Have you and your partner been together for ages — or are you still sailing along in the honeymoon phase? No matter how long you’ve been a twosome, it’s always smart to take a step back from your relationship to give it a tune-up. In fact, all relationships need TLC. Without it, partners get lazy and the spark dies out, says Irina Firstein, LCSW, a New York City relationship counselor who has doled out relationship advice to couples for over 20 years. Affirmation For Today: I Deserve A Loving Healthy Relationship Her best advice? “Try to remember what attracted you to your partner in the beginning of your relationship. Feel it again and keep it fresh in your mind.” At EverydayHealth.com , Firstein offers five no-fail tips for recharging your relationship. 1. Try a Little Tenderness Here’s a rule of thumb that seems like a no-brainer, but often gets forgotten in the rush of daily life: Be nice to each other! It’s all too easy to take your partner for granted and get wrapped up in kids and work, says Firstein. Instead, try this: Take a moment every day to pay your partner a compliment. “Go out of your way to make your partner feel special and important,” she says. Longest Living Black Married Couple Gives Advice 2. Chit-Chat More One piece of relationship advice all experts agree on? Communication is key. When was the last time you went out of your way to have a real conversation with your partner — one that you didn’t rush through? “Have a genuine interest in every aspect of your mate’s life the way you did when you first met and started dating,” says Firstein. “Ask questions and really listen to what they have to say. Be interested in how they feel and what they think.” How To Make Your Long Distance Relationship Work 3. Add Oomph to Your ‘Thank You’ Do you remember the last time you told your honey how much you appreciate him? A healthy relationship is a blessing, so say thanks with both words and with deeds. If your wife usually gets home from work late, surprise her one night with a homemade, late-night meal. If your husband is usually in charge of yard duty, give him the day off and get out there with the mower yourself. (Find out the next two tips here) Read: Top 5 Super Fruits To Enhance Your Sex Drive FACT OF THE DAY: Ashanti Was Once A Bad Girl Remember Snoop’s Perm & Curls? THEN & NOW: 1990s Music Icons CLASS OF 2001: Was G-Dep The Last Bad “Boy” Standing?
‘We were like, ‘Is this for real?’ ‘ Kourtney recalls of their reaction to the news. By Jocelyn Vena Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian Photo: MTV News When the new season of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” kicks off this weekend, fans will get to witness the courtship between Kim and her basketballer fianc
Today is Kanye West’s 34th birthday! Now we all know that Mr. West loves to adorn himself with the finer things in life. The exclusive items that he purchases on a day-to-day basis would suffice for the average person’s birthday, Christmas and anniversary presents combined … for life! So in celebration of Yeezy’s birthday, June 8, why not recap eight of the most ridiculously gaudy gifts that he has presented to himself? After all, he probably thinks that his gifts are the best anyway! FACT OF THE DAY: Kanye West Almost Signed With Capitol Records When Kanye feels like having Indian curry and fish for lunch, he flies it (and the head chef) in from the UK to New York for $4,000. Visiting Egypt or the King Tut exhibition isn’t enough; Kanye needs the $300,000 gold Horus chain and pyramids ring to “set it off right.” Mirrors are cool, but Kanye would prefer to look at a bejeweled image of himself in his $180,000 Tiret watch. Kanye thought it was a good idea to permanently replace his bottom teeth with gold and diamonds. From what he tells Ellen DeGeneres, toothpaste is the perfect jewelry cleanser anyhow! Kanye doesn’t like to ride in style… he rides above style! Kanye purchased a $1.7 million secret agent SLR Mercedesz-Benz McLaren. Kanye makes his wildest dreams reality—he films “Runaway,” featuring a nude Phoenix, ballerinas, and a huge Michael Jackson float. It makes perfect sense that Kanye wanted his $7 million LA home to be as smart and vivid as himself. His home is run by an elaborate computer matrix. Who likes vixens with big mouths? not Kanye. He paid Amber Rose a seven-figure “silence fee” to keep quiet about their relationship. Did You Know Nicki Minaj Plays The Clarinet? See The Video Here! BLACK MUSIC MOMENT #62: Ludacris Debuts As Radio Personality “Chris Lova Lova” NEW MUSIC: Beyonce Ft. Andre 3000 “Party”
