Nerds Do It Better

By Alisa Miller

Dating is definitely not the same as it used to be. From online dating’s popularity to the new vision of life over 50, dating has moved from the traditional courtship to a more active and personalized endeavor, which is sometimes odd for those who are older or getting back into dating after a divorce or death. We recommend using the following resources and tips for knowledge and confidence to get back into the dating game.

Dating Sites for Seniors

Online dating sites are very popular and don’t hold the stigma they once did. From traditional matchmaking services to more modern online dating sites, these resources are sure to help you make a connection. All of these below are directed specifically at people at least 40 or 50 years old.

1. SeniorFriendFinder. Exclusively for singles over 40, this site offers free member profiles and almost 500,000 members. You can use email, instant messaging, and video messaging to contact members with a paid subscription.
2. Your Senior Dating Site. This dating site promises it’s about the people, so you won’t get advertisements, but you will get personal service and ease of use. Signing up is free, but you will need a membership to contact a potential date.
3. SeniorMatch.com. This site is only for singles over 50 and imposes a minimum age as well. This is one of the largest senior dating sites.
4. Primesingles.net. This site for those 40 and over has a fast sign-up and is easy to navigate.
5. 50YearsPlus.com. "A singles site for seniors with integrity" is how they describe themselves at this site. Enjoy a seven-day free trial to see if you like this one before buying a membership.
6. Executive Senior Dating. This matchmaking service conducts a 30-90 minute phone call with you and a matchmaking counselor to start their matching process.
7. Real Mature Singles. For those 40 and over, this matching service verifies that every applicant is legitimate before providing services.
8. Senior Singles Only. This matching service meets and screens all applicants in person. The applicants must be at least 40 and looking for a long-term relationship.
9. Dating For Seniors. For dating, friends, or a life partner, this online dating site offers opportunities for older singles. Your free basic membership must be upgraded to a paid subscription in order to have full access to all services.
10. Senior Passions. This free dating and social networking site offers the opportunity for "the next big love of your life, companionship, or just to make new friends."

General Dating Sites

These dating sites are not specifically for older singles, but they are very popular and usually have large member databases. You can specify what age range you are interested in meeting, so feel free to give these a try too.

11. Yahoo! Personals. Completely free, this online dating service offers a wide range of categories from which you can search. Due to the lack of cost and the popularity of Yahoo!, you are sure to find lots of potential here.
12. Match.com. One of the top online dating services, Match.com provides a huge member database. You can browse for free, but you will need a membership to contact any potential matches.
13. Chemistry.com. A part of Match.com, and working like eHarmony, this site relies on matching techniques to connect people. For those who have been rejected by eHarmony, Chemistry.com offers a great chance to try this method of online dating.
14. eHarmony. This dating service offers a unique approach to online dating. Instead of browsing for dates or waiting for someone to come to you, they rely on a complex personality matching formula and provide you with potential matches.
15. Perfectmatch.com. Using a compatibility system, this dating site emails you when a good match becomes available. Perfectmatch.com has been receiving lots of rave reviews recently.
16. SinglesNet. This free service offers most of the same services available in the for-pay dating services. Gaining in popularity, the database is over 5 million large.
17. Lavalife. Choose to look for dates, relationships, or intimate encounters on this site. You can create three different profiles for each of the three different categories offered or select only one or two of them. This service is totally free and has a huge member base.
18. Great Expectations. Combining online dating services and in-person matchmaking, this service meets every member in person and creates a match for potential dates. They also offer invitations to Great Expectations events where you can meet members face-to-face. This service is available in about 50 cities in the U.S.
19. Matchmaker. Answer questions about major issues to create your matchability with this site. The service is free, but you will need to pay if you want to contact a member.
20. Plentyoffish.com. This totally free site matches singles from around the world. Touting itself as a dating site for everyone, you can choose a specific type of dating environment such as older couples or Christian dating.

Tips for Online Dating

Navigating the world of online dating may seem overwhelming at first. Follow these simple tips to help you create a great profile, know how to communicate well, and keep yourself safe.

21. Name. Choose a fun and creative name for your profile. Make sure it reflects your personality, too.
22. Profile. Keep your profile short, but succinct. Add humor and make it truly an extension of yourself. Proofread it and have a friend do so too so that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.
23. Photo. Make sure your photo is of a good quality, recent, and reflects who you are. For example, if you love dogs, include your pooch in the photo too.
24. Respond to everyone who writes you. It doesn’t have to be much, but at least let the person know if you are interested or not.
25. Keep it short. When you first start correspondence with someone, you don’t have to tell your whole life story at once. Let it unfold slowly.
26. Make contact. Don’t just focus on one person. Be sure to contact several people who look interesting.
27. Be honest. Not only should you be honest about who you are and what you look like, you should also be honest if you are no longer interested in corresponding with them.
28. Don’t get too personal. Getting too personal or talking about sex can be very off-putting. Let the relationship develop in its own time.
29. Be safe. Don’t disclose any personal information such as a personal email address, IM account, or phone number until you’re sure you can trust the person you’re giving them to. Most dating sites provide email and IM accounts that protect your privacy, so take advantage of these.
30. In person. If you decide to move beyond the dating site, first talk by phone. After a few phone conversations, if you decide to meet in person, keep it in a public place and consider having a friend at a nearby table to secretly monitor the situation.

Opportunities for Meeting People Off Line

Don’t just depend on online resources for dating. There are lots of ways to find dates through more traditional routes. Get out there and enjoy learning or doing something new and you just might find a new partner, too.

31. Clubs. Join a club. With everything out there from the Elk’s club to a nature conservancy group, you are sure to find a group of folks with similar interests as you.
32. Volunteer. Volunteering can be a great way to meet people and stay social. You will be making a difference, too.
33. Book group. Combine reading with the social aspect of discussing your book to share an interest and possibly meet a dating partner.
34. Cooking class. Take a cooking class will not only get you out and meeting new people, you will be learning how to eat more healthily, too.
35. Cards. Playing cards is a fun and social experience. Find a group that meets regularly and join in.
36. Exercise group. Join an exercise group. Many groups are available that offer group opportunities such as aquatics, walking, or yoga.
37. Classes. Take an adult continuing education class and learn something new. Many universities and community colleges offer courses ranging from web design to throwing pottery.
38. Travel. There are many chances for group travel experiences that offer the opportunity for you to meet new people. The bonus to finding someone while traveling is that you know you both have the desire to explore and learn.
39. Dance. Take a dance class if you’re new to dancing, or sign up for a group that dances regularly if you already love to dance.
40. Get a dog. Not only will having a dog keep you company, but taking your dog out for walks, to local parks, or just around town with you opens up tons of opportunities for you to connect with other dog owners or just friendly animal lovers.

Articles

All of these articles touch on dating in your later years. From using senior dating sites to first date anxiety to flirting, these resources will help you feel more confident in your dating abilities.

41. How to Use Senior Dating Sites. This article offers good advice and tips for seniors on using online dating sites. This is especially helpful if you have limited experience with online groups.
42. Making the Most of the Senior Dating Sites. Another article on senior dating sites, this one suggests how to select an online service and some things to look for once you begin making connections with other singles.
43. Senior Dating Tips. This article offers some great tips for getting back out there on the dating scene.
44. Suddenly Single Seniors and Dating. Check out this article for great suggestions on dating, and specifically, finding someone through personal ads.
45. Seeking Love. This article offers real life stories and suggestions for dating when you are over 45. Here’s the proof that you don’t have to feel like life has passed you by just because you aren’t 20 anymore.
46. How to Overcome First Date Anxiety. Directed specifically at those getting back into the dating game after age 50, this article offers some great ideas to ensure you are feeling comfortable.
47. Seniors Dating. From ideas on where to look for a partner to some potential pitfalls to benefits of dating later in life, this article covers it all.
48. Mature Dating–Late Joiner. For advice on how to blend families in the later years, this short article offers helpful tips on how to facilitate the blending process.
49. Prime Time Women: Fifty is Not What It Used To Be. Find out why dating in your fifties is so great for women. And men, you can get tips on how to succeed with these dynamos.
50. How to Flirt Online. If you are giving online dating a try, this flirting primer will help you walk that fine line between showing interest and not showing too much.

