Search Results

by Stephanie E. & Lisa K. Stephenson In the glittering realm of Hollywood, where love stories are often as captivating as those on the silver screen, the quest for romantic companionship takes a unique turn. Image Credit: Amanda Rose Enter the realm of celebrity matchmakers, the architects behind the scenes who orchestrate the romantic entanglements of the stars. In a world where privacy is a coveted commodity, these matchmakers navigate the intricate web of Hollywood relationships, orchestrating encounters that captivate tabloids and fans alike. Beyond the glitz and glam, these Cupids of the celebrity sphere play a pivotal role in shaping the narratives of Hollywood’s elite, influencing not just love stories but also the public perception of the stars themselves. This is the fascinating domain where the business of love meets the allure of stardom. Amanda Rose, the F ounder and CEO of Prestige Connections —a luxury matchmaking agency, the Dating Boutique, and SwoonMe Events, is among the Cupids of the celebrity atmosphere. Now married and the mother of three children ages 21, 20, and 16 months old, Rose met her now-husband on Bumble seven years ago. Related articles: Print Story | Going Strong: Justin and Hailey Bieber Related articles: Exclusive: Tasha K., Potential Successor to Icon, Wendy Williams “I decided to swipe right and keep him for myself, and the rest is history. We immediately hit it off.” It’s no surprise that many men and women have opted to join a dating app on their quest for love; however, it has been noted that the elevated use of algorithms has made it increasingly difficult to find much success as of late. But with a divorce under her belt and a desire for more children, Rose remained steadfast, deciding not to give up, as being a wife and mother was her dream even as a child growing up. “I’ve been in business since 2012. I was married to my ex-husband at the time. I had suspicions he was online dating and went looking for his profile. As I was searching for his profile, I thought, ‘Wow, these guys look scary! There should be a business that helps people look dateable.’ Soon after, I found my ex’s profile, and needless to say, we got a divorce. Related articles: Print Exclusive: 'Love & Hip Hop's' Mariahlynn Related articles: Exclusive: ‘Xscape's’ R&B Singer, Tamika Scott I went from being a stay-at-home mom to a single mom overnight and needed to provide for my children. So, I took that little idea and launched my first business called the Dating Stylist. I made over online profiles to help people look dateable and get more dates. Then, an international matchmaking agency asked me to be their regional coordinator, but their process was not personalized enough, so I branched off on my own and created my celebrity matchmaking agency.” Full article, Winter 2024 Issue

by Dakota Martin Author Lisa K. Stephenson has done it again. In 2019, I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa while attending the Decatur Book Festival , very early in her career. At that time, she had written about eight books, all of which were present on her display table. At first, my sister and I were taken aback, believing that she was showcasing other authors alongside herself, but we were amazed to learn that all of those books were written by her. Related articles: Best Gay Romance Novels: 'The Yellow Brownstone' Book Review Related articles: Alyssa Cole: 'When No One is Watching' Book Review Lisa was very young and humble; I remember making a light joke, “Wow! Were you writing since you were in the womb?” We all had a good laugh. I was very proud to see a young Black woman, so talented and passionate about her work. Not only that, but Lisa was so kind, taking the time to discuss in great detail each of her books and the inspiration behind them. My sister and I purchased one of every book. Over the course of two months, I read through the novels and have kept up with Lisa ever since via Facebook; she gained a lifelong fan in me from that day on. I’ve since gone on to review a number of novels for various publications, such as Refinery29 , BuzzFeed , and Bustle . One day, while moving, I came across one of her novels, Even My Hair is Mad , buried on one of my bookshelves, which prompted me to do a quick Google search—I wanted to see what my girl has been up to. That’s when I discovered The Fiona Gold Books  website, and I was blown away! I got in touch immediately, received a sample copy, and read it cover to cover in a matter of seven days. Not only that, but I was able to download the accompanying soundtrack as well, and I just had to write about it. Amelia, her marketing manager, asked me to publish this here on She’s SINGLE , and so, here we go. Related articles: How Long Does it take to Publish a Book ? Related articles: It's Not Cliché At All: 'Don't Let Her Stay' by Nicola Sanders Book Review MY REVIEW Fantasy novels have an interesting way of capturing our attention because, for us readers, they provide a means to escape our daily lives. The way an author can meticulously create a fictional world while seamlessly blending it into our reality is surely a gift. The Snows of Khione  takes place 400 years after the artificial intelligence war, which I immediately found quite intriguing. We’re all familiar with the Tesla bots and Cybertrucks now making waves and headlines, slowly integrating themselves into our society. Here, Lisa takes this information and catapults us centuries ahead, showcasing the harm and almost irreparable damage they’ve done to our civilization. As a result, humans, to avoid being on the brink of extinction, decide to mate with the Modiri. The Modiri in the novel are known as mermaids; however, Lisa never uses that term throughout the book, which is a bold choice. The fantasy elements are palpable in every way, and Lisa does not rely on overused vocabulary to label her characters, which I found to be quite refreshing. We are experiencing a new type of being and a whole new world (no pun intended). Related articles: Messy Marriage? Millie Has You Covered: 'The Housemaid' Book Review Related articles: Manuscript or Letter? Did She Really Do It: 'Verity' Book Review As the novel progresses, we learn that the story is set in the United Kingdom, which I also found interesting, considering that A.I. has seen rapid growth in America today compared to other countries. But as the novel unfolds, we learn why this is (I won’t spoil it here). This further demonstrates that Lisa thoroughly spent time developing this book and was intentional about each and every detail, which, as a reader, I deeply appreciate. We are then introduced to some of our characters: Emaline, Fiona, Melissa, and Kovos. The family of four is considered destitute, working alongside other hybrid men and women in a small town called Sattle. Our main character, however, is Fiona, a