Boy “Meets” Girl: Dating in a Virtual World [Infographic]

The internet has changed the way we do pretty much everything; how we catch up with our friends, how we run our businesses, it made many of us realize we didn’t need to rely on the traditional workforce because we could in fact run our own businesses and we could do it from our living rooms, or in my case, from a kitchen table. It has changed how and what we share with each other, taking the act of sharing a picture or a story with a friend and transformed that into the ability to share something with the world. It has changed how we gather information and inspiration, how we motivate ourselves, and how we meet a potential significant other.

Instead of meeting someone at school, at work, or seeking out mixers and speed dating events, we now have the ability to find the person of our dreams (fingers crossed) online. In fact, about 10% of the 54 million single people in the United States use a dating service to find a significant other, or at the very least, a date for Saturday night.

Check out the following infographic for fascinating statistics and information on what people are really looking for in a partner, about how long people who meet online spend in a courtship before getting married vs people who met traditionally and face-to-face first, and also some bits of information both serious and hilarious on relationships, love, sex, and the internet.

The Little Things Keep Romance Alive — Dr. Oetker Ristorante Pizza Review and Prize Pack Giveaway [Closed]

Just a little over a month ago, stories, advice, tips, and ideas from how to sweep our lovers off their feet to the specifics of planning romantic gestures both grand and simple were coming at us left and right. Every blog, magazine, and talk show host had something to say about how to spend Valentine’s Day. Yet the very next morning, our workloads, routines, multi-tasking, cleaning the house in our sweats, and everything else that makes up our every day lives was back in effect and the topic of romance was no longer on everyone’s collective minds. Love isn’t in the air solely during the month of February. Romance is something every relationship needs frequent doses of all year long.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the stresses and tasks that we all …

How to Carve Out Some Heart Time with Your Spouse

Raising a family is a very busy and often stressful time. With work, school, sports, family obligations, and social activities, often the best activity you do with your spouse is sleep! Taking time out to re-energize the bonds between the both of you is essential for your long-term happiness. Finding new and exciting adventures together will strengthen your bond and create lasting memories that you both will always cherish.

So, it’s time to get a sitter, friends or a family member to take the kids for the night or weekend, and set up a date for just the two of you. Even if this is only done once a year, there’s a variety of activities you and your spouse can do that are relaxing, stress-free, and all for you.

Breakfast in Bed or …

7 Steps to a Happy Marriage, a Guest Post by Jenna McCarthy

I am all about books that talk about people and relationships realistically. I think most everyone who is in a long-term relationship appreciates the refreshing, true-to-life, and therefore often hilarious outlook that these books bring, where you’re reading and suddenly you’re nodding your head or find yourself laughing hysterically because you can relate to the perspectives on life and love and on frustration and housework so much. So much. In fact, when this happens, I take the opportunity to read some choice segments to my partner, followed closely by “See? That’s what you do! You do that!”

Well, Jenna McCarthy’s soon-to-be-released book, If it Was Easy They’d Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon: Living with and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married, seems to be THAT. BOOK. I haven’t read it yet (although I will be soon and I’ll be posting a review, so be sure to check back for that!) but the book trailer alone was so, incredibly relateable. Here, take a look:

44 Free Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

This is a guest post by Mr. Free Stuff, a website that brings you the very best free samples and freebies for products and services and just about anything else that is free.

Do you see Valentine’s Day as just another manufactured holiday designed to separate you from your money? Do you consider yourself a romantic but refuse to lay out a pile of cash just to show you care?

Mr. Free Stuff doesn’t believe Valentine’s Day has to mean a fancy date, big dinner or an impressive gift. So we’ve compiled 44 free dates to help you and your loved one spend special time together without giving into the commercial hype.

1. Local art shows
Many cities have local art shows on a regular basis that are free to visit and some even …

A Not-So Happy, but Hilarious Valentine’s Day Special from FAIL Blog

Are you sick of hearing about Valentine’s Day? Are you apathetic or just begrudgingly bitter today? Have no fear! We have you Valentine’s Day-phobic folks all taken care of with this absolutely hilarious compilation of FAILs in romance from the very clever and never dull FAIL Blog.