Blogs

Blogs are a great way to learn from the experience of regular people. All of these blogs are either written specifically for dating over 50 or written by people sharing their experiences of dating over 50.

51. ChaiLife Atlanta. While this blog is specifically for Jewish daters over 45 in the Atlanta area, it also offers plenty of advice and support for those dating later in life, despite their location or religious affiliation.
52. You don’t have to be a "10" to find love after 50. Read an inspirational story about fate and finding your partner. This blog offers a sweet story of how an older couple found each other on JDate and the extraordinary circumstances of their lives.
53. Falling in Love at 49. Read about the coming together of this woman and her husband as they discover love. Browse her blog for other posts with advice on dating later in life.
54. Mature Dating: From Despair and Disappointment to Delight, Adventure, Ease, and Joy. This blog isn’t being updated anymore, but it contains lots of posts offering advice on dating after 50.
55. Misery Date. This entertaining blog post describes one woman’s approach to dating in her later years–and it’s all about embracing who you are and what you want.
56. Are You a Love Snob? Read about how some people approach love and commitment. This blog post will get you thinking about what is important in a relationship and what it means to you.
57. Over 50 and Single? Take a few minutes for yourself. Get tips on dating after 50 from this post. Use the search tool on this blog for other posts on dating from this 50+ writer.
58. Sex and Ageism in the Movies. This woman ponders the way Hollywood presents sex and romance for those in their 40s and 50s.
59. Safe Sex: Affection with Protection. As this writer states, "After more than a year of being single, what I have learned is this: Condoms are a fact of life." Find out which condoms rate high with this woman.
60. The Dating Game. This Baby Boomer writes about online dating after 50 and why it’s becoming so popular in this age group.

Dating after Divorce or Death of a Spouse

The loss of a spouse through either divorce or death can be devastating. Once you have given yourself time to grieve your loss, don’t stay mired in the past. Follow these suggestions to get yourself in a good place to start dating again.

61. Move beyond the past. You will not be able to move forward until you resolve your feelings about the break-up of your marriage or the death of your partner. Once you work through these feelings, you’ll find yourself in a much better place to go on with your life.
62. Rekindle old interests. Did you once have a passion for photography? Pick up that camera again. You may find that you can rediscover yourself through those interests you pushed aside years ago.
63. Find new interests. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint or go kayaking. Taking up new interests now will help you rediscover qualities about yourself you may have forgotten. It will also get you out and meeting new people.
64. Learn to enjoy your own company. After living with someone for a while, it can be difficult to enjoy doing things alone. Find ways to have fun on your own.
65. Take care of yourself. If you’ve gained a few extra pounds, find a way to get some exercise. Eat healthfully and take time to pamper yourself. If you feel good about the way you look and feel, others will too.
66. Lose the negative self-image. If you feel poorly about yourself, you are likely to attract people who will treat you badly. Make a list of your good qualities and remind yourself often of them. Work on building yourself up.
67. Reconnect with old friends. Track down old friends with whom you’ve lost touch over the years. Whether you find you’ve still got lots in common or you’ve both moved on, it will likely enrich your life anyway.
68. Develop new friendships. New friendships and support systems can help ease your transition after divorce or the death of a spouse. Find ways to connect with new friends of either gender.
69. Volunteer. No matter if you have a lot of free time or almost none, there is some place you can volunteer your time. Devoting some time working for others is a great way to discover new things about yourself.
70. Find a new job. Whether you are retired, you spent your life rearing children, or you’ve been working in a job you hate, get out there and find something fun you enjoy doing. You will meet new people and add a new dimension to your life.

Going on a Date

Now you’ve connected with someone and it’s time for your date. You will want to follow these tips to ensure everything goes smoothly and you and your partner have a great time together.

71. Show interest. You have accepted or asked someone on a date, so spend that time finding out about them. Try not to compare them to any ex partners, but find out what makes them unique and fun to know.
72. Dress appropriately. Dress in nice, clean clothes that reflect who you are. Don’t try to dress too young or too casually as you want to make an honest impression on your date.
73. Don’t go too fast. Loneliness or the desire to fill a gap left empty by an ex may drive you to want to find someone right away. Instead, slow down and appreciate the chance you have to enjoy meeting others.
74. Relax. Leave your insecurities about being on the dating scene at home. Have fun, enjoy your date, and you will find your date will appreciate you for just being yourself.
75. Don’t worry about imperfections. Your laugh lines show how much you’ve enjoyed life just as imperfections such as scars reflect the interesting life you’ve led. Don’t spend time worrying about these small character traits–enjoy your date instead.
76. Be accepting. Know that your date has also lived a full life that may not be exactly what you expect. Be accepting of the fact that your date may have commitments to children, debt from divorce, or any other number of factors that you might not have anticipated.
77. But don’t settle. Just because you are feeling lonely, don’t settle for less than what you deserve. A woman who always breaks your dates to be with her friends or a man who treats you with no respect are just not worth your time.
78. Be aware of old patterns. If you have a history of dating or marrying a certain type of destructive person, learn how to break the cycle. Especially if your past choices have lead you to dangerous situations such as drug abuse or violence, seek help to learn how to get away from your old patterns.
79. Whether to have sex. Whether or not to have sex with your date or how quickly to engage in sex may have a very different feel now than when you were twenty. Listen to yourself and do what you feel is right.
80. Practice dating. Let yourself go out with people who might not be the perfect match. This allows you to get back into the swing of things with a lot less pressure to make the date go perfectly.

Date Ideas

Whether it’s your first date together or your fifth, these ideas will spark conversation and help you learn about each other in an environment of fun, art, charity, or knowledge.

81. Picnic. Pack up a simple, romantic lunch or dinner and head out to a park. Sharing a meal together in nature is not only romantic, but it allows you the opportunity to get to know each other against a beautiful backdrop.
82. Get active. If you both play golf or tennis, take your first date on the go. After your game, you can stop off for a refreshing drink and snack to wrap up the date.
83. Museum. Visit a museum together. Wandering through the art or even deciding which type of museum to visit will tell you much about the other and is a fun way to spend the day.
84. Take a cooking class. With so many cooking classes available, you can decide on a type of class and pass a few hours learning how to prepare a special meal. Maybe your next date can be using your newfound skills to cook for each other.
85. Book reading. Attend a reading at a book store. You might discover you share a passion for the same books, author, or just reading in general.
86. Vino. Whether you have a nearby winery you can tour together or you can experience a wine tasting at a local store, share the fun of exploring wine together while you learn about each other.
87. Charity event. Attend a charity event together. The group setting may ease any first-date jitters and you will be helping a good cause.
88. On the water. Go out to a local river or lake and rent a paddle boat, kayak, or canoe. Whether you have experience or not doesn’t matter, it’s about having fun together.
89. See a play. Theater doesn’t have to be a big production or expensive. Many community and university theaters offer interesting, well-done, and affordable productions that you and your date can enjoy together.
90. Outdoor market. Head to an outdoor market such as a farmer’s market or flea market. Walking through and discovering what is available will allow the two of you to find out more about each other.

Sexuality

Your sexuality doesn’t go away after you turn 50. The following information and tips will help you stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the next level of your dating experience once you’ve found that special someone.

91. Aging. According to an AARP study, 49% of older couples engage in sexual intercourse once a week or more. That number drops to 34% in those over 70, but it looks like the myth of older couples not enjoying sex is just not true.
92. Antidepressants. Many people on antidepressants relate how their sex drive is almost eliminated. Most of the medications responsible for the loss of libido are SSRIs. Check with your doctor about take Wellbutrin, which has been shown to actually increase sex drive in one study.
93. Don’t stop. Not having sex can have negative effects for when you want to begin again. For women, the elasticity of the vaginal walls breaks down and for men, the blood flow is inhibited by lack of use. The good news is that if you don’t have a partner, masturbation will help keep everything working in proper order.
94. Sexual peak. While men reportedly have their sexual peak in their teens or 20s and women in their 30s or 40s, there is also information suggesting that men and women also have a psychological sexual peak that is different from the physical peak more commonly known. For both men and women, the psychological peak occurs in their 50s.
95. Having sex. Once you begin having sex with a new partner, always take precautions against STDs. Talk openly with your partner about your sexual health and use condoms. Just because pregnancy might not be an issue doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about STDs.
96. Condom care. Keeping a condom in your wallet is not a good idea. The friction and temperature changes can create microscopic tears in the condom that allow sperm to get through.
97. Polyurethane condoms. Condoms made of lambskin are effective against pregnancy, but they do not protect you from STDs. If you have a latex allergy, polyurethane condoms are a good alternative. Recent studies show that they are as effective against STDs as latex condoms.
98. Prostate health. A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association indicates that frequent ejaculation helps improve prostate health. That’s good news for men.
99. Dryness. Vaginal dryness can negatively effect the sexual experience for women and the reduction in hormones that occurs with age can produce more dryness. Try using a lubricant specifically designed to replicate the natural secretions such as K-Y Silk-E or Astroglide.
100. Kegel. These exercises have long been known to help women reduce incontinence after menopause, but they also help men to improve performance and enhance orgasm. Start doing Kegel exercises today.