Are debt, credit cards, or student loans controlling you, or are you controlling them? Are your finances a source of freedom or a cause of stress? These signs of a financially healthy woman will help you figure out if money is controlling you, or if you need to take control of your money. “Women need to develop a healthy, honest relationship with our money,” says financial guru Suze Orman. “And we have to see this relationship as a reflection of our relationship with ourselves.” In other words, our financial lives (mortgage payments, credit card debt, emergency savings fund, monthly budget, etc) are part of who we are as women. The serious debt or extreme wealth in our finances directly affects our emotional, physical, and spiritual lives. Here are five signs of financially healthy women… 1. Financially healthy women are aware of their “money personalities.” Did your parents invest in real estate, a secure low-interest savings account, mutual funds – or did they struggle with debt? Your saving and spending habits, investment style, attitude about money, and financial perspective is shaped in part by the way your parents treated money in your childhood. Your money personality directly affects your relationship with money – and the more self-aware you are, the more financial independence you’ll enjoy. 2. Financially healthy women take financial risks . A financial risk doesn’t necessarily mean investing $10,000 in a friend’s new business or charging a $2,500 dollar dress to a maxed-out credit card. Taking smart financial risks includes investing in your career by going back to school full or part-time, taking a mortgage on a small piece of real estate, or exploring ways to earn money from your hobby. 7 items to punch up your business casual wear 3. Financially healthy women have their own checking, savings, or credit card accounts. So many readers make comments on my “Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals” blog about how they want to leave their common-law or married husbands, but can’t because they have no money to support themselves. Having a separate checking or savings account is the most basic sign of a financially independent woman…and yet many women don’t have their own source of money. READ MORE HERE How To Make Money Online, Without Spending A Dime
Remember a time long ago, in a far away land, when men were globally generalized as being emotionally disconnected? And somewhat standoffish when it comes to their feelings? You know what I’m talking about: when guys used Snoop Dogg’s famous line, “we don’t love dem hoes,” as their anthem and kept it moving! Well, it seems as though, after the new millennium approached, the rock solid brick wall men built years ago came tumbling down like the Berlin Wall. Oh, trust me, I’ve seen it all, and I’m not talking about only in my personal life either, just look at what goes on in the media. Take for instance Z-list rapper, Joe Budden. This kid has been in more nasty break-ups than Destiny’s Child. But the break-up isn’t the issue, it’s what occurs AFTER the break-up that makes him, as Somaya Reece would say, “a vagina.” When he was with Tahiry, he saw to it that he vlogged a great deal of what transpired in their relationship so naturally, he wouldn’t be tight-lipped after things went south. Budden did everything from broadcasting their differences on blogs to calling into radio stations, having twitter fights, and even making songs about it. Now, Budden recently broke up with model Esther Baxter. However, things got extremely ugly after Budden wrote a song about Baxter, as she proceeded to make claims that Budden abused her and caused her to have a miscarriage. Budden isn’t the only emotional guy out there though, there are scenarios that everyone has seen that occur in your everyday life. Furthermore, because this issue is becoming inevitable, I’ve listed 5 ways to let you know you’re guy may just be “a vagina!” 1. If he blows up your cell EVERY time you have a girls’ night out. Either he REALLY loves you or he’s just a straight up bugaboo. And there are ways around those issues. If it’s just that he really loves you, you have to sit him down and try to explain that although you feel the same about him, it’s also healthy for the two of you to still do your own separate things every now and then as well. That way you will never lose sight of yourself throughout your relationship. On the other hand, if it’s just that he’s a bugaboo, get rid of him. You’ll never have any time to yourself and that could cause issues further down the line in your relationship. 