fourteen-year-old girl who learns of these mysterious beings through the shapeshifting witch, Fanira. Once she gets wind of the world beneath the waves, her curiosity mounts as she wonders about the symbol on the rear of her foot—the one only she, her eldest sister, and their father, Kovos, share. Both Emaline and their younger sister, Mary, are without this branding. Related articles: Lisa K. Stephenson Unveils Her Tenth Novel "The Snows of Khione" — First Book in ... Related articles: Liberty Brought Us Here: Book Review But once her inquiries become too overwhelming, Fanira introduces Fiona to the Modiri, showing the young girl that she is, in fact, a member of the underwater seas and possesses the ability to transform from human to fish in a matter of seconds. At first, this transformation startles Fiona so much that she vows to almost never return to the waters. However, as we delve deeper into the novel, we learn that the peaceful, perfunctory life of the hybrids is soon to be interrupted when the Embers stop falling from Modiri Mountain, granting the monarchy and the rest of the world access to highly advanced medicine that is harnessed and sold globally. Something beneath the waters has put a stop to their money mules. The finned Modiri (Modiri born on land but not allowed into civilization) were taken to a mountain and kept there. It was discovered that Embers would fall from their fins, which later proved to be highly profitable. Now, with no Embers, an unwell King, and a desperate kingdom, the overtaking of the hybrids is set into motion. However, there are many twists, turns, and revelations along the way that make this book hard to put down—it is undoubtedly a page-turner. Related articles: In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Bold, Be Lipstick Red! Related articles: 'The Queen V' by Dr. Jackie Walters: The Official Lady Parts Guide While this novel holds elements we are accustomed to reading within the genre, there is a refreshing and pulsating take that feels entirely new. The story is immaculate and never predictable, and the characters are beautifully developed, both on land and in the seas. When we meet Khione, the King of the Snow Kingdom, we are thrust into a world that is magical. Honestly, a moment shared between one of the Lorelies and Kovos brought me to tears! The novel also utilizes new names to distinguish the land characters from their forms underwater. For example, Kovos is his human name, but he’s Kalkisis in the underwater kingdoms. Fiona is Naida, Melissa is Melusine, and so forth. This tradition started when the first Lorelies were sent ashore, and humans could not pronounce their names, so they gave them “human” names instead. Related articles: Late Bloomer Related articles: Ishana Night Shyamalan's, 'The Watchers' Film Review This book is hands down among my top five favorite books of all time, and as a Black woman, I can more than appreciate another Black woman taking the time to develop an exemplary story where the mystical creatures are Black with textured hair. Ceto, the Goddess of the Dangers of the Sea, is depicted with 4C hair and a wife. Lisa did a wonderful job representing Black women with this novel—our creativity, our passion, our intelligence, our professionalism, and, more importantly, our physicality . This is the true definition of representation and should be a gift for all Black and brown girls around the world. THE SOUNDTRACK My oh my, what a great body of work. The soundtrack features five songs: Hello , Who I Am , Shells by the Sea , No Limit , and December . As per Lisa, “I wanted the soundtrack to showcase Fiona’s journey—from a young girl curious about her underwater lineage, to battling identity, to acceptance. The songwriters I selected for this project are Black and talented. I wanted there to be elements of R&B, soul, pop, and orchestra.” Related articles: Hailey Bieber Stuns in Paris with a Leggy Look Related articles: Q&A: Jennifer Keitt, Uplifting a Community of African American Children All of these elements are present on this album. I cannot wait until the album is available on streaming services because I will be purchasing the songs as well. Lisa is a class act through and through, no doubt about it—and no, I am not being biased. I could have easily declined this write-up if I felt the work was underwhelming, but to be honest, I leaped at the chance to work on this review due to my overwhelming satisfaction and surprise at how well this body of work came together. To Lisa’s team, I want to say thank you, and to Ms. Lisa herself, I want to thank you. I will be gifting this novel to my granddaughters this Christmas and will play the soundtrack on Christmas morning.

by Riley Cook There’s a trend circulating around TikTok that goes, “Tell him you can’t pay your half of the rent/mortgage this month,” meant to test a partner’s reaction to the news. Typically, this trend targets men, because let’s face it, most men are paying the majority of the bills—well, in some cases. One user suggested that women in 50/50 relationships should try this prank and record their partner's reaction. Unsurprisingly, the comments were in shambles, with many seeking "she earns more than me advice" to navigate similar situations in real life. Related articles: Should Couples Split Bills 50/50? Related articles: Types of Financial Planning Most women comfortably shared that they are in 50/50 relationships and do not wish to start an unnecessary argument with their partners. A while back on The Joe Budden Podcast , former rapper and now host Joe Budden decided to call his girlfriend and inform her that he wouldn’t be able to pay the rent for the month. This was a prank to test her reaction. Needless to say, she passed the test because she reassured him it was perfectly fine and that she had no problem covering the rent. Easy, right? But while this may seem simple enough, it’s not unusual for most couples to split expenses 50/50, especially if the woman earns more or if the man does not view himself as a traditional provider. Men still outearn women in most blue-collar jobs, but women are slowly bridging the wage gap in white-collar or corporate roles. Related articles: How to Prove Financial Abuse Related articles: How to Survive Financially as a Single Mom The Netflix film Fair Play  depicts this dynamic perfectly, as Emily beats her fiancé, Luke, out of an office promotion he was confident would be his. Luke’s fragile ego does not take the news well, and throughout the film, you can see him slowly beginning to resent her. While this is not uncommon in relationships, it can be difficult to navigate when one partner starts to outearn the other. This shift can be a blow to the male ego, sometimes leading him to distance himself, cheat, or become emotionally or physically abusive toward his partner. But first, we need to understand why this happens.