By Jessica Merritt

Wedding planning is an exciting but incredibly involved undertaking, so it’s important that you take advantage of all of the tools you have at your disposal. One of the most useful of these tools is the Internet, which is full of advice, planners, and other great resources for pulling everything together. Here, we’ve shared 100 of the best of what the Internet has to offer for brides.

Motherlode

These sites are the ones you hear about often. They generally have full-service tools, vendor listings, inspiration and more, creating a one-stop shop for brides.

1. The Knot: This perennial favorite has it all-dresses, fashion, planning tools, and loads of inspiration. Just take it slowly, and don’t get overwhelmed.
2. Martha Stewart Weddings: Martha has awesome planning tools, crafty advice, etiquette, and so much more.
3. OneWed: OneWed offers planning resources, an active community of brides, plus free wedding websites.
4. Brides.com: This popular bridal magazine’s website is alive and well offering wedding style, planning, and much more.
5. WeddingWire: Wedding Wire is an awesome resource for brides. You can find vendors and ask them to bid their services, build a site, talk to other brides, and a whole lot more.
6. Get Married: Lifetime’s wedding site has feature video, planning tools, advice, and plenty of other useful resources for brides.
7. WeddingChannel: Here you’ll find resources for planning, lots of photo galleries, and shopping tips.

General Advice

Visit these sites to find answers to your wedding questions.

8. WikiWeddings: WikiWeddings has advice for just about every part of wedding planning.
9. Mahalo: Mahalo has a great collection of wedding how-tos.
10. About.com Weddings: About.com has an incredibly helpful and extensive collection of wedding resources and advice.

Money

With these resources, you can get your wedding budget under control.

11. How to Make a Wedding Budget: Mahalo offers some sound advice for putting together a wedding budget.
12. Easy Budget Wedding Worksheet: About offers a worksheet for figuring out your wedding budget.
13. The $28,000 question: Why are we all hypocrites about weddings?: Ramit Sethi offers some frank advice about financing and saving for your wedding.
14. Top 5 Biggest Wedding Money Wasters: About.com covers a few things you shouldn’t bother spending money on.
15. Mint.com as a Wedding Budget Tracking Tool: Find out how you can use Mint to stay on top of wedding finance.
16. How to Save Money on Your Wedding Ceremony and Reception: wikiHow shares a few pieces of advice for cutting costs.
17. She had a fabulous wedding on a budget: CNN profiles a woman who had an affordable wedding, and offers a lot of tips for brides who want to save money.
18. Revealing the Hidden Costs of Weddings: Investopia takes a look at some expenses you might not have thought of.
19. Wedding Budget Etiquette: This article simply breaks down the etiquette rules for wedding costs.
20. The marriage industrial complex: Salon interviews the author of "One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding" and breaks down the idea of the wedding industrial complex.

Wedding Planners

With these tools and resources, you can make wedding planning a simple task.

21. One Stop Wedding Planner: This online planner will cover all of your bases with ease.
22. Planganza: Organize your wedding, get vendors, and lots more on this site.
23. Why Hire a Wedding Coordinator?: Find out why a coordinator can help you save your sanity and money at the same time.
24. Wedding Control: Use this site to manage your invitations, guests, and more.
25. OurWeddingDay: On this site, you’ll find loads of free tools for managing your wedding.
26. Weddinic: This awesome tool will help you stay on task with wedding planning.

Guests

Get your guests organized and happy with these resources.

27. How to Organize Your Wedding Guest List with Complete Ease: Learn how you can make creating your guest list as painless as possible.
28. See You Then: Get all of your guests organized on this event planning site.
29. JotSpot: This family site can help you corrdinate schedules and get your family organized.
30. SimpleSeating: Use this tool to drap and drop your guests into seating arrangements.

Music & Entertainment

Get ideas for ceremony music, find a DJ, and more with these resources.

31. WeddingWire Music Database: WeddingWire’s collection of wedding songs offers the ability to listen to clips.
32. Wedding Music 101: Check out this advice site for advice on hiring a band or DJ, what to play and when you should play it, as well as tips for avoiding music mistakes.
33. GigSalad: Book your wedding talent on this site.
34. It’s a nice day for an iPod Wedding: CNet has a little bit of advice for couples who are thinking of using an iPod for wedding music.
35. Out Wedding Songs: This site has a song for every moment of your wedding-and other brides have rated and commented on what they think of them.
36. WeDJ: On WeDJ, you can find an awesome local disc jockey to play your wedding.
37. Top 100 Party Songs: This site lists all of the wedding favorites.

Invitations & Website

These resources are great for help with sharing information.

38. Wedding Websites: This site makes it easy to find the wedding website for you, offering lots of listings and reviews.
39. WeddingMapper: This tool is great for showing guests exactly where everything is.
40. Wedding invitation wording that won’t make you barf: Offbeat Bride has some great ideas for wording your wedding invitations.
41. What to put on your wedding website: Aisle Dash offers 7 things you should have on your website.

Fashion & Style

Check out wedding dresses, learn about alterations, and get style inspiration from these resources.

42. Bridal Gown Shopping Rules: A seamstress offers her advice for brides when looking for a wedding dress.
43. Wedding Dress Creator: With this tool, you can design your own dress.
44. Everything you need to know about having your wedding dress custom-made: The title says it all-this article has great advice for getting a wedding dress made just for you.
45. Custom Fit Tool: Brides.com offers a tool for matching your body type with a flattering dress.
46. Bride on a Budget: Finding Cheap Wedding Dresses: This article has some great advice for brides who want to save money on their dress.
47. Wedding Color Palette: With this tool, you can put together a color palette for your wedding.
48. 10 Resources to Help You Find and Purchase Blood-Free Diamonds: Check out this advice to find a diamond wedding ring you don’t have to feel guilty about.
49. Dress Your Wedding: David’s Bridal’s tool will help you visualize your wedding party.
50. Design*Sponge: Design*Sponge is one of the best places to go for inspiration and DIY ideas.
51. Etsy: Even if you don’t buy from Etsy sellers, you’ll get some awesome inspiration for wedding style.
52. The Great Bustle Debate: Get a look at a few different ways to bustle your dress here.
53. Wedding Dress Directory: The Wedding Channel has amassed a collection of over 30,000 gowns for inspiration and planning.

Health & Beauty

These resources will help you stay healthy and beautiful for your big day.

54. WeddingMakeup.com: This site has great advice and resources for wedding makeup.
55. Makeup Trial: Aislewalk’s makeup worksheet will help you plan your wedding day look.
56. Which Bridal Hair Style Should You Choose?: Style Hair Magazine offers ideas and inspiration.
57. How to Adapt your Makeup for your Wedding Day: This tutorial offers a step by step guide to doing your own makeup.
58. Taaz: Upload your photo to this site, and you can experiment with different makeup looks.
59. The Pre-Wedding Health Guide: 25 Things Every Bride Should Do to Stay Healthy Before the Big Day: Check out this article for some great advice on being a healthy bride.

Tech Tools

Take your wedding planning to the next level with these handy tools.

60. How to Plan a Wedding…Google Style: This blogger explains how she uses Google tools to plan her wedding.
61. Streamlining Family Projects with Google Docs: See how you can put together your wedding on Google Docs.
62. Backpack: 37Signals’ organization and collaboration tool is awesome for wedding planning.
63. Excel: A perennial favorite, this spreadsheet program is still one of the best tools for wedding planning.

