister ideas on his mind. He asks the SCDP guys to show him a good time, which is essentially code for a prostitute party. Everyone wastes no time shacking up - except Don, who seems to be sticking to his guns and staying faithful to Megan. Everything seems to be well and good, until Edwin's wife finds some chewing gum in an, um, unfortunate area, and Edwin pulls the plug on working with SCDP.
Dukes up: Lane's furious about the guys going behind his back, and puts all the blame on Pete. Pete insults Lane in return and they settle the score with a legitimate fist fight right there in the meeting room. Bert, Don, and Roger can't help but watch as the two throw punches, and Lane eventually knocks Pete out. Pete's obviously mortified, and even Lane doesn't get much time to celebrate his victory, since he makes a fool of himself a few minutes later. When Joan comes in to talk about the situation, he makes a pass at her. Lucky for him, Joanie just sweeps it under the rug and it doesn't seem like it'll affect their friendship.
Writer's block: Ken and Peggy seem to be butting heads a little, until we learn that they've got a secret pact: if either of them leave, they'll bring the other one along. It's not a main focus of the episode, but it's definitely something that will likely pop up again later this season. What is a major focus of the episode is Ken's writing career. Posing as his alter ego "Ben Hargrove" (so clever, Kenny), Ken's been getting his sci-fi works published under the radar. At least he is until Cynthia spills the beans at the dinner party and Pete reports the information back to Roger in no time. Ken claims that he's giving up to "leave the writing to the writers," but it's clear that he's still indulging in his passion at the end of the episode - and perhaps using Pete as inspiration?

Were you surprised to see Lane and Pete come to blows? How much longer do you think Don can stay faithful?

Photo courtesy of AMC

5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Dating Style

Laura Marie Given — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 PDT

You're busy with all kinds of Spring cleaning, so why not spruce up your dating approach, too? 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 season, so boost your odds of meeting someone by following these five simple tips:

Sign up for a class. You're not going to meet someone if you're sitting around all day, so take the initiative and join a class of some kind. Whether it's a fitness class or a cooking workshop, you're bound to meet new people - and the more people you know, the more likely it is that you'll find a connection, so boost your odds by getting out there.
Stick to smaller groups. A giant crowd of females can be more than a little intimidating, so ease up on the estrogen and go out with just a few close pals instead. Smaller numbers mean less pressure, making it much easier for guys to approach you.
Host a get-together. Take matters into your own hands by throwing a casual party for your pals. Encourage them to bring other friends to help you expand your social circle. Keep things low-key - think wine and games, not extra loud dance music - to promote plenty of conversation.

Read on for more tips to help you meet someone.

Link Time - Is HBO's Girls the Voice of Our Generation?

Tara Block — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:13:00 PDT

Why HBO's Girls is not the voice of our generation but that's OK - GOOD
Zac Efron demos how to unhook a bra with one hand - The Frisky
Four ways to add laughter to your love life - YourTango
How to keep the guy friend who fell in love with you - CollegeCandy
A new study on how physical appearance affects long-term relationships - Huffington Post
Why getting women into STEM jobs matters - The Jane Dough
Four surprising secrets about men and dating from a wing girl - Glamour
Do you fantasize about other people during sex? - Em & Lo
Stuff we wish our boyfriend would wear - theBERRY
The working girl's guide to wedding planning - SavvySugar

Photo courtesy of HBO

16 Questions You Should Never Ask on a First Date

Laura Marie Given — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:00:00 PDT

First dates are awkward enough as-is - much less when you ask personal, inappropriate questions. There's a fine line between getting to know someone and digging a little too deep, so try to think before you speak. Don't want to make him uncomfortable? Steer clear of these questions to make date number two more likely:

Is Google right about you? A quick pre-date Google search is totally normal, but it's definitely not normal to bring up your findings. Curious about his football days? Mention your favorite sports team to steer the conversation in the right direction.

Who are you voting for? Bringing up political preferences is a major don't. If it's part of his career or the topic comes up naturally, go ahead and (very politely, very briefly) address it, then move on.

What's your "number"? Learning someone's sexual history is very important - once you're sleeping with them, that is. There's no need to raise the issue right away, though, so hold out until it's necessary.

