Well, real life certainly is more bizarre than television and when they mix, it can be so confusing. Real Life Housewives of Orange County star Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley were spotted getting cozy at L.A.’s Glen Art Fall Fashion Show. They were also photographed on a boat in Newport Beach lathering each other in suntan oil and kissing.

For all of you newbies to OC Housewives,Slade was former Houswives De La Rosa’s ex-fiancé as well as the former boyfriend of another former Housewife, Lauri Waring.

This guy certainly gets around. Seems he really does like the attention and fame that goes along with all the fun he obviously is having!

Gretchen has also had her entanglements and scandal when she was called out on season 4 for supposedly cheating on her now dead fiancé.

Do you think that Slade is hoping for a cameo for season 5 of Real Housewives of Orange County?

According to sources for People Magazine, Christina Ricci and Owen Benjamin have ended their engagement.  They went public with their relationship  last October and within 4 months were engaged and headed towards that all so lasting Hollywood bliss! Surprise, surprise.. right?

Christina and Owen met in 2008 on the set of their film, All’s Faire in Love. According to a source close to the couple,”They really are still close. They talk almost every day”

Finding someone to share your life with in later years can be wonderful and actually extend both your quality of life as well as your lifespan. It can bring with it however some issues that are complex and should be discussed.

Normally, when we have reached retirement, we have reached financial security. Many seniors own their own home, have 401ks and retirement income. The thought of risking financial stability and our loved one’s inheritance can be rather daunting.

Many seniors are no longer marrying because of their finances. Living together and even maintaining 2 homes is quite accepted and perhaps offers a solution to being able to have companionship without the concerns of risking wealth or security.

The decision of where to take a relationship in our later years is one that has to be made by both parties. There are many successful marriages that take place because couples can work through the decisions of how the money will be spent, merged and if one or both parties will take part in providing income.

When dating, the same rules normally apply. The male normally will pay for most dates. When the relationship becomes more serious, then it is important to make decisions about the future. Many seniors feel they don’t want to waste years with someone that is not of the same mindset. Don’t feel uncomfortable communicating your feelings and expectations.

There are ways to successfully have a long term relationship or marriage by coming to an agreement concerning money. Prenuptial agreements are very popular and can assure both you and your partner as well as family members of everyone’s intentions. It can relieve the stress of feeling powerless about your financial future if your spouse goes off the deep end with spending. Or, if something should happen to you and you want to make sure your children are provided for.

The three most important things that we recommend at Successfuldatingpro.com is that you:

1. Make a will

2. Discuss a possible prenup if contemplating marriage

3. Discuss fully how you feel about money, spending and how each one of you is going to contribute.

Being single sounds great when you are just coming out of a tumultuos relationship or have been burned numerous times. Long term though, being singles can become rather mundane,  and studies have actually shown that is can actually shorten your lifespan.

In addition to the previously mentioned disadvantages of being single, not having someone to snuggle up to while watching a movie, or even having a regular sex partner can cause lonliness and frustration.  Humans need contact with others and we are biologically engineered to fall in love and connect with someone. When you take the companionship out of our existence, it creates a void.

Other disadvantages of being single can be economic. Having two household incomes is much better than struggling by oneself. This is especially relevant in today’s economy. It is always better to be self sufficient, but knowing there is additional income for nights out or trips increases your quality and enjoyment of life.

If you are a single parent and trying to date, having children makes it more difficult. Trying to find baby sitters, afford them and juggle a relationship can be almost impossible. Also, having someone there to support your decisons and assist you with raising children can be not only helpful but necessary. Not everyone can do it all single handedly.

When I ask people, “What are the disadvantages of being single‘”, normally they will say,  feeling lonely or missing someone to hang out with. What do you think are the disadvantages of being single? Perhaps you are at a contented place in your life and enjoy your singlehood!!

Part of the dating process is finding someone that is attracted to you and that you find appealing as well. Sometimes, when we have been in a relationship for quite sometime or have been out of the loop with dating, we don’t concern ourselves with our physical appearance.

If you have gained weight and feel this is stopping you from finding the type of person you are searching for, getting fit should be at the top of your list. It also is essential for your health.

The problem is that most people don’t have a clue where to start.  There is so much information online and through infomercials on getting fit that it is hard to know where to begin.

The first step is to decide why you want to lose the weight. If it is just to boost your confidence and feel attractive, it probably won’t last long. The key is to also realize that it is imperative to your health as well.

So, now where do you start on your journey to getting fit for life? Yes, I did say fit for life.