Vendors

Find and manage vendors with these resources.

64. Selecting a Photographer for Your Wedding: Professional Photographers of America offers a few things to think about when hiring a wedding photographer.
65. Citysearch: Citysearch is a great place to get the truth about potential wedding vendors.
66. A Beautiful Affair of the Heart: Check out this site to find an officiant to marry you.
67. Yahoo! Local: Yahoo!’s directory offers an easy way to locate potential wedding vendors.
68. Wedding Cakes Across America: Check out this site’s gallery of cakes, and find a baker that will make one for you on this site.
69. Yelp: Yelp offers easy to find listings and reviews on local wedding vendors.
70. Wedding Cake Creations: This site has a great gallery of cakes, lots of advice, and a tools for finding your own cake maker.
71. Google Local: Find websites, contact information and more for wedding service professionals in your area with Google.

Green Weddings

Use these resources to plan a wedding that’s easy on the earth.

72. Portovert: Portovert is an awesome resource for finding an environmentally friendly location, vendors, and lots more.
73. Great Green Weddings: Any bride interested in having an eco-friendly wedding needs to check out this site.
74. How to Green Your Wedding: TreeHugger offers some tips and other great information for creating a wedding that’s light on the environment.
75. Ethical Weddings: From wedding gowns to suppliers, Ethical Weddings has you covered.

Parties

With these resources, you can get involved with planning all of the fun parties that will surround your wedding.

76. The Bachelor Party Photo Guide: Popular Photography has some advice for grooms who want to keep their night of debauchery a secret.
77. BridesmaidAid: This site has some great advice for bridesmaids planning a bridal shower.
78. Bachelorette Party Guide: Here you’ll find an awesome resource for drinking games, scavenger hunts, and more.

Wedding Horror

Look to these sites for both warnings and entertainment.

79. Ugly Dress: Don’t subject your bridesmaids to this.
80. Etiquette Hell: Check out the stories on this site to learn what not to do.

Blogs & Communities

Blogs and bridal communities are perhaps the most valuable resources a bride can have. They’re great about providing the latest trends, ideas, and tips that brides can use for planning, so be sure to check them out.

81. Wedded Bits: Brides.com’s blog has planning tips, trend coverage, and weddings in the news.
82. Hostess with the Mostess: The Hostess blog is good for any party, but brides will enjoy the fresh take found here.
83. Offbeat Bride: Ariel Stallings’ blog is an ode to brides that don’t want to mess with poofy dresses. Here you’ll find inspiration-"wedding porn"-for making your wedding unique and personal.
84. IndieBride: IndieBride’s Kvetch has a nice community of brides with great ideas.
85. Wedding Bee: Wedding Bee is a group blog for engaged women, but it’s more than just entries-the blog has a strong community as well as classifieds.
86. A Practical Wedding: Meg’s blog offers advice for planning a wedding that won’t drive you crazy.
87. Bridal Bar Blog: The Bridal Bar is an awesome blog to check out for inspiration.
88. WeddingWire: The Blog: WeddingWire’s blog is a nice mix of trend watches, current events, and advice for brides.
89. Elizabeth Anne Designs: Elizabeth’s blog practically defines wedding style, featuring breathtaking photos and lots of inspiration.
90. AisleDash: Aisle Dash is full of awesome galleries and advice.
91. IDoSugar: This new blog is full of great ideas and current events in weddings.
92. Polka Dot Bride: This Australia-based wedding blog is obsessed with cute style.
93. {ritzy bee blog}: Ritzy Bee is all about wedding details.

Miscellaneous

Find even more great resources for wedding planning here.

94. Wedding Vows: This site is full of sample vows, plus entire ceremonies and poems.
95. How to buy cheap flowers for wedding centerpieces: Find advice for cutting your floral cost at the reception here.
96. Napkin Folding Arrangements: Check out a variety of arrangements and learn how to execute them here.
97. Honeymoon Sex: Eight Adventurous Ideas: Grooms Magazine has some fun ideas for taking sex out of the honeymoon suite.
98. DIY Network: The DIY Network has loads of wedding related projects to check out.
99. Wedding Food Tips: Here you’ll find a variety of tips for food and alcohol.
100. 7 Tips on Destination Weddings: Smart Money offers some advice for couples considering a destination wedding.

There is no denying the impact that "Sex and the City" has made on the contemporary dating scene. Just ask any single, cosmopolitan woman and she will undoubtedly be familiar with the many adventures of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. We could all learn from the show, as it bravely unmasks every dirty detail of finding love in the modern world. Below are the 10 most essential dating lessons from "Sex and the City."

1. It’s Okay to Be Single – This was perhaps the most important lesson that "Sex and the City" bestowed upon the world, particularly where women were concerned. Although singledom didn’t always bring happiness to the four main characters, the ladies sure made it look like fun 90 percent of the time.

   To be single means to be independent, and with a fairy tale-like Manhattan glittering in the background, the show made us all feel okay with the idea of being single. These women were not spinsters — they were cosmopolitan sexpots. Refreshing, indeed.
    

2. Sex Can Be Healthy – Let’s face it: sex changed for us all when the AIDS virus started taking lives in the 1980s. Although we learned more about the disease and how it is contracted by the time we entered the 1990s, this association between sex and death still permeated the single community. With that came guilt for those who still enjoyed casual sex from time to time.

   Enter "Sex and the City" in 1998 and we all breathed a sigh of relief — people were still having sex! Safe sex, in all its full-frontal glory, was a huge part of the television series. Although this probably didn’t endear the show to religious fundamentalists, most people applauded its candor and a wiser, safer sexual revolution was born.
    

3. Test the Waters Before Marriage – Who can forget Charlotte’s doomed marriage to the seemingly perfect Trey? After meeting what she thought was the perfect man, the ever-romantic Charlotte decided to wait until marriage to consummate their love, only to discover later that he couldn’t be intimate with her.

   Of course, some people still believe that sex before marriage is wrong. Those same people probably don’t watch "Sex and the City" for love lessons. Most of us need to test the waters before marriage, as intimacy is an integral part of a healthy relationship. Even if you plan to save sex for marriage, it’s important that you ask questions about your partner’s sexual health.
    

4. You Can Score Outside of Your League – Never underestimate your ability to find love with someone who is seemingly "out of your league." Is someone you are interested in really good looking or in a higher socioeconomic class? This doesn’t mean you weren’t meant to be. Chances are, the idea that you aren’t good enough is just your skewed perception. Believe it or not, true love transcends superficiality.

   In a Season Three episode, Miranda begins dating a hot NYPD detective and subsequently ruins the relationship because she is so self-conscious about her own looks. Of course, he finds her very attractive, but her insecurity gets in the way of what could have been a great thing. Charlotte, on the other hand, learns that looks and WASPy status isn’t nearly as important as her love for second husband Harry.
    

5. Don’t Change Who You Are – This is a constant theme throughout the show, which only supports the girl power vibe for which "Sex and the City" is so well known. Never lose yourself in a relationship in order to conform to the other person’s life or ideals. Carrie found herself changing for a few men in the show. Although Aidan was seemingly the perfect guy, he wasn’t perfect for her.

   One of the more hilarious episodes showed Aidan unsuccessfully introducing the great outdoors to Carrie, a concrete-loving New York City girl. Towards the end of the series, Carrie again found herself lost in a relationship with a man: Russian artist Aleksandr Petrovsky. After pushing her best girlfriends away and moving to Paris with Aleksandr, she soon found she was unhappy because she was living his life instead of her own.
    

6. Your Friends are the Best Sounding Boards – Not only did "Sex and the City" teach us that being single was okay, it glorified the tight bonds between friends. The ladies on the show shared every detail of their romantic lives with each other. Not sure what to think of your current love interest? Your BFFs could impart some valued, third party opinions.

   Of course, not all of us listen to sound advice, which was the case many times on the show. Charlotte was warned that she was moving too fast with Trey, and how many times was Carrie reminded how difficult Mr. Big could be?
    