How much do you make? You're trying to gauge how well you get along, not whether you want to hire him. Finance talk is rude and uncomfortable, so keep any career-based conversation on the surface level.

Do you still talk to your ex? Keep the past in the past. If kids or an ex-wife are involved, let him be the one to raise the topic.

Read on for more inappropriate first-date questions.

Meeting My Sperm Donor

The Good Men Project — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:50 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Ben Sommer, conceived through alternative insemination, is a young man now and tells the story of deciding to meet his donor.

I grew up in a middle-class home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with two loving parents, both of whom are women. My conception was perhaps the most organized and scientific miracle of the modern American family - my architecture, the dream of dozens of individuals conducting their work across thousands of miles.

Objectifying Ryan Gosling

I was conceived through alternative insemination. A donor submitted his sperm to the Sperm Bank of California in Oakland (TSBC). Later, it was sent to the Fenway Community Health Center in Boston. Since opening its doors in 1982, TSBC has helped families without the ability to conceive on their own to birth over 2,000 children. Two thirds of those have ended up, like me, being raised in a lesbian household. TSBC is also the first sperm bank to offer a donor-identity-release program, which allows children of alternative insemination access to their donors' information when they turn 18.

I am not as much an oddity as you might think. As of 2005, some 270,000 children in the United States had same sex-parents. We are a generation that is just now beginning to come of age and able to share our stories. This is mine.

Growing up in a lesbian household was much like growing up in any other family unit, I imagine: vacations to Cape Cod, parents working late and sometimes not, play dates with a diverse group of friends.

I never gave much thought to that mysterious figure across the country. I never questioned the fact that I didn't have a father. As far as I was concerned I didn't need one. Is having two moms really all that different than having a mom and a dad? Parents are parents, right? I didn't see a difference at the time. My parents didn't either - at least at first.

They decided to conceive through a donor, in part, to avoid the complications that a third parent would bring. Asking a close male friend to donate, like some couples have done, can create unforeseen consequences. In the past, there have been custody battles between the donor and the parents raising the child. This was the case with a friend of mine, whose parents arranged donation from a male family friend. With a semi-anonymous donor like the man my parents chose, it would be clear who my parents were. And it was.

That's not to say that it was smooth sailing. "When we first learned you were going to be a boy, we really panicked," my mother told me recently. "Who's going to teach him to throw a ball? We didn't have many male friends. There was even basic stuff, like who's going to teach him to pee standing up. That doesn't come naturally."

Read the rest of the story below.

Jennifer Westfeldt on Relationship Inspiration For Friends With Kids

Tara Block — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:20:00 PST

The writer, director, and star of romantic comedy Friends With Kids, Jennifer Westfeldt, recently shared with us her relationship inspiration for the film (which also stars her real-life partner, Jon Hamm) and her advice for balancing family life with a romantic relationship. The movie centers on two friends, played by Adam Scott and Jennifer, who decide to have a baby together without being in a relationship. But it also features several couples in various stages of life dealing with family, sex, and relationship struggles many of us can relate with. Here's what Jennifer told us about her inspiration:

The couple dynamics in the movie and relationship dialogue come off as very real. Did you draw from you own life?

Jennifer: I think that certainly the film represents a lot of what I've observed. I mean so many people in my life at this point have made that profound life change and transition to becoming parents. And I think everybody handles it a little differently, everybody sort of just changes differently. It was really a tapestry of all of those things that I've observed, and then I just added make believe to it. And certainly none of the people are really based on real people we really know. It's more about observing trends and then putting those trends into various imagined characters.

Do you have advice for couples who are trying to balance family life with kids with keeping their romantic relationship strong?

Jennifer: I don't have kids yet, so I can't know what that really unbelievable change feels like. But certain friends report that they always have a date night, that they always make time for each other. And I think that that's important. It's such a game-changing situation to have a child. Especially in that first year, I feel that's when they're really not sleeping and really not ready for life to be just incredibly different. But we do have friends who just make it a point, no matter what, every Saturday night, even if it's an hour and a half to get a babysitter.

And watch the full Jennifer Westfeldt interview on BuzzSugar!