by Danielle Wright The topic of going 50/50 in relationships has long been a debate among men and women—mostly African American men and women, and understandably so. Image Credit: Tom Kelley Archive / Getty Images However, since the rise of "influencer and content creator" culture, this conversation has only increased, with lines now clearly drawn on which side men and women fall. Many women are perfectly fine with splitting the bills, while others are completely against it, citing it as a roommate dynamic versus a romantic partnership. The men who deem this setup as appropriate and necessary for their household do so by justifying it as " Relationships shouldn’t be all about the money ." But what if women said, "Relationships shouldn’t be all about sex"? Would men share in their sentiments? Security is to women what sex is to men; one cannot exist without the other, and now that women can provide security for themselves, men seem to resort to manipulation tactics such as: MOVING THE GOALPOSTS Moving the goalposts is a metaphor derived from goal-based sports, meaning to change the rule or criterion of a process while it is still in progress. Men have seamlessly managed to trick women into believing that having sex without a relationship, children without marriage, and splitting bills are all forms of love and the criteria for being considered a good woman. They say if a woman does all of this, she will be marriage material, and then when she does, the goal moves again; she is then to emotionally support him, handle everything in the household, parent his children, allow him to be unfaithful, and forgive him for his transgressions. Then she will have proven that she is ride or die and worthy of marriage , that is until he thinks of another reason to not give in to her "demands." All unbeknownst to her that he never intended on marrying her in the first place. Related articles: Money Imbalance In Relationships Related articles: What to Keep In Your Wallet to Attract Money LOVE BOMBING Love-bombing is the starting phase of many abusive relationships. The manipulator, usually a narcissist, bombards their partner with love, attention, and gifts to gain control of them. Usually, by the time this wears off, the victim will stick around hoping for their partner to return to being this kind, gentle, and loving person they were in the beginning. The victim is usually trapped in the relationship at this point, whether they've become financially dependent or have a child. Either way, the other partner has taken control. Dating and marrying a traditional man are not synonymous with control. Women oftentimes believe that if they do not contribute financially to their household, they are taking a risk of not being able to have a say or being left with absolutely nothing if their relationship or marriage were to dissolve. But this is the furthest from the truth. GUILT TRIPPING Guilt tripping is often designed to manipulate other people by preying on their emotions and feelings of guilt or responsibility. Many men have collectively made it a point to make women feel bad for wanting to be a SAHW, SAHG, or a SAHM. Asking questions like, “What do you bring to the table?” and before you know it, women are changing their tune to adjust their way of thinking, believing men to be right, “Women shouldn’t bring nothing at all to the relationship.”

by Danielle Wright The simple answer is that you’re using dating apps incorrectly. Online dating is not ideal; it is not the place you go thinking you’re going to meet your soulmate or “the one”. It’s a practice to get you into the habit of putting yourself out there. Many will agree that most people would prefer to meet someone in person, at work, or a party and let the relationship develop over time. A large portion of successful relationships happened through mutual friends and proximity—networking. If you’re having trouble with dating apps, stick around to find out why. TROUBLE FOR WOMEN I want to start with the ladies because the canceling of coffee dates has left me perturbed. There is a thing called situational appropriateness which is the concept of determining what cultural or linguistic behavior is most appropriate for the situation. There are an uncomfortable amount of TikTok self-proclaimed relationship gurus who, if you listen to them will keep you swiping for the rest of your life. Men on dating apps for the most part are looking for long-term committed relationships. Of course, some are cheating on their significant others or just looking for a good time, but those degenerates are usually easy to spot. Women have to understand that because men take on all the risk with sometimes no reward, if they are serious about finding someone special they will proceed with caution. Related articles: Dating a Nice But Boring Guy... Related articles: Becoming Celibate After Being Sexually Active This method may include a coffee date, a museum, or a walk in the park. Each of those is perfectly fine when you’re meeting someone off of a dating app for the first time. Please, let’s lower the expectation that a stranger is supposed to send you a Black car, make reservations at a five-star restaurant, and pay a bill that amounts to well over $350. You are a stranger….from an app. Men who meet women organically are more likely to splurge on a first date versus men who meet women online. It’s just the reality of the situation because again, he assumes all the risk—financial, physical, and mental. The physical risk is already taken care of when you meet someone in person, so in this case a man can let his guard down and plan a nice date. Also, with dating apps, it’s all superficial. You’re swiping right or left based on a person’s photos and the descriptions they write—if any. There isn’t much to go off of for the man to properly lead, which is why a small, cost-efficient date is considered situationally appropriate. Women, stop spending days or weeks messaging a man on an app. Suggest meeting him for coffee or taking him up on the offer after the max, ten messages. During the meet-up, you should express what your standards are and remember to present yourself well. How you carry yourself is very significant. If you’re looking for a relationship, tell him. If you’re used to nice restaurants and flowers, tell him. If you have hobbies, tell him. If your goal is to be a kept woman at some point in life, tell him. Lay it out on the first meet-up so when he follows up with the first date your expectations can now be higher. This potential suitor has felt you out, he’s shown himself to be physically attracted to you and so, the ball is in his court to wine and dine you. Related articles: How to Date An Extrovert When You're An Introvert Related articles: Signs a Woman Wants to Sleep With You This is where many women go wrong…either they or the person they’ve matched with does not look like their pictures, the man is boring, he’s cheap, or worse, he begrudgingly plans a date. Now you’re all dressed up and sitting at this beautiful restaurant not having a good time and feeling uncomfortable because you’ve taken the advice of self-proclaimed dating gurus who convinced you that you should coerce a stranger to take you on a $350 date. Go figure. TROUBLE FOR MEN Blame other men for ruining it for other men. Men seem to have a problem holding one another accountable. Dating apps for many men have become a way to cheat without getting caught. I remember matching with a guy, who then added me on Instagram. Afterward, he would message me several times per day and get upset when I took too long to reply. Low and behold, whilst scrolling I saw a photo pop up on my timeline of him and his girlfriend vacationing in Puerto Rico. No, she was not a new girlfriend, they were celebrating an anniversary. If more men were serious about looking for and wanting a long-term commitment it would reduce the amount of women who have since decided dating apps are a waste of their time. According to statistics, men outnumber women 9:1 on Tinder, 7:3 on Bumble, and 5:1 on Match. Not only have women shown they are less interested in dating apps, many are opting to stay single. Related articles: Why is Dating So Hard Related articles: How To Tell If Someone Masturbates The average experience for a woman is unpleasant when dealing with a man, especially as women scroll through apps like TikTok and Twitter where they see women coming out in droves to talk about how shitty their partner is—cheating, lying, weaponized incompetence, financial instability and more. Men have the issue of not knowing if a woman is telling the truth about her appearance on an app, and women have the issue of not knowing if the man she’s going to match with is in a relationship, a hobosexual (a person who has sex with strangers to prevent homelessness), or a convict. So, if you’re having a hard time with dating apps consider this very real possibility...it could be time to delete. Attend events and meet women/men in person among your circle of friends. I recommend starting there.