7. Don’t Drag Out a Doomed Relationship – If the signs are there, don’t ignore them. Carrie found a very nice guy in Aidan, but she knew he wasn’t right for her. Still, she persevered, even sharing her coveted Manhattan apartment with him. Never mind her refusal to wear her engagement ring on her finger — when Aidan started messing with her apartment, we all knew there was trouble.

   Of course, the most painful attempt to "make it work" on the show was poor Charlotte and her unwavering devotion to Trey. Yep, a grown man who bathes with his intrusive mother in the room is probably one to avoid. Still, Charlotte agonized as she tried to be the perfect wife in an imperfect relationship.
    

8. Learn to Accept the Other Person’s Disinterest – One of the most memorable phrases ever uttered throughout the series was "he’s just not that into you." In fact, this even spawned a hit book and an upcoming film. After a flirty Miranda asks a date to come upstairs to her apartment, she is bewildered when the guy blows her off. How could he possibly decline what was a thinly veiled invitation for sex?

   Carrie’s boyfriend Berger informs Miranda that, "he’s just not that into you." Sometimes, it is as simple as that: he or she just isn’t into you and you need to move on. Don’t overanalyze it — just simply find someone who is into you. Yes, it might hurt your ego a little bit, but Miranda didn’t let it bother her that much. In fact, the always-logical lawyer reveled in its simplicity.
    

9. Stop Waiting for Perfection – Are you looking for that fairy tale romance? Do you believe in that one true soul mate who will enter your life in cinematic bravado? Then wake up now and realize that perfection rarely exists. Relationships are messy and loud — even the good ones. You really do have to work at it.

   Charlotte was almost childlike in her expectations of a "perfect" relationship. This would result in a lot of disappointment. Likewise, Carrie and Mr. Big would experience a cavalcade of break ups before they finally realized that they loved each other despite the fact that their relationship was far from perfect.
    

10. Opposites Can Attract – This isn’t just about someone who is out of your league, but someone who is your complete opposite. Although you may be looking for love in someone similar to yourself, you just might your soul mate in a person who is totally different.

    Would the work-obsessed and overly responsible Miranda ever dream she would marry a childish bartender? Surprisingly, it actually worked once she finally accepted that opposites really do attract, and can work to balance each other.

 By Alisa Miller

Divorce can leave you reeling, but when you start to pick up the pieces of your life and decide to move back into dating, it can feel a bit strange. If you were married for a long time, you may even feel too intimidated to try dating again. Have no worries, you can jump back into dating and actually enjoy finding out about yourself and meeting other people in the process. The following list offers ideas on how to get prepared for dating, how to go about reconnecting and finding dates, and what to do when you actually start dating.

Re-establish Your Identity

Being a part of a couple for a while will certainly take some of your individuality away. Take advantage of this time after your divorce to find that individuality again. Learn new hobbies, find old friends, and treat yourself with respect. This list tells you how to do that and more.

1. Let go of the past. You will not be able to move forward until you resolve your feelings about the break-up of your marriage and the divorce. Once you work through these feelings, you’ll find yourself in a much better place to go on with your life.
2. Rekindle old interests. Did you have a passion for photography before you got married? Pick up that camera again. You may find that you can rediscover yourself through those interests you pushed aside during the marriage.
3. Find new interests. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint or go kayaking. Taking up new interests now will help you rediscover qualities about yourself you may have forgotten. It will also get you out and meeting new people.
4. Learn to enjoy your own company. After living with someone for a while, it can be difficult to enjoy doing things alone. Find ways to have fun on your own.
5. Take care of yourself. If you’ve gained a few extra pounds, find a way to get some exercise. Eat healthily and take time to pamper yourself. If you feel good about the way you look and feel, others will too.
6. Lose the negative self-image. If you feel poorly about yourself, you are likely to attract people who will treat you badly. Make a list of your good qualities and remind yourself often of them. Work on building yourself up.
7. Develop new friendships. You don’t have to ignore your old friends, but often it is helpful to have a new network of friends who didn’t know you and your ex as a couple. New friendships and support systems can help ease your transition after divorce.
8. Reconnect with old friends. Track down old friends with whom you’ve lost touch over the years. Whether you find you’ve still got lots in common or you’ve both moved on, it will likely enrich your life anyway.
9. Volunteer. No matter if you have a lot of free time or almost none, there is some place you can volunteer your time. Devoting some time working for others is a great way to discover new things about yourself.
10. Start a new career. If you’ve been working in a job you hate or if you were staying at home with the children, after a divorce is a good time to start down a new path. Start taking steps to get you going toward that career you’ve always wanted.

Social Networking

One of the most popular ways to stay in touch with friends is through social networking sites. With many sites, not only can you keep up with friends you see every day, but you can also follow those who live further away. Some social networking sites also serve as dating sites, too. If you aren’t already familiar with social networking, after a divorce is a great time to discover it–you might be surprised to find so many of your friends already there. Check out some of these sites below.

11. Facebook. Find your friends on Facebook, then share photos, play games like Scrabulous, and keep up with what’s happening in their lives. Facebook allows you to adjust privacy controls so that you can choose who sees your profile information.
12. MySpace. Like Facebook, MySpace allows you to connect with friends and stay current with their lives. MySpace offers music on the profiles and you can personalize your page to your liking.
13. Twitter. If you just want to keep your friends updated and know what they are up to, Twitter allows you to type in a short update that goes out to your friends. If you like getting messages on your phone, have the updates go directly there.
14. Pownce. Share messages, files, links, and events with your friends on Pownce. Its aesthetically pleasing design earned itself a place in 10 Most Beautiful Social Networks.
15. Meetup.com. Choose an interest such as knitting, politics, or speaking French and find a group in your area. Meetups usually happen on a specified day of each month.
16. Classmates.com. Use this site to find old friends from high school, college, the military, and workplaces. You can also connect with people through specific interest groups. This service is free, but to have full access, you will have to buy a subscription.
17. Reunion.com. Reunion provides the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, family, and lost loves. With a free membership, you can create a profile and search for friends. With a paid subscription, you get other benefits such as finding out who was searching for you and sending messages to other members.
18. Flickr. Upload your photos and share them with friends and family on this site. Search for people you know or join a special interest group such as people who appreciate black and white photography.
19. Flixster. This is the social networking site for movie lovers. You can find your friends and share your favorite movies with them. Also, keep updated on the news from the movie world and meet other movie fans.
20. Last.fm. For music fans, check out Last.fm. Upload music and videos, discover new music, and share your favorites with your friends. You can also find new friends with similar taste in music.
21. Shelfari. Book lovers will love this site. Create a virtual book shelf of what you’ve read, are currently reading, or want to read and share with your friends. Connect with new friends in groups and share your book shelf on your blog or other social networking sites.

Online Dating

If you were married for more than a handful of years, dating is much different than it was when you were doing it before. Online dating is the most popular way to get out there and find a partner. The following list offers some of the most popular online dating services.

22. Yahoo! Personals. Completely free, this online dating service offers a wide range of categories from which you can search. Due to not having a cost associated with it and the popularity of Yahoo!, you are sure to find lots of potential here.
23. Match.com. One of the top online dating services, Match.com provides a huge member database. You can browse for free, but you will need a membership to contact any potential matches.
24. Friendfinder. This site is ideal for those who are starting to date again and just want to get their feet wet. Friendfinder is great for anyone hoping to find fun, friend, and maybe even love. There’s no pressure to hit it off romantically, so you can just enjoy the new people you meet.
25. eHarmony. This dating service offers a unique approach to online dating. Instead of browsing for dates or waiting for someone to come to you, they rely on a complex personality matching formula and provide you with potential matches. 
26. Perfectmatch.com. Using a compatibility system, this dating site emails you when a good match for you becomes available. Perfectmatch.com has been receiving lots of rave reviews recently.
27. SinglesNet. This free service offers most of the same services available in the for-pay dating services. Gaining in popularity, the database is over 5 million strong.
28. Lavalife. Choose to look for dates, relationships, or intimate encounters on this site. You can create three different profiles for each of the three different categories offered or select only one or two of them. This service is totally free and has a huge member base.
29. Great Expectations. Combining online dating services and in-person matchmaking, this service meets every member in person and creates a match for potential dates. They also offer invitations to Great Expectations events where you can meet members face-to-face. This service is available in about 50 cities in the U.S.
30. Matchmaker. Answer questions about major issues to create your matchability with this site. The service is free, but you will need to pay if you want to contact a member.
31. American Singles. This site matches singles of any age and background. Touting itself as a dating site for everyone, you can choose a specific type of dating environment such as older or divorced couples.
32. SeniorFriendFinder. This site advertises to 50 somethings. It has over 2 million singles in their system, and anyone can join for free.