2. He demands you to drop all of your male friends the moment you start talking. Girl, this is a sign that your new guy has the potential to be a control freak with very low confidence. He’ll always think you have negative intentions, so save yourself the energy and end it the moment this happens. This guy will have it embedded in his head that you’ve either been intimate with your male friends before or desire to be with them at some point in the future. He views them as his competition therefore, you’ll never catch a break. 3. He cries because he “just loves you so much.” The only instances this is even almost acceptable is on your wedding day, your death bed or your funeral. Anything other than that is just weird and a little creepy. The whole Lifetime-movie, crazy-in-love stalker steez is not attractive on anyone. 4. After every argument, he writes subliminal statuses about you. This is a sure sign that he can’t hold water. He will tell anyone who will listen the ups and downs of your relationship. End it immediately. If you wanted someone to know specifics about you, tell them yourself. Every detail of your relationship doesn’t need to be displayed all over Facebook and Twitter. You will never feel completely secure in your relationship if he is sure to broadcast to the world every single disagreement. 5. He has a history of messy break-ups. This is a warning sign so please proceed with caution. While one or maybe even two messy break-ups in a row are understandable, if this becomes a pattern it could form a cycle and the problem is likely not his former girlfriends. It could be him. He has a lot of growing up to do and it is up to you to determine if you want to be by his side while he matures. This is a situation where you have to evaluate your life and his and see if you even have the energy to deal with that drama. Even the healthiest relationships are hard as it is, as a woman you need to be able to decide if you are willing to deal with a man that is extremely sensitive. If you do make that decision, make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Be mindful that you should be able to learn from your partner and be able to uplift each other, if he isn’t adding any positivity into your life or encouraging you to succeed then you can find a much better situation than the one you are in. In short, you can’t control much in your life so the things that you can control you should make as easy as possible. “My Man Can’t Read, Got His Baby Momma Pregnant & He’s Sleeping With An Ex” 11 Things You Need To Know About Men & Relationships
Remember a time long ago, in a far away land, when men were globally generalized as being emotionally disconnected? And somewhat standoffish when it comes to their feelings? You know what I’m talking about: when guys used Snoop Dogg’s famous line, “we don’t love dem hoes,” as their anthem and kept it moving! Well, it seems as though, after the new millennium approached, the rock solid brick wall men built years ago came tumbling down like the Berlin Wall. Oh, trust me, I’ve seen it all, and I’m not talking about only in my personal life either, just look at what goes on in the media. Take for instance Z-list rapper, Joe Budden. This kid has been in more nasty break-ups than Destiny’s Child. But the break-up isn’t the issue, it’s what occurs AFTER the break-up that makes him, as Somaya Reece would say, “a vagina.” When he was with Tahiry, he saw to it that he vlogged a great deal of what transpired in their relationship so naturally, he wouldn’t be tight-lipped after things went south. Budden did everything from broadcasting their differences on blogs to calling into radio stations, having twitter fights, and even making songs about it. Now, Budden recently broke up with model Esther Baxter. However, things got extremely ugly after Budden wrote a song about Baxter, as she proceeded to make claims that Budden abused her and caused her to have a miscarriage. Budden isn’t the only emotional guy out there though, there are scenarios that everyone has seen that occur in your everyday life. Furthermore, because this issue is becoming inevitable, I’ve listed 5 ways to let you know you’re guy may just be “a vagina!” 1. If he blows up your cell EVERY time you have a girls’ night out. Either he REALLY loves you or he’s just a straight up bugaboo. And there are ways around those issues. If it’s just that he really loves you, you have to sit him down and try to explain that although you feel the same about him, it’s also healthy for the two of you to still do your own separate things every now and then as well. That way you will never lose sight of yourself throughout your relationship. On the other hand, if it’s just that he’s a bugaboo, get rid of him. You’ll never have any time to yourself and that could cause issues further down the line in your relationship. 