by Danielle Wright & Lisa K. Stephenson It can come as no surprise that many of us turn to the universe or superstitions to answer some of the most puzzling questions, that science, well, falls short. If the palm of your hand, feet or toe itches, there could be a hidden meaning. If your eye twitches, there could be a reason for that, too. Not every sign or feeling can be explained away with science. Sometimes the universe sends us signs that we just can’t ignore. The thought that the universe can be communicating with us is exciting – using both geometry and numbers. Did you know every number has a particular vibration or energy associated with it? Each number carries a meaning that your subconscious mind can perceive. Related articles: Can a Soulmate be a Friend? Related articles: What is a Karmic Relationship? One of the most talked-about communication methods is of course numbers, followed by animals and intuition. Animals are part of the giant oneness of nature and sometimes, the universe will use them to communicate. A dog for example can be a harbinger of something terrible that is going to happen. Maybe your pet refuses to stay in a particular room, be around a certain individual, or even barks at nothing. Well, nothing is something and there is always a reason for your animals’ “bizarre” behavior. Don’t write it off. Numbers are the most popular and for good reason. Those who are into astrology and numerology rely heavily on numbers as a way of understanding what the universe has to say. “I recently learned that my life path number is one. Which means leader, rulership, influencer and authority. This was interesting considering I am an entrepreneur and reading further into the life path number I found many things to be true of my overall personality.” Serial Entrepreneur and Author, Lisa K. Stephenson said. IN NUMEROLOGY THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO EACH NUMBER : 2 – Opposites, Balance, Extremes, Femininity 3 – Creativity, Groups, Arts, Imagination, Fun 4 – Logic, Reason, Intelligence, Endurance 5 – Pleasure, Adventure, Travel, Human Senses 6 – Love, Romance, Sex, Loyalty, Relationships 7 – Occult, Mystic, Paranormal, Spirituality 8 – Drive, Ambition, Enterprise, Focus 9 – Wisdom, Charity, Activism, Understanding HERE IS HOW YOU CAN CALCULATE YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER : Say your birthday is October 22, 1980, or 10-22-1980. Step 1: Reduce the month From the number 10, you add 1 + 0 and the result is 1. Step 2: Reduce the date 22 is a Master Number, so we leave it as 22. Step 3: Reduce the year 1 + 9 + 8 + 0 = 18, which is still double digits and is not a Master Number, so we reduce it further. 1 + 8 = 9. Step 4: Add the three resulting numbers and reduce them to a single digit or Master Number 1 + 22 + 9 = 32. 3 + 2 = 5. The Life Path for this birth date is 5. COMMENT YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER BELOW A life path number is who you are at your core. It is an indicator of what is important to you, how you act and react, and how you process life. Knowing this can be good for your relationships – whether romantic or platonic. When you find yourself searching for answers from the universe you have to open your mind to the possibilities. In the case of someone missing you, there can be both psychic and more obvious manifestations of this. In addition to the above, you may find yourself dreaming about a certain place or person. Some people believe that dreams are a doorway to a “higher self” where we are more physically connected with those around us. It is not surprising that sometimes when the dead wishes the communicate, they may visit us in our dreams. A person missing you can show up there, too. Their consciousness connects with yours through the power and consistency of their thoughts directed towards you. Related articles: Which Zodiac Signs Are Best in Bed? Another sign that the universe is telling you that someone misses you are hiccups. Hiccups have traditionally been associated with thoughts from another person. But of course, be sure to rule out the natural possibilities first. This next one happens to me quite often, eye twitching. Have you ever felt the sudden itch or twitch of the eye? This could happen while you’re reading a book or driving a car or doing anything throughout the day. While in some other cultures, eye twitching has been associated with good and bad news. The right eye twitching means some good news is coming your way. The left eye, meaning bad news is coming your way. Emotional mood swings are another way the universe communicates that someone is thinking about you. An interesting thing about our thoughts is that they physically connect us to the person we’re thinking about. Emotional mood swings consist of having a burst of energy and sometimes a strong desire to be around that person. Otherwise, if the person you’re thinking about or the person is thinking about you, this can change your mood as you’re unknowingly feeding off of that energy. The mood does not have to have anything to do with you – just the fact that you are both connected can mean your moods influence each other across distances. The universe is enigmatic. There is still so much we have to learn. The best thing you can do for yourself is to be honest about your emotions and thoughts. If you’re wondering if someone misses you because you miss them, why not reach out? If the person is alive and this was not an abusive individual, then what do you have to lose? Remember, we can only control ourselves. If you want something in life you have to go out and get it.