Some would say to have a goal as to how much you want to lose. This is important to some extent but, don’t overshoot your short term capacity. have a realistic goal. They say that safely 2 lbs per week is realistic however, much of the initial weight loss is water weight and after awhile, you may not lose as fast as you expected. Everyone’s metabolism is different. Don’t give up.

Once you have some numbers in your head, open up your fridge and pantry. Look for everything that is high in fat content, especially saturated fats. Some fats are good for you such as fats derived from fish, olives,nuts, etc. All fried snacks should get tossed or as I used to do, given to coworkers.

Get into a routine of exercising at least 3-4 times per week. It is always recommended that you visit your doctor to get a checkup before starting an exercise routine.

Some people respond well to light cardio where as some need more intense and longer visits to the gym. The American Heart Association is not suggesting 45 minutes of cardio. I know that sounds horrible, and many people don’t have 45 extra minutes to fit in to their schedule.

Make sure that you don’t starve yourself. It is better to eat 3 meals per day with 3 snacks. Cutting back on your portions is essential to losing weight and getting fit. For most people trying to lose weight, this is also one of the hardest things to do.  Americans are so conditioned to eating everything on our plate and eating heapfuls of food at the local buffet.

Fresh fruits and veggies are great for good health and wonderful snacks. Eating fish at least 3 times per week and cutting back on your beef consumption will also help you lose weight and lower cholesterol. I try to eat food from the Mediterranean diet.

One of the things I love most to drink now are my fruit smoothies. You can do this with fresh or frozen fruit. I use both depending on what is in season and also the price. You can take some fresh strawberries, bananas,  plain yogurt, ice, skim milk, honey or agave if you want a little added sweetness and blend it up into a very refreshing and delicious morning drink. I am addicted to my fruit drinks now and miss them if I don’t have time to make one.

Start reading the labels while shopping. So many foods are high in sodium, sugar and fat. Yogurt can have high sugar content so it is important to check the container before buying.

Feeling that you are worthwhile is important for being a complete person and looking confident to a potential partner. Losing weight can be one of the pieces in the puzzle to getting there.

Always remember that to attract someone, you must have more than just the physical. Getting fit should be a life long goal and not just short term. It will not only benefit the way you look, but also  help you live a longer and more quality life.

Resources for eating healthy and getting fit:

http://exercise.lifetips.com

http://www.eatingwell.com

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com

There are various ways to meet single guys other than just through online dating. One of them is in a bar setting. It is not necessarily a  “pick up” place. There are many men that go there because they don’t have another way to meet women or are just there for a drink with the guys.

If you suddenly catch his attention and you find him attractive, don’t stare him down or look the other way. If you stare at him, you take the chance of intimidating him.  Looking the other way and not giving him any signals that you are interested will pretty much diminish any chances of his approaching you even if you are the hottest gal in the bar.

So, what do you do when a guy looks your way in a bar? The best way to get him to approach you would be for you to look at him and smile. Then,  just act naturally and see what transpires. Yes, I know, easier said than done. That is why I am here and you are at the bar biting off your acrylics!

Seriously, guys need a signal to advance ahead unless they are just so bold that they don’t consider your intentions. I am sure that you have experienced that type already.  Fortuantely for us, most guys will not be that forceful and will respect your space.

Bars that are in established restaurants can be a wonderful way to meet a more quality type of guy.  He might just be having a coctail before dinner. Also, a lot of guys that are on business will sit at a bar to have dinner rather than utilizing a table.

Many times, a guy will send over a drink for you as an introduction. Don’t feel offended. If you don’t feel comfortable with this approach, you can either refuse it politely or reciprocate. Some women get mad and defensive when they get a drink from a guy and feel he has bad intentions.

Going to bars as a way to meet guys is simply one way to accomplish this. It is better to mix it up a bit and give yourself a variety of methods that will increase your odds.  Stay with it, you will eventually meet  that special someone!

Toxic relationships can happen to the smartest of us.  We can think we have it all together and be involved in a relationship that is not healthy for us or also known as a toxic relationship.

One of the reasons that it is so hard to determine if the relationship is toxic is because many times it starts out great. Most relationships go through the honeymoon stage, where everything is exciting and satisfying.  Normally, the first few months are the best part of a relationship.

What happens is that we start to settle into our normal routine and no longer worry about impressing our partner. We become “ourselves” again and lose some of the niceties that we display at the beginning.

Toxic relationships never work and can lead to devastating consequences for both parties.  If you discover that you are involved in a toxic relationship, please rethink what you are doing and if you really want to be a part of a situation that can not be anything but emotionally draining and painful.