2. He demands you to drop all of your male friends the moment you start talking. Girl, this is a sign that your new guy has the potential to be a control freak with very low confidence. He’ll always think you have negative intentions, so save yourself the energy and end it the moment this happens. This guy will have it embedded in his head that you’ve either been intimate with your male friends before or desire to be with them at some point in the future. He views them as his competition therefore, you’ll never catch a break. 3. He cries because he “just loves you so much.” The only instances this is even almost acceptable is on your wedding day, your death bed or your funeral. Anything other than that is just weird and a little creepy. The whole Lifetime-movie, crazy-in-love stalker steez is not attractive on anyone. 4. After every argument, he writes subliminal statuses about you. This is a sure sign that he can’t hold water. He will tell anyone who will listen the ups and downs of your relationship. End it immediately. If you wanted someone to know specifics about you, tell them yourself. Every detail of your relationship doesn’t need to be displayed all over Facebook and Twitter. You will never feel completely secure in your relationship if he is sure to broadcast to the world every single disagreement. 5. He has a history of messy break-ups. This is a warning sign so please proceed with caution. While one or maybe even two messy break-ups in a row are understandable, if this becomes a pattern it could form a cycle and the problem is likely not his former girlfriends. It could be him. He has a lot of growing up to do and it is up to you to determine if you want to be by his side while he matures. This is a situation where you have to evaluate your life and his and see if you even have the energy to deal with that drama. Even the healthiest relationships are hard as it is, as a woman you need to be able to decide if you are willing to deal with a man that is extremely sensitive. If you do make that decision, make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Be mindful that you should be able to learn from your partner and be able to uplift each other, if he isn’t adding any positivity into your life or encouraging you to succeed then you can find a much better situation than the one you are in. In short, you can’t control much in your life so the things that you can control you should make as easy as possible. “My Man Can’t Read, Got His Baby Momma Pregnant & He’s Sleeping With An Ex” 11 Things You Need To Know About Men & Relationships
The Internet went crazy when Diamond and Soulja Boy were photographed all hugged up, and we later confirmed that Diamond and Soulja Boy were indeed an item . Soulja Boy went into more detail about his relationship with the former Crime Mob rapper: “ I feel like she’s definitely that,” Soulja said of Diamond being a pillar of strength for him. “She’s an added plus just for me, period. She supports me. She loves me. Everybody needs love, everybody needs that support in their corner. She’s definitely a pillar of strength in my corner. I don’t need negativity around me. With all the stuff that’s going on with me as being Soulja Boy and my personal life, and in the world in general, the whole world needs love.” Click here for the full story. Soulja Boy & Diamond Call The Durtty Boyz To Confirm Relationship [EXCLUSIVE] Lil Scrappy’s Mom Calls Diamond A “Dirty Low Down B*tch” For Hooking Up With Soulja Boy [AUDIO] Lil Scrappy’s Mom Apologizes: “Diamond Knows That I Love Her Like A Daughter” [EXCLUSIVE] Lil’ Scrappy’s Mom Calls Diamond A “Low Down Dirty B*tch” & Scrappy Responds! [EXCLUSIVE] New Couple? Soulja Boy & Diamond Spotted Hugged Up! [PHOTOS]