by Danielle Wright So, what is a situationship? A situationship is an informal relationship  between two people where they are casually having sex and are either friends or dating. It’s FWB but a bit more intimate, meaning you will spend non-sex time together and you may both be exclusively sleeping with one another, but the emotional support is not there and both of you are free to date others. Sounds so appealing, doesn’t it? I mean, where on earth do I sign up? Please excuse my sarcasm. In 2023, situationships have grown increasingly popular for the simple reason that men do not trust themselves to be faithful and project this fear onto their partner. If he does not think he can be faithful, he will not believe a woman can either. Moreover, their needs are still met without having to worry about investing in a committed relationship, especially financially. Men do not see time as we do, so we cannot factor that in, unfortunately. Related articles: Are Sex Workers Replacing Girlfriends? Related articles: National Sex Toy Day: Which Sex Toy Does Each Zodiac Sign Prefer Anything other than a relationship where both parties expect monogamy should be demonized. When you give yourself without a title, you set yourself up to be treated like a second-class citizen. The man will not be there for you emotionally and may even traumatize you. So, the answer to whether you can be friends after a situationship should be an easy " no ." But, we understand that many women need validation, and their egos can't handle being rejected by someone they care for deeply. The reality is that the feelings are not mutual. A man cannot simply be friends with an attractive woman if he is single, and the likelihood that he will still hit on you or request sex is high. That's all you will ever receive from him. Any man who is okay staying friends with a woman he was once intimate with does not like or love her. He may get upset and treat you with disdain if you talk about other men. If he's not investing in you, not taking you on dates, and not doing anything romantic, it's safe to say that he's just not that into you. Even the brokest man will take you to a movie and buy you flowers . If he doesn't adjust his behavior after you express your needs, then he's probably not a good match for you. Related articles: Why Are Heterosexual Men Failing At Sex ? Related articles: Is Dry Humping Better than Sex ? As a woman, you deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and love. The problem is that you cannot make a man hear what he does not want to hear, even if it would strengthen your relationship in the long run. Wanting to remain friends with a situationship is a desperate attempt to stick around, hoping to show him why you would make the best girlfriend or wife. Once you've allowed yourself to be sold for such a low cost, it's almost impossible to convince him to invest in you. You're considered refurbished at best, and no man wants that. He would rather seek other options.

by Danielle Wright What is a Vampire Invitation? It is usually when a hobosexual or predatory man gets you to invite him into your home. A great example of this can be seen in the film, For Colored Girls . Image Credit: IMDB | 'For Colored Girls' Film The film follows a series of women—similar to ‘ The Joy Luck Club ’ (an excellent film, 10/10 highly recommended)—revealing different issues that impact them, women of color in particular. The character Yasmine, played by the beautiful and talented Anika Noni Rose, is attacked in her home when she invites her date Bill inside. Yasmine’s character is kind and charismatic; she offers to cook dinner for her date, and as she’s preparing the meal, she finds herself in a precarious position of sorts... this stranger in her home begins undressing when her back is turned. Slowly, she comes to the realization that he is up to no good; unfortunately, she is then raped. Although this is a film, it’s not uncommon—as of 2023, over 50% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence . One of the easiest ways for this to transpire is by allowing a man into your home who is essentially a stranger to you. Related articles: How to Date An Introvert Related articles: Psychological Effects of Online Dating Men who we meet on dating apps are notorious for low effort dating . We’ve seen an influx of women taking to social media to address their concerns on why it seems that men are so comfortable inviting them to their homes for a first date… well, the answer is, men do not fear women. Men know that they are physically stronger and capable of warding off an attack from a woman in any capacity. Whereas women do not have the same advantages and so, you should always avoid meeting a man in his neighborhood or home for a first meet-up at all costs. Both you and your date should be traveling at least 15-30 minutes from your homes when meeting for the first time. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION When dating, you should be asking for the following: precise time, date, location. Once you have secured this information, you need to relay it to a family member; this could be a brother, father, or mother, and in other cases, a best friend. Someone should know where you are at all times! Most men will attempt to bypass this stage, pretending as though this information is not pertinent or as though you are trying to garner something from them that they cannot provide. This is a major red flag . A man with good intentions and a good upbringing will immediately understand why you need this information, and he will supply it without question. Related articles: 9 Questions To Ask On a Second Date Related articles: Date Night Ideas For Married Couples CALL A CAB Only predators will require you, a stranger, to go with the flow or ask that you provide your own mode of transportation to their desired location. When dating, I used to drive to another house—about 15 minutes from mine—park, and have my date send me an Uber or Lyft to bring me to the restaurant. Men never knew my address. This is the smart way to date, and if you do not have a car and cannot drive to a nearby location, then walk to a corner store or grocery store, change your shoes, and then ask that he pick you up from there. Do not give your address to a stranger. STRANGER DANGER When a man tries to convince you that you are overreacting or that him knowing your address is not a big deal, this is a red flag because he has no regard for your time or safety. This man is not looking for a relationship, but just someone to hook up with. This happens because he is trying to convince you that he is not a stranger, hence making it easier for you to let your guard down, invite him over for the second date, or go to his place where you will be more susceptible to having sex with him. Once the sex happens, you will notice his change in behavior—he is no longer asking if you made it home safely or checking on you throughout the day. You no longer hold the power. Related articles: Dating a Nice But Boring Guy... Related articles: How to Date An Extrovert When You're An Introvert CALL TO ACTION Men know when they’re being predators, so never go back and forth with them. Once you’ve established your boundaries and they are unwilling to respect them, then it’s okay to delete, block, and walk away. These men are strangers and are not obligated to care about you; you are responsible for yourself. Relying on a man to care about your safety and well-being when you’ve never established anything with them is controlling and unhealthy. There is nothing good that can come from a relationship that starts off rocky or relies on you to push your boundaries aside to gratify their desires. You are a person and you deserve to be loved and respected. Remember this and be sure to always act in your own best interest when dating. If it sounds suspicious or too good to be true, then it usually is. Related articles: Dating a Coworker Secretly... Related articles: Dating Someone With a Kid Men who go back and forth with women or try to wear them down feel entitled to do so, and if they feel entitled to do that, then there is no limit to where they will go. Once you show that you’re willing to compromise so early on, the favors will keep pouring in, and it will continue to happen on a regular basis. Before you know it, he will be taking advantage of you, and once the relationship ends, you’ll be placed in a state of feeling like you have to heal. Healing only happens when you pour into someone else’s cup and they never pour into yours. Healing is the equivalent of having to replenish yourself. Don’t let that be you.