Getting out There

You’ve prepared yourself, made connections, and have figured out how to find a date. Now it’s time to actually go out. Follow these suggestions to make sure your first dating experiences go well and you enjoy yourself.

33. Don’t talk about the divorce. Especially if you just finalized the divorce or it was particularly messy, the temptation to talk about the details will be strong. Resist the temptation and focus on the person across the table from you instead.
34. Keep child-talk to a minimum. If you have children, don’t spend the whole date talking about them. Keep to a maximum of about five minutes, then move on to something else.
35. Show interest. You have accepted or asked someone on a date, so spend that time finding out about them. Try not to compare them to your ex, but find out what makes them unique and fun to know.
36. Don’t go too fast. The unexpected loneliness of divorce or the desire to fill a gap left empty by your ex may drive you to want to remarry right away. Instead, slow down and enjoy the chance you have to enjoy meeting others or reconnecting with your interests.
37. Relax. Leave your insecurities about being out of the dating scene at home. Have fun, enjoy your date, and you will find that your date will appreciate you for just being yourself.
38. Be accepting. Know that your date has also lived a full life that may not be exactly what you expect. Be accepting of the fact that your date may have commitments to children, debt from divorce, or any other number of factors that you might not have anticipated.
39. But don’t settle. Just because you are feeling lonely, don’t settle for less than what you deserve. A woman who always breaks your dates to be with her friends or a man who treats you with no respect are just not worth your time.
40. Be aware of old patterns. If you have a history of dating (or marrying) a certain type of person, learn how to break the cycle. Especially if your past choices have lead you to dangerous situations such as drug abuse or violence, seek help to learn how to get away from your old patterns.
41. Whether to have sex. Whether or not to have sex with your date or how quickly to engage in sex may have a very different feel after being married. You may want to jump right in there again or need to take things slowly. Listen to yourself and do what you need.
42. Having sex. Once you do begin having sex again, always take precautions against STDs. Talk openly with your partner about your sexual health and use condoms.
43. Practice dating. Let yourself go out with people who might not be the perfect match. This allows you to get back into the swing of things with a lot less pressure to make the date go perfectly.
44. First relationship. Many experts believe that the first real relationship after your divorce is an important one for the healing process. Statistics indicate that this first relationship is very unlikely to last, but it provides you a chance to make the transition into your new life.

Dating with Kids

If you have children from your marriage, you have an added challenge to dating. Don’t be discouraged, though. You can and should get out there even with a family. These tips offer ways to make dating and parenting work together.

45. Talk to your kids. Let them know you will be meeting other people, but reassure them that you love them very much and no one will replace them. This article offers great advice for starting the conversation and keeping the lines open.
46. Don’t introduce every date. If you have your children meet every person you date, it can confuse them. Leave the introduction for that special someone who will be around for more than a few dates.
47. Let the relationship with the kids happen naturally. If you introduce your children and they don’t respond well, give them time. Don’t try to force the relationship to happen or you may drive them away.
48. Let parenting come in its time. If your new boyfriend or girlfriend is becoming more than just a casual date, don’t force him or her into parenting your children too soon. When all of you are comfortable with soccer practice pick-ups or disciplining the children, it will occur naturally.
49. Don’t let the kids control you. Your children may feel resentful that you are spending less time with them if you start dating someone. Don’t let their feelings stop you from dating. Listen to your children’s feelings and then explain that you like to be with friends just like they do–and reassure them that you love them.
50. Find a balance. You may feel that your children must always take priority over a date or that your need for a date must always take priority over the children. Neither way is healthy for you or your family. Find a balance and make time for both.

By Heather Johnson

Even if you think you’ve got a satisfying sex life, there’s a chance you haven’t tapped into your full erotic potential. Role playing, bedroom games and chocolate syrup are all well and good, but to get you really going, we’re dropping these 15 gadgets into your lap to encourage you to try something a little…or a lot wilder. From robots to swings to teeny vibrators that hide in your underwear, you can make the most of these sexy toys with or without a partner.

Vibrators

These toys go way beyond the ordinary vibrator. Have fun with features like rotating beads, wireless remote control capabilities, and special-powered rabbit ears.

1. The Rabbit: Sex and the City fans will never forget the Season 1 episode in which Miranda and Carrie had to stage an intervention for Charlotte and this vibrator. There are several different versions of the vibrator, including models with swirling pearl beads inside, vibrators that can go in the water, and rabbits that focus especially on the G-spot. All of these vibrators come with a wireless remote control so you can let the rabbit get busy while you relax.
2. Hitachi Magic Wand: The website Holistic Wisdom ranks this vibrator as "one of the best sex toys available." Use the Hitachi Magic Wand as a body massager or as a vibrator with or without the G-spot stimulation attachment. Holistic Wisdom also considers this toy as one of the best sex toys for overweight men and women.
3. Vibro Pod: This vibrator is mp3 compatible, so your vibrations pulse along to the rhythm of the song you’re listening to. The Vibro Pod also features an 8-function mode so you can enjoy 8 different types of vibrations and escalations if you don’t have an mp3 player or just want to mix things up.
4. Cyberskin Passion Flower Strap On: This strap on is designed to stimulate your clitoris during masturbation, oral sex or intercourse. The woman straps the vibrator on, and the super quiet hum massages in all the right places without causing a distraction.
5. TongueJoy Oral Vibrator: This teeny vibrator straps onto your tongue, giving your partner ultimate satisfaction during oral sex. The vibrator is battery operated, chrome plated and comes with three different sized bands.

Sex Machines and Robots

For the truly experimental, these sex machines and sex robots offer other worldly sexual adventures.

6. Love Machine: This intense sex machine almost looks like a workout machine, but its dildo and PassionSkin Stroker attachments leave little to the imagination. The machine features a motor that can thrust and stroke you virtually anywhere, vibrating accessories, and different speeds to give you a customized experience on your back, from behind, on top, and any other way you like it.
7. Spinning Swing: This sex swing also comes with a stand, so you can set it up in any room in your house. The swing features 360-degree rotation and can hold up to 400 lbs.
8. Andy: Andy is short of Android, and she’s a beloved sex robot with an eerily human appearance. Andy is made with silicone, and she is able to mimic real-life breathing, moaning and sighing. If you ask nicely, Andy can even move around in different positions and urinate, if you so desire.
9. Infrared Electric Massager: This vibrator also comes with internal sleeves for women, allowing both partners to experiment with different textures and vibrations.
10. Peekaboo Pole Dancing Kit: Assemble your own pole so that you can treat your lover to a sexy striptease wherever you want.

Portable Goodies

Sex doesn’t just take place in the bedroom. Take your sexploration with you wherever you go with these fun toys.

11. Penis Sleeves: If you want to instantly grow your penis a few inches around or in length, try putting on one of these penis sleeves. You can browse vibrating sleeves, sleeves with special G-spot reach capabilities, and sleeves with solid tips.
12. Vibrating Panty Pals: You can have an orgasm whenever and wherever you want when you apply one of these battery-powered clitoris stimulators to your underwear. They come in three different designs: a red heart, a pink butterfly, and a purple star.
13. Masturbation Sleeve: The top of this sleeve resembles a woman’s vagina, and once you slip inside, pearl beads massage your penis according to varying speeds. The opening features a sucking motion to give you pleasure all over, and the toy also comes with a snap-on lid for easy transportation.
14. Blow Job Simulator: If you’re desperate for a blow job but don’t have a go-to partner, try out one of these blow job simulators. They come in designs as graphic as you like.
15. Hide Your Vibe Pillow: This toy looks like an ordinary leopard-skin print pillow, but it features a secret "magical" pocket "where you can easily ‘park’ your favorite vibe for long-long time."

