We stuff ourselves during Thanksgiving, wear ugly sweaters come Christmastime, and ring in the New Year with a champagne toast. That's just how it's done. Similarly, ever since we were in pre-kindergarten, cards, flowers, chocolate and—depending on your luck—that One Special Person have marked Valentine's Day. While the days of those little cardboard Disney-princess Valentine's Day cards may be over (remember Martin's "I choo-choo-choose you" for Lisa on The Simpsons?), there are still traditions we practice. But do you know why Valentine's Day is the way it is? Like 'em or loathe 'em, here we explain the holiday's most popular … Read More

Long before Demi and Ashton ever went public, older women were on the prowl for younger lovers. Here, some notable women throughout history who had the stamina to keep up with younger men. Five Reasons Being A Cougar Rocks

1. Elizabeth I (Queen of England)
The Virgin Queen? Hardly. She may have never married, thus earning her this nickname, but Her Royal Highness never lacked companionship. Various upper-class Europeans vied for her hand in marriage, but this royal seemed to be a fan of the "no strings attached" policy. Her last courtship ended in 1581, when she was 48 … Read More

Elizabeth Gilbert, the contemplative yogi, pasta lover and author of Eat, Pray, Love, surprised her adoring fans in 2007 when rumors circulated that she'd married her beloved "Felipe," the man she falls in love with at the end of her 2006 memoir.

Gilbert's international adventures in Eat, Pray, Love were born of her divorce from her first husband, and the book follows Gilbert's efforts to find herself outside her perceived constraints of marriage and baby expectations. Finally, with the release of Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage (Viking), Gilbert's new book, we get the full story on Gilbert and … Read More

Newly engaged women flaunt their "rocks," Marilyn Monroe sang about "a girl’s best friend," and being "iced" is the style on the streets. Diamonds have become American icons of wealth and refinement, and while there’s no question that the little gems are something special—diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man—their status today has much more to do with marketing strategy than any inherent quality, and being aware of their history will help you sparkle with both intelligence and style.

Manufacturing Rarity
Edward Jay Epstein, journalist and author of The Rise and Fall of Diamonds: The Shattering of … Read More

That Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' story should evolve to include deeper, more sensual notes should come as no surprise. After all, she was the woman who introduced Chubby Checker's the twist to the White House.

When you enter into a relationship with a man you want to know every last detail about him. His health: Is everything in check? What's his history? His finances: Is he in the black? What's his savings account look like? Is he signed on to the 401(k)? But is asking for full disclosure okay or might it suggest that you may not fully trust your new partner. We'd say asking questions is always a good idea, within reason. Some bits of information, though, you'd do well to wait to trickle out.

Pop culture has construed them to be full-blown nights of drunken debauchery for which no one is held accountable for the sinful shenanigans that transpire. They are the infamous bachelor and bachelorette parties—when spouses-to-be are customarily subjected to wild partying with friends before "settling down" into a stage of expected monogamy.

Two couples made history this week when they got married in the most unexpected, albeit romantic, of all places.

If you're like us, you've wondered from time to time how this or that guy's tongue ended up in your mouth. And no, we're not talking about how a certain Air Supply song and a specific number of drinks led you to do something that you might feel compelled to deny the next day. Rather, we've wondered how the whole practice of kissing came about in the first place.

What is it exactly about receiving a bouquet of flowers that's so heartwarming? For practical purposes, the already decaying plants will wither into an eyesore within a week of reception. Yet, research shows gifting flowers—moreso than things like candles or fruit baskets—to be a surefire way to improve someone's mood.