by Danielle Wright We hear it all the time, “Men are simple,” and that is true. How simple, you ask? Men are socially programmed to be leaders and protectors—excluding those who grew up in poverty or were not taught to aspire to marriage. Let’s focus on men who are masculine and resourceful, capable of fulfilling one of their life’s purposes: to procreate or head a household. Related articles: How to Manifest Your Soulmate Related articles: The Twin Flame Test These men are actively looking for soulmates, but the twist is, they don’t want just any soulmate—no. We rarely hear about the friend-to-lover pipeline and how those relationships tend to be more successful and long-lasting compared to the date-to-marriage pipeline. When men hunt, they do so with one primary goal in mind: sex. Testosterone levels, visual stimuli, neurochemicals, and even cultural expectations often lead men to prioritize building physical connections over emotional or romantic ones. This is often when you see a man asking a woman on a date, and after the second or third date, he expects her to reciprocate by either taking him on a date or offering him something tangible in exchange for his effort. If not a gift, then intimacy. Some men will rush dates or lump them together to accelerate the process of getting a woman into bed (e.g., a date on Friday night, breakfast on Saturday morning, and brunch on Sunday). This would mean that, technically, you’ve had three dates, and he feels it’s time to get something in return. Related articles: Signs Your Twin Flame Is Thinking of You Related articles: Is Dry Humping Better than Sex? The average man is not looking to “get to know” a woman he finds attractive; his goal is simply to bed her and then decide afterward if she’s worth sticking around for. During this time, while he’s courting or actively pursuing you, he’ll put his best foot forward out of a feeling of obligation and societal expectations. But do men like this feeling? No. In fact, they hate it. The idea that they have to spend upwards of $200 on a date, only to then follow it up with more dates, flowers, drinks, and romance, is something no man wants to do willingly. While many men will take their chances and risk pursuing a low-hanging-fruit woman simply by extending her an invitation to his home , other men will consciously use the bait-and-switch tactic. The bait-and-switch tactic is very common because, while courting a woman, a man may be investing his resources and time, making him more likely to stick around and see his plans through. In contrast, a woman may not become emotionally invested until she’s been intimate with that man. Once intimacy enters the picture, men usually dial down, and women dial up. Men are not stupid; they are strategic. Related articles: 5 Signs the 'No Contact' Rule is Working Related articles: How To Manifest Your Ex Back He’s therefore baited you into bed, and now, instead of him having to court and romance you, it’s expected that you will do everything in your power to keep him around. Women don’t want to be deemed as whores who monkey-branch from one man to the next, which makes them more likely to stick it out in relationships that are toxic, loveless, or even, at times, physically abusive. Patriarchy demonizes women who leave relationships—having multiple baby fathers, partners, suitors, etc.

by Danielle Wright There’s this episode of Sex and the City where Samantha is masturbating all day. She thought she lost her orgasm, and it got me thinking—is there such a thing as masturbating too much? Well, let me just say this, it comes in handy when you’re trying to make a guy wait for sex OR you’re dating a guy who just can’t get you there on his own. Either way, masturbating is a must for almost anyone. Exploring our sexuality is a normal part of our development, and masturbation is a typical part of this journey. Consequently, it becomes a behavior most likely done in secret out of shame or just feeling bad about yourself. Think about it, when did you start to masturbate? The average person learns to masturbate when they are at an awkward, insecure phase of development. And have you noticed that when you’re done, you feel a bit tainted, almost disgusted with yourself? Lol. Yep, I thought so. Related articles: Female Orgasm: The Importance of Self-Care Related articles: How Much is Too Much Masturbation Whether you’re in a relationship or not it’s not always easy to tell if someone masturbates. But one of the obvious signs is they aren’t rushing for sex or doesn’t show much interest in having sex. I know, it is true that masturbating does increase your libido. But if your partner is not great at sex and you’re reaching orgasm through masturbation then you’ll want to masturbate more, not have sex with your partner more. Makes sense? However, if you’ve been with this person for years and you’re both comfortable with your sexuality and have a great sex life, you may not want to masturbate at all, and in the case that you do, yes, your libido will rise and you’ll want to have sex with your partner a whole lot. Other signs are, that person is generally just in a good mood. No, for real. People who masturbate often can experience better sleep, have better sex, and are just happier. Now, of course, everything should be done in moderation so if your partner seems to be masturbating too much there are signs to look out for as well. People who masturbate too much may tend to injure themselves. There is no set number of times you should masturbate, but if you notice your friend or partner complaining of injuries down there, then maybe it’s time for a small intervention. ASK If you ask someone and they seem to shy away from the subject, become defensive or just feel and look ashamed, then it's safe to say that they do masturbate. Understand that masturbation will have an impact on how we view ourselves. When you masturbate, you are touching your body, heightening your sensations and your spirituality. If the person feels numb, lonely, or disconnected, then yes, they could be masturbating but doing it excessively, and again, you should speak to this person about finding healthier alternatives. Related articles: Is Dry Humping Better than Sex? Related articles: Benefits of Sex Toys... There is no real black-and-white answer on how you can tell if someone masturbates although we do know that for some people who are in relationships, this can be a cause for worry. All in all, if your partner is no longer initiating sex, lasting longer during sex, or craving you sexually regularly, he or she could be masturbating and finding more pleasure in that. HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE THIS? If you think that you or someone you know is addicted to masturbating—missing school and social events , canceling plans with friends and family, skipping chores and daily activities to indulge in the act. The first thing is bringing your concerns to their attention or giving yourself a reality check. If this person is wrapped up in themselves and they don’t understand how their actions are hurting you or vice versa, you have to be honest with yourself so you can be honest with them. If it's your partner, think about ways to incorporate yourself into their masturbation habits. If they’re masturbating to a magazine, then maybe add your photos in between the pages so they can see you versus the women in the magazine. Or suggest bringing toys into the bedroom. I think this one is very important because for some women penetration alone cannot bring them to reach an orgasm— raises hand . If you use a clitoral vibrator while he strokes you, everybody wins or if he uses a dildo while you use some other toy, again, everybody wins. Maybe even think about the possibility of a sex swing or butt plugs to entice his view from the back. There are several ways to keep things spicy so that masturbation does not ruin your sex life, but rather improves it.