By Laura Milligan

When you’ve just broken up with someone, you’re probably stuck between wanting to obsess about your ex and your relationship and wanting to zap yourself into the magical realm of "I’m so over it and on to something new." If you’re staying up until 3 a.m. searching the Internet for answers to why "the one" turned out to be "the one who dumped you," make this list your first stop. We’ve compiled over 100 different resources to soothe your aching heart, indulge in distractions to avoid wallowing 24/7, and eventually move on and maybe even start dating again. But let’s take it slow.

Grieving and the First Steps

Let yourself grieve the healthy way by considering these tips and little bits of advice that will help you get back on your feet - gradually.

1. How to Survive a Break Up: MamasHealth.com recommends making the best of your new free time, learning to accept your emotions, and doing something for yourself to get over a break up.
2. 10 Tips to Help Get Through a Break Up: These ten tips will help you grieve without letting you fall apart.
3. The Aftermath of a Break up: This article explores how people feel after a break up and tries to offer comfort for dealing with the pain and confusion that comes when a relationship ends.
4. Empowering Break Up Songs: This list of songs includes "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera, "Strong Enough," by Cher, and "You Keep Me Hangin’ On," by The Supremes.
5. Get Through a Break Up: This post challenges readers to get some physical contact, exercise, and force themselves to be social.
6. Dealing With Anger After a Break Up: This three-part series will help you deal with anger in a healthy, responsible way.
7. Losing a Partner: If you’ve been in a long-term relationship, you’re probably having a very tough time losing your partner, even if you’re trying to focus on the bad parts. This article will help you grieve and then move on.
8. Stop Crying and Get Over It: This post explores break up behavior like denial and depression, and gives tips on how to get over it.
9. Your Girlfriend Left You, Now What?: If you’re trying to get over the pain and shock of a sudden break up, turn to this guide for help.
10. Extreme Breakup Recovery: Maximum Healing, Minimum Time: This approach recommends facing the reality of the break up, accepting it, seeing the lessons, and then taking yourself to a new level.
11. The Emotions of Grief During a Breakup: Susan J. Elliott, J.D., M.Ed. of the blog Getting Past Your Past http://GettingPastYourPast.wordpress.com goes over the three phases of grief in this post.
12. College Candy’s Break-Up Survival Kit: The College Candy offers this survival kit for dealing with a break up, including making lots of plans, getting drunk and putting chamomile tea bags on your puffy red eyes.

Counseling

These articles focus on the emotional pain of breaking up and how you can heal yourself back to normal.

13. It’s Not Me It’s You: Read the review of this popular break-up advice book here.
14. Getting Through a Breakup: The UCLA Center for Women and Men posts this article to help you heal, gain perspective, and find support in the wake of a painful break up.
15. Break-ups: How To Survive Them: This post goes over emotional effects of a break up like having trouble trusting anyone, struggling with starting over, and even suffering an identity crisis.
16. Recovering From a Break-Up: This article from the University of California - Riverside Counseling Center has lots of advice for young singles going through a tough break up.

Divorce

Breaking up a 6-month relationship isn’t the same as getting a divorce. Read this list for unique advice for more complicated break ups.

17. Stages of Divorce/Breakup: Understand the normal stages of getting through a divorce, and you’ll be more ready to accept and get through each one.
18. Divorce 360: This site is still in beta form, but it hosts lots of resources for deciding whether or not to get divorced, moving on, getting through a separation, marriage counseling, and more.
19. Protecting Children Through a Divorce of Break-Up: For many divorcing couples, protecting their children is a huge worry. Use this guide to help you manage it the right way.
20. Dealing with a Divorce: From "splitting the assets" to breaking the news to your children to moving on, this post tackles it all.
21. Moving On Checklist: Steps to Consider After Divorce: If you think you’re finally ready to move on after a divorce, consider these steps first.
22. Helping Your Child Cope with the Breakup: Get great tips for managing your divorce and your children in this article.

Break up Humor

Sometimes a little laugh will help you get through the worst times. Check out these humorous break up jokes and stories to give yourself a little relief.

23. We’re Through: The Breakup Song: This song is a funny remake of the end song in Juno.
24. Boozing Through a Break Up: Drowning your sorrows in alcohol to get over your ex may not be the healthiest strategy, but this article offers a hysterical take on boozing through your break up.
25. Shocking Statistic Reveals 1 in 7 Share K-FEd’s Breakup Fate: At least your ex didn’t break up with you in front of millions of people. Or if they did, at least you’re not alone!
26. No One Cares About Your Girlfriend Back Home: If you’re feeling bad about breaking up because long distance wasn’t a great idea, read this funny article from the Onion.
27. Top 10 Ways to Break Up: This humorous article lists "stop showering" and "fake your own death" as ways to break up with someone.
28. Breaking Up is Hard to Do: This article lists break up reactions according to college major. For example, business majors would "decide that they’re spending way too much money," and education majors would "concede that the relationship was a learning experience."
29. Why Booze and Breakups Don’t Mix: This article actually offers good advice, but you’ll probably get a kick out of imagining the drunk dial scenarios.
30. Cyber Break Up Humor: This parody lists different reasons why a cyber couple would break up.
31. Funny Break Up Stories: Here’s a clip from Oprah that features crazy real-life break up stories in honor of the release of the film The Break Up with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. If the stories don’t make you feel better, getting to look at Vince Vaughn might!
32. How to Break Up: This funny, oversimplified cartoon tracks a relationship through the happy times, break ups, back together again, another break up…you get the idea.

Articles and Guides

Sometimes you just want someone else to tell you how to behave and what to do after a break up, helping you pick yourself up off the floor and start behaving like a coherent human being. You’ll find plenty of survival guides here.

33. How to Get Through a Breakup: Tips like "stay away from your ex" and "express yourself" will help you concentrate on the things that you really want in life.
34. How to Get Through a Break Up: This guide walks you through each step of the breaking up process.
35. The DUMPED! Break-Up Survival Guide: This article on Girlposse.com will help you through the first 48 hours, the first week, second week, and last two weeks of a break up.
36. How to Break Up: Part I: Catherine Specter of The Huffington Post writes about distracting yourself, surviving the first few days, and rebounding the right way.
37. Steps to Getting Through a Break Up: Can you get over a break up in ten steps? Follow this guide to find out.
38. How to Get Through a Break Up: If you’re tired of reading sappy articles about getting over your ex, try this cut and dry guide from eHow.com.
39. Helping a Friend Through a Breakup: If your friend is having a tough time recuperating from a bad break up, read this guide for help knowing what to do.
40. Getting Through a Breakup: This article is written for adolescents trying to cope with their first breakup.
41. When Breakups Aren’t So Clean: Cutting ties with your ex isn’t so easy when you work in the same office, have the same friends and aren’t able to get your stuff back. This article finds ways to deal with the messier problems.
42. Breakup Don’ts: Don’t forget to bathe, don’t stalk your ex’s new boyfriend or girlfriend, and definitely don’t get too out of control socially after a break up.
43. What do Do After a Breakup: This article helps new singles get "to the day when [they] can tell [themselves] "what was I thinking?"
44. Digital Breakup: This collection of online tools and resources will help you break up with someone, get over your break up, and start dating again.
45. Getting Through a Break Up: This terrific guide from nzgirl goes over the things you will feel like doing after a break up vs. the things you should you do.

Being Independent

After a break up, it’s tough to imagine being independent. Stop feeling lonely and start realizing that you might actually be a pretty cool person to hang out with — by yourself.

46. The Magic Formula for Overcoming a Break-up Fast: This blogger lists seven important traits for getting over a break up super fast.
47. Why You Should Never Try and Sacrifice Your Values to Save a Relationship: If you’re feeling guilty about breaking up with someone because you refused to change, read this article to give your self-confidence a boost.
48. To 5 Break Up Songs: This list of break up songs focuses on being alone and being free.
49. Breaking Through: Senior Spring Break-Up Blitz: This guide for college students offers advice for freeing yourself of a relationship before graduation.
50. Breaking Up Late in Life: Being independent after a very long relationship can be scary when you’re past the traditional dating age. Get advice from this post.
51. What’s So Great About Being Alone?: Find out what real readers have to say about being alone, and you’ll find new ideas for things to keep you preoccupied.
52. Should You Be Single for a While?: Consider the single life before moving on to another relationship right away.
53. The Singles Cafe: This site has several articles about living alone, being independent and being more social.
54. Rediscovering Yourself and Being Your Own Person: This post shows you how to "re-discover and re-invent" yourself after a relationship ends.
55. How to Inch Your Way Back to Being Social: If you and your ex spent all your time exclusively together, you may find that forcing yourself to be social after a break up is tough. This guide will help you through the transition.