What is a toxic relationship?

A toxic relationship is one that can wear you down, cause you pain continuously, deflate your self esteem, or become an addiction. Does this sound like a relationship that you are involved in?

Many of us have experienced some level of this in our lives at some point. There are some people, sadly to say many, that repeatedly get involved with someone that leads to similar patterns.

Here is an example of toxic behavior:  Jane has been dating Ed for six months now. She is finding herself more attached the past few months and wants to spend most of her free time with him. Ed is not so inclined to meet her demands for “quality time”.  He is happy with a weekend night with Jane and an occasional weekday sleepover.

The more that Jane pushes for time with Ed, the more he pulls away. She finds herself staying by the phone on her free nights hoping that he will call. She even drives by his house to make sure that he is home alone.

This is the start of the toxic behavior.  Ed starts to tell her that she is pressuring him and pulls back further. Jane then starts texting him telling him how much she cares about him.  She calls him after a few glasses of wine to tell him off.  You know where that relationship is heading???

After Jane and Ed break up, she meets David. She starts the pattern all over again because she hasn’t learned anything from the previous relationship.  David shows a lot of interest in Jane at the onset and likes the fact she is so full of energy and loves her independent nature. David is not so interested in a long term relationship. If it happens, fine, but he is happy with playing the field until he finds Ms. Right.

After a few months, David pulls back on Jane the same way that Ed did and she starts to internalize this behavior and feel all guys are assholes. She may start becoming more sexual to hold onto him. Again, there is no longevity with this relationship either. Jane will continue to do what she does best.. driving guys away that are not right for her instead of investing in someone who appreciates her.

Another example of a toxic relationship: Mark has been the best boyfriend for the past 2 years. Then, he starts to act differently. You notice he seems to be on the internet more than normal. He seems more distant.

You sit down to check your emails one day and notice he has been visiting porn sites. You start checking around and find out that he is also on adult dating sites.

When you question Mark about this, he tell you that ” it is no big deal“. He was bored and was just looking around. That he had to “create a profile” to even look on a site. He tells you that he would never contact anyone on a site and reassures you that he loves you.

You let it go and a few months pass.  You discover that he has not stopped visiting the sites and might have actually been meeting with someone. You let it go because …. You Love Him!!! This is most definitely a toxic behavior. You stay in a relationship that is painful and pulls you down even when you know it is wrong for you.

Toxic relationships are never going to lead to a lasting and loving relationship. There are many people that don’ t want to be in a committed relationship but have no trouble hiding that fact from their partner.  Identifying that at the beginning can save you lots of pain.

For the unfortunate ones who have invested years in a relationship that is leading to nothing but stress and causing you pain, exit the relationship and move on. It may not be easy, but living in a toxic relationship will not allow you to live your life to the fullest. You deserve the best life has to offer. Sadly, many people have lived for so long in that toxic state that they don’t feel they are worthy of a loving relationship.

Many people think that finding someone online is easy and they are right. The real issue boils down to what is it that you are looking for? If you are looking for dating hookups then that is a no brainer. Just about anyone with computer, cell phone and car can meet someone from the internet dating.

Many people are looking for just a casual relationship.  Internet Dating Sites are great for that!  You can sign up for a dating site and in about 3-5 minutes you can be on your happy and horny way to meeting that person of your short-term dreams!

For the seemingly few and far between really serious  seeking long term relationship singles, internet dating can be a life saver. Not everyone has the potential to meet people within their demographics. Some people have no one that is their age and of the preferred gender living or working near them.

So, for the lonely, sometimes desperate, sexually deprived and tired of the bar scene singles out there, dating from the internet may be your only salvation.

The problem boils down to how to proceed for your newbies. Define your goals in dating before making the infamous Dating Profile.  Make the profile specific to what you are looking for in terms of a relationship and the type of person you want to meet.

Talking about your interest are important. If you are a guy that watches sports almost every night, you will not be a good match for a girl who likes to watch a fashion channel during Monday Night Football and does not understand your football chatter.  Now, if she is really hot, then her sports knowledge may not be an issue!

Once you get your profile going and a recent... yes, I did say recent photo going, then you can begin your journey into the sometimes black hole of internet dating. It can be loads of fun if you take it lightly and don’t go over board or psycho with it.

I don’t really think you need this if you stay tuned to Successfuldatingpro’s every day tips, rants and great dating advice blogs, but if you must, check out a new book called Internet Dating is Not Like Ordering a Pizza by Cherie Burbach.