‘It’s really like me being at home with my brothers when it comes to Birdman and Lil Wayne,’ Ross says. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Rick Ross Photo: Sohyung Kang/ MTV News Through the years, Rick Ross has developed a strong relationship with Cash Money and Lil Wayne. This year Ross toured with Wayne on the first leg of his I Am Still Music Tour, and he’s already kicked around the idea of a joint album with Birdman and appeared on his fair share of songs with the YMCMB roster. During this week’s “RapFix Live,” the Boss spoke to host Sway about his relationship with Wayne and his favorite memory from his I Am Still Music run. “The very first night the tour kicked off, just being backstage and me having a great relationship with Cash Money,” he revealed. “So it’s really like me being at home with my brothers when it comes to Birdman and Lil Wayne.” Rozay and Weezy currently appear together on DJ Khaled’s brand-new “I’m On One,” Ross’ “9 Piece (Remix)” and, of course, Wayne’s Tha Carter IV street single “John.” For “John,” Wayne found inspiration in “I’m Not a Star,” the opening track from Ross’ 2010 Teflon Don. “When [Wayne] first came home [from jail] he was like, ‘That ‘”I’m Not a Star,” that’s one of my favorite joints, let’s do something in that vibe,’ ” Ross recalled. “I’m like, ‘Easy.’ He actually gave me the track and I was like, ‘Wow, this is too easy.’ ” With Tha Carter IV scheduled to drop on June 21 and the Colin Tilley-directed “John” clip in rotation and video outlets, Ross is excited for the future. “Sitting in the studio at the Hit factory in Miami, I remember him just playing joints off his album and us constantly going back to that joint and I was just like, ‘It’s gonna be a hot summer.’ ” What’s your favorite Ross and Weezy track? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Rick Ross And Maybach Music Group Related Artists Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)
Taylor herself will debut the full-length video on Tuesday on MTV and MTV.com. By Jocelyn Vena Taylor Swift in “The Story Of Us” Photo: Big Machine Records On Tuesday, Taylor Swift will sit down with MTV News’ Sway Calloway to premiere her music video for “The Story of Us” during “MTV First: Taylor Swift.” If you can’t wait until then to see what Swift has in store for the Noble Jones-directed video, MTV News has a treat for you in the form of a 43-second tease for the video. In the new video, Swift is in college, reminiscing about her relationship with a fellow coed. The tease kicks off with a flurry of shots: the exterior of a school library, a shelf of books (one is called “The Story of Us”), Swift looking forlorn, her band playing the tune in the institution of higher learning’s halls. Then Swift tells us what went down in “Chapter One.” She and her newest video beau are laughing, flirting and kissing among the library stacks. What happens next? Well, fans will have to wait until Tuesday to find out. It all kicks off on May 24 at 7:53 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com. Fans can tune in to see Swift introduce the video’s official premiere and speak with Sway live on-air. Sway and Taylor will then continue their chat for a 30-minute live stream on MTV.com. The singer will answer a few questions from fans too. Beginning on Friday (May 20), you can submit your pressing queries on MTV.com or via Twitter using @MTVNews, hashtag #AskTaylor. At 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the music video will debut online on MTV.com, VH1.com and MTV’s International Sites in 150+ territories, followed by a premiere on TeenNick at 10:56 p.m. ET. For those who can’t wait for the video premiere, a 30-second sneak peek of “The Story of Us” will air during VH1’s “Big Morning Buzz Live” on Tuesday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT. The full video will also appear on “VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown” on Saturday, May 28 at 9 a.m. ET/PT. Related Videos Taylor Swift’s ‘The Story Of Us’ Video To Premiere On MTV Related Artists Taylor Swift
Reality TV star Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander glows as she talks about her relationship with Shaq. Shaq, more known now for dating the random celeb than his basketball game is being primped and poked by her sewing needle as she dresses him in “Hoopz” tailored clothing. One ensemble in particular– a hooded blazer, received rave reviews, she says “Everyone went crazy. There were all types of requests like, “Who did that?” It was really cool, I was like “Oh, they’re asking!” When asked about her fitness brand she is building: “Through the years that I’ve been in the business and out in the public, I have had several women come up to me and say “How do you stay in shape like that?” I’m going to start putting clips up for people to see what I’m doing to stay active and fit on my website, on Facebook and Twitter, then I’ll probably go into DVDs.” Shaq & Hoopz Look Like They Have A Lot Of Fun Together [PHOTOS] Shaq’s Mistress Writes Love Letter Including Details On Sexual Acts Spotted @ NecoleBitchie.com