Learning from Your Break Up

Take these quizzes and read these relationship education posts to turn your break up into a learning experience.

56. 10 Positive Break Up Quotes and What We Can Learn From Them: These "positive and inspiring break up quotes" will help you get over your break up in a healthy way.
57. Learning From a Relationship Breakdown: This detailed article goes over typical feelings during a break up and offers up lessons that can be learned from the end of the relationship.
58. Boosting Self-Esteem After a Breakup: This Q&A from iVillage emphasizes the importance of focusing on your needs and your confidence levels after a break up.
59. The Break-Up Test: Take this quiz to see if you’re ready to move on.
60. What Went Wrong? When Relationships Go From Hot to Cold: Learn what leads to a sour relationship so you’ll know better next time.
61. The Post-Breakup Quiz: Cheer yourself up by discovering you’re probably better off without your ex in this quiz.
62. Test Your Commitment Readiness: Did you learn anything from your last relationship? Find out if you’re ready to get serious again with this quiz.
63. Do You Fall In Love Too Fast?: Take this test and find out if this is the reason for your last break up.
64. Who’s Your Mr. Right?: Get over your last guy by finding how that your true Mr. Right is someone completely different.
65. Relationship Quizzes: Visit this site for tons of relationship quizzes that will gradually help you move on and learn more about yourself.

Blogs and Sites

From an online comic strip to The Breakup Blog, bookmark these sites so you can turn to them for help over and over again.

66. LovesAGame: This blog is all about break ups, relationship healing, dealing with your ex and lost loves.
67. The Breakup Blog: Recent posts on this blog include "6 Signs You’re Finally Over Your Ex-Girlfriend," and "Why Sex With The Ex Is Bad News During A Breakup."
68. Breakup Girl: This site includes advice, comics and animation based on Breakup Girl, the "only superhero whose domain is love — or lack thereof — and who mends broken hearts worldwide with the help of the worldwide Web." Her "job is to fight crimes of the heart, stop dating indignities, get your stuff back, help you help your mom through your breakup, [and] make good relationships great."

Getting Support and Moving On

After you’ve grieved, moped and trash talked your ex to your friends, it’s time to get yourself ready to move on. Find support and encouragement in this list.

69. How Do You Get Through a Breakup?: Dive Caroline asks readers to share their real-life tips for getting over a break up. Read their responses for extra advice.
70. How Do I Get Through a Bad Break up?: Find out what readers have to say about getting through a break up here.
71. How to Forget a Past Relationship: This realistic guide can help you totally let go of a past relationship.
72. If At First You Don’t Succeed?: Should you try to get back together with your ex after a painful break up? This article explores the option.
73. Moving On: Life After Your Ex: There is definitely life after your ex. Learn how to "clean house," limit contact with your ex and forgive him or her so that you can effectively move on.
74. 10 Things You Should Know Before You Commit: If your last relationship lasted several years, you may have forgotten the things you should know and do before starting up a new one. Use this guide for tips on how to commit again.
75. The Vicious Cycle of Your Memories: Stop torturing yourself with relationship memories by taking the advice offered here.
76. After a Breakup: Getting Back in the Game: This article offers advice like "get pampered," "take care of your body," and "help someone else" to give you the confidence to move on.
77. Relationships: How to Start Moving on from a Break-up: LifeSpy’s article suggests getting rid of relationship souvenirs, organizing a fresh start and staying away from sappy movies as effective ways to move on.
78. From Being Under Him to Getting Over Him: A Timeline: If all your friends hated your ex, how long will it take you to get over him? What about if the sex was great or he forgot all your birthdays? Find out in this fun timeline.

Distractions

Movies and other distractions will indulge your break up obsession but will give you a little perspective on your specific situation.

79. An Inspiring Break Up Movie You Must Not Miss: This blogger recommends watching Under the Tuscan Sun to help you get over a break up.
80. Break-Up Movies: From Fatal Attraction to The Way We Were to When Harry Met Sally, these are some of the best break-up movies.
81. Just Went Through a Breakup? Time to Party!: College Candy recommends throwing yourself a party to help get you through a breakup. The article has lots of links and ideas to help you with the theme.
82. Five Songs to Get You Through the Night: The Messy Breakup: Soothe your teary self to sleep with songs like "At Least that’s What You Said" and "Road to Joy."
83. 3 Healthy Distractions from Break-Up Pain: This article lauds the power of a girls’ night out, shopping sprees and a new healthy diet and exercise plan.
84. Sexiest Stars: TV’s Hottest Men: Was your ex as hot as Chace Crawford or Taye Diggs? We doubt it.
85. Post Break-Up Distractions: Guys will find distraction in these activities.
86. SI Swimsuit Collection: There are plenty of other fish in the sea, and you can start moving on from your break up here.

Dating Again

Gradually get back in the game by posting a profile on an online dating site and increasing your circle of friends.

87. Online Dating — A Cure for Post Breakup Blues: Find out why online dating can help you ease back into the dating game.
88. Dating After a Break-Up: This article suggests several different ideas for meeting new people.
89. After a Break-Up: How to Enter the Dating Scene: Tips like "do not jump into the bedroom too quickly" and "learn how to compromise" are smart tips for new singles.
90. How Online Dating Helps You Recover from a Break-Up: This article asks readers to consider online dating before tackling real-world dating.
91. Blind Dating Tips: If you’re not up to searching for a date yourself, have your friends set you up.
92. How to Fall in Love Again after a Breakup: Even if you’re not ready for love just yet, reading this article might make you feel better, by letting you know that it’s possible to love again.
93. How to Get Through Your First Date After the Divorce: If you’re nervous about dating again after being a in a long-term relationship, consider the advice in this article.
94. 6 Guys You Don’t Want to Date After a Divorce: From the "Mr. Angry - I’m Divorced Too" guy to "The Dr. Phil Clone," steer clear of these losers.

Meeting Your Ex for the First Time

Prepare yourself for the inevitable first meeting with your ex by considering the advice offered here.

95. 6 Tips on Playing it Cool During an Ex-Sighting: Don’t run and hide when you see your ex for the first time since the break up. Turn to this guide to help you make the most of the dreaded encounter.
96. "Meet Your Ex-Girlfriend After a Breakup — 6 Dos and Dont’s: From keeping the mood light to acting cool to keeping your expectations low, this guide goes over the basic rules for meeting an ex for the first time.
97. Can We Be Friends? Shifting from Partnership to Friendship: This smart guide will help you decide whether or not being friends with your ex is a good idea for your specific situation.
98. How do You Respond When You Run Into Your Ex?: Find out how real-life readers answer this question on the Love Shack forum.

Miscellaneous

From being on a break to browsing items at The Break-Up SuperShop, this list has even more break up resources to keep you going.

99. On a ‘Break’: What does being on a "break" really mean? This article "examine[s] the male psyche" to find out.
100. Sex With Your Ex: Should you have noncommittal sex with your ex? This article explores whether or not it’s a good idea.
101. The Break-Up SuperShop: Girlposse.com’s break-up store has a variety of books about surviving a break up.
102. Dealing with a Break Up: Find out how to "get custody" of your friends, survive being dumped, and start dating again with the help of this article.

 By Laura Milligan

Quick: a cougar with $100 bills dripping from her pocketbook is passing you by! Do you a) follow behind her snatching up the money before dashing off; b) catch a handful of the cash and return it to her hoping for a reward; or c) leave all of the money on the ground and "bump" into her by mistake before whisking her off her feet and charming her into a solid relationship that results in your becoming her sole benefactor in her will. If you want lessons in how to be a successful gold digger, turn to this list of more than 50 tips, all designed to get you rich quick.

The Hunt

Find yourself a sugar daddy or sugar mama by following this advice.

1. Get your priorities straight