by Danielle Wright If you’re here it’s because you’ve hurt a Leo woman and perhaps you want to know how to win her heart back. But before we can dive into that, first you have to have a clear understanding of the Leo woman. The Leo woman is regal, queenly in every way—from her royal bearing to her style (which I can tell you now, tends to be extremely expressive and bold). She is strong in her power, like her planetary ruler, the sun. Leo women are kind, giving, and sweet, but understand one thing, this woman is no-nonsense all around. If you try her, you may live to regret it. It is because she is so generous and understanding that when she does not receive the same treatment, or her partner begins taking advantage of her kind nature, she will bring the claws out. Related articles: What Are Triggers in a Relationship ? Related articles: Soul Searching In a Relationship A Leo woman is fragile but for the most part logical. It is because of her high self-esteem that she can walk out of a relationship that no longer serves her, and she can, with grace, accept a person telling her they are no longer interested. Leo women are charming, vivacious, full of life, and enthusiastic. They want you to do something wild and fun with them, they want you to prioritize them, and they want you to be sensual. She hates being told what to do, but also like a challenge in her man—an alpha man to be exact. Leo women are creative and inspirational, so whatever you do be sure to support her dreams and she will no doubt reciprocate. While she may seem strong and independent, a Leo woman is very sensitive and she needs attention, matter of fact, she craves it, but not from everyone, only from her person of interest. Don’t play hard to get with a Leo woman, be up front, honest, wine and dine her and show interest. Related articles: What Is Relationship Realignment? Related articles: Lack of Accountability in Relationships She is not one for games because her goal is to develop her creativity. If she has to spend time decoding your behavior or reading your mind or checking for behavioral clues that you’re interested, she will stop caring. Leo women are one-sided—they’re either all in and loyal or simply do not care and will leave you out in the cold. Leo women love hard! When she decides to be all-in, she is just that even without a relationship title; this lioness will show loyalty. If she’s hurt, she will most likely lose sleep, have difficulty concentrating on her craft, and withdraw herself. When she’s hurt by a person of interest she will most likely lash out in anger. Leos are known for being passionate and fiery in their personal lives, but they may also become irritable and angry easily. So, when you’ve hurt a Leo woman the best thing you can do is console her, bring her a small gift to show you’re sorry, and be willing to talk things through. Most of the time if a Leo woman is lashing out, she feels out of control. Because she likes to have some knowledge of what is taking place, any kind of mystery you present to her or inconsistency, she will begin to question. If it continues, she will start the process of pushing you away completely. Related articles: Money Imbalance In Relationships Related articles: Relationships After Incarceration WHEN A LEO WOMAN STOPS TALKING TO YOU As she prepares for a life without you, she will start by giving you the cold shoulder. A once passionate and loyal woman will find herself on dates and exploring other options. She will ignore your texts and your calls—but be prepared, during this phase she may still randomly lash out. If you haven’t made any efforts—the way she wants it—she will still move on. She’s hot under the collar and sometimes when they get mad, they may try to harm you through some form of punishment. This is only the outcome of a Leo woman who is HURT. So, it just depends on how much you’ve hurt her. Just know that the deeper the pain, the better the apology needs to be. Related articles: 17 Best Personalized Necklaces for Your Lady - Groovy Girl Gifts Related articles: 36 Best Handbags for Women in 2021 (from $19.99) - Groovy Girl Gifts While you may not be aware, most Leo women are extremely dramatic so don’t take her antics too seriously. Especially if she’s hurting. She may cry and rant for a while, but once the dust settles, approach her and try to soothe your lioness, she will appreciate your efforts. A lack of effort when she is hurting and has shown you that your actions have wounded her deeply will result in your lioness holding a massive grudge. If she makes the decision that your efforts for causing her pain aren’t good enough, then that’s it. Game over. If she doesn’t want to forgive you, she will most likely never want to talk to you or see you again. The Leo woman is not afraid to be alone so if she chooses you, be glad! When you hurt her, she has to make you pay. So be prepared for a long punishment depending on the crime. Not to mention a hurt Leo woman will most likely tell you exactly what she thinks about your weaknesses as a boyfriend. The reason? She wants to make sure you change before she gets all weak in the knees in love, again—plus, a little revenge. In other words, she will want to make sure you’ve learned from your past mistakes and will not repeat them. Related articles: Rebound Relationship Stages Related articles: How To Break Monotony In a Relationship EARNING HER FORGIVENESS In most cases as previously mentioned, you have to show her how sorry you are. Don’t skimp out on the apologies and don’t be cheap, either. You don’t need to beg or stalk her but show her how much she means to you. Knowing her love language is just as important. First , apologize – add details, tell her what you’re sorry for and take her on a memorable date. Second , profess your like/love/interest. She wants to know that she is not giving in to you blindly. The Leo woman can be extremely prideful so, be sure that she KNOWS how you feel about her, too. Show some emotion – in other words, you have to get in touch with your feelings before you try and make things right. Third , be positive – give her a reason to be hopeful about the relationship! Make her see the silver lining. Don’t give ultimatums and don’t make her feel like she’s an option. She will give you undying loyalty if she knows it will be reciprocated. Fourth , make her feel important – compliments go a long way with a Leo woman, trust me! Fifth , talk about ways you can BOTH improve your relationship. Tell her your likes and dislikes (the more you share with a Leo woman, the better). These women are very thoughtful and will put a lot of effort into making their partner feel loved. Related articles: Signs of Bad Communication In a Relationship Related articles: Standards and Expectations in Relationships Sharing yourself with her is important, it lets her know that you are willing to go deep. But don’t stop there, listen to her too, agree, and apply it. Then remain consistent. Not only will she appreciate it, but it also shows that you’re sincere and willing to work on things as well as feel sorry about your past mistakes. No empty promises. A whiff of lies or deception will land you right back in hot water and on the block list, indefinitely.

by Danielle Wright We get it, with Valentine’s Day around the corner you could be wondering, “ How can I get back into their presence without seeming desperate or lonely? ” In most cases seeking closure from a relationship that’s ended is just that, it’s looking for a way to be back in front of the person you love in hopes of reconciliation. This happens quite often that women or men will use this opportunity to get dressed up and present themselves as the best version of themselves to show the other what they’re missing. Closure conversations  usually take place about 3-4 weeks post-breakup, so there’s some time in between for the initial glow-up . Closure talk after breaking up can be a different experience depending on which side you’re on. Are you the one who wants closure or are you the one providing closure to an ex? In both cases, things can feel a bit awkward. Related articles: Should I Contact My Ex For Closure Related articles: What If He Doesn't Contact Me During 'No Contact' YOU WANT CLOSURE FROM AN EX When relationships end it can feel devastating—it is the equivalent of losing a loved one. If you spend your nights tossing and turning wondering what went wrong and how things could have been different, then perhaps seeking closure from your ex is a good idea. But, here are some things to consider, if you had a healthy relationship in the first place where the split was mutual, 9/10 that ex let you know why they were leaving. Perhaps, they ended things in person and so you had an opportunity to ask your questions and get the answers you needed, but maybe that’s not enough and you’re still not satisfied. In this case, you’re not seeking closure, you’re looking for an opportunity to reconcile to relieve yourself of any grief you could be experiencing. We get it. Related articles: National Ex-Boyfriend Day: "Pour Yourself a Whiskey Neat and Move On" Related articles: Should I Block My Ex In Order To Move On? The reality is, however, your ex is not going to value you in this way. If reconciliation is on your mind, you should first go no contact and then allow yourself time to heal and for your ex to miss you. It sounds easier said than done, but that is the blueprint for getting an ex back for good. You both need time apart so that you can decide what’s best for you. On the other hand, if things ended abruptly or there was an argument where you both said some things and the ending of the relationship is in limbo or things ended on a whim due to high tension, then I do recommend contacting your ex for closure. You see when things are left unsaid or the person ghosted after an argument and needed time to cool down, this is a good indicator that closure is a possibility. Maybe you will both make it clear that things are over or you will reconcile, either way, you can see one another. Related articles: When Is National Ex Boyfriend Day? Related articles: How Long Does It Take for an Ex to Miss You with No Contact? HOW SHOULD THE CONVERSATION GO? Start Simple: Go in with some mild chit-chat. Do not go in swinging and acting belligerent. If you’re still harboring ill feelings or resentment from the argument that caused the split in the first place then it may be too soon to get in touch. Allow the conversation to unfold naturally. Have Self Control: Control your emotions—make notes on your phone of the things you would like to address. If you are at fault be prepared to apologize and mean it. An apology does not always mean you will be forgiven, it is up to the other person to decide but don’t allow yourself to get too caught up in that. You are your own person and taking accountability for your actions is what’s best. You can then feel better knowing that you did everything you could. Related articles: How to Forgive a Cheater Related articles: Signs Your Ex is Miserable Express Gratitude: Make sure your ex understands that you are grateful to them for the good times you both shared. This does not mean you’re whimpering and begging them to take you back, it just means you’re mature enough to accept what is and you’re okay with the outcome going either way. Honesty: This goes both ways, whether you’re seeking closure or giving it, always be honest, now is the time. Usually, when two people are together they may tell each other little white lies to keep from hurting the other person's feelings, but this is not the time for that. Put it all on the table so that there are no secrets between you. If you have some hard truths to admit it’s best to do it at this time because then the person can go away and heal from that. If they choose to return to you and rekindle the relationship at least you’ll feel better knowing that they’ve forgiven you for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately, there have been times when couples will have closure and one party will omit some truths that later on when they go to rekindle pop back up. In instances like this, the outcome is always disastrous and one or both of you will end up more hurt than before. Related articles: Sleeping with an Ex You Still Love Related articles: Do Exes Ever Come Back After Dating Someone Else Burning Questions: Ask questions you’re afraid to know the answers to because now is the time. If you want to know if they’ve ever cheated, ask them. If they did cheat, ask how long and whatever else comes to mind. Go deep. More often than not the person will admit things that will expedite the healing process for you—and essentially that is what you’re there for, that is what closure is supposed to do . So take advantage of its true purpose and leave no stone unturned. But, just like you’re asking hard questions, you need to be prepared for the answers. Closure is not always pretty. MY EX WANTS CLOSURE FROM ME We all have free will and with that comes the right to say yes or no. Someone else's feelings are not your responsibility and if you decided to end things with your ex surely you had good reason. Hopefully, you were mature enough to end things face-to-face the first time around. But if they’re still struggling to let you go and move on, then unfortunately, that is a [them] problem. You do not need to feel burdened by their emotions. Decide for yourself if you wish to give an ex closure and do not be selfish about it. If you choose to do it be present and honest. If you wish not to, be honest and firm in your decision.