A FLOWER CAN MEAN MORE THAN YOU THINK

Flowers can be beautiful to look at, sure, but did you know that they each have their own special meaning? In the Victorian era, people would give each other flowers, depending on their message, as a romantic gesture. The receiver, would rush home to look up its hidden meaning in a flower dictionary and give a flower in response.  

I recently read a novel that was based off of this idea, and thought, how cool would it be if people still actually did this? I would give my best friend who I only see twice a year a freesia meaning "lasting friendship", fill my room with lupines for "imagination" and give my boyfriend a tulip to declare my love for him. 

 Thinking back, I have received a flower or two that meaning ironically makes sense now.

I thought it was kind of strange when my first boyfriend in college gave me a yellow rose, which I now know means "infidelity," and I can't forget the time a bad friend gave me a bouquet of peony's,   meaning "anger."

After what has felt like the longest winter in years, summer is finally here. The new warm weather makes the world seem bright and beautiful (even on this rainy evening). When I open my window in my tiny apartment, I can smell the fresh flowers from the florist around the corner. Its perfume begging me to come in and fill my room with flowers radiating love, creativeness and happiness.  

   

So, this summer, why not keep the tradition going and give someone special a flower with a meaning you want to convey? Here are some of my favorite flowers and their meanings:

Acacia -- Secret Love

Daffodil -- New Beginnings 

Wisteria -- Welcome

Camilla -- My Destiny In Your Hands

Baby’s Breath -- Everlasting Love

White Carnation -- Sweet and Lovely

White Clover -- Think of Me

Daisy -- Innocence

Ivy -- Fidelity

Lily of the Valley -- Return of Happiness

Magnolia -- Dignity

Jonquil -- Desire

Marigold -- Grief

Oleander -- Beware

Petunia -- Your Presence Soothes Me

Poppy -- Fantastic Extravagance

Red Rose -- Love

Pink Rose -- Grace

Yellow Rose -- Infidelity

Sunflower -- False Riches

Tulip -- Declaration of Love

Verbena -- Pray For Me

For more on the Victorian Flower dictionary check out this novel, The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

I LOVE YOU, BUT I LOVE ME MORE

Relationships are tough. You find Mr. Right, but there is that one thing that's off about him or you find the man you think is the love of your life, but can you really see yourself bringing him home to mom and dad?

Thrown with a battlefield of what's right and wrong, yes and no's and is the guy really worth it, you question what next moves you should make in your romantic life. Can't you just be thrown a wild card?
Sitting down with three girlfriends tonight -- each one of us different, each one of us with unique romantic paths -- I found we each had something very similar in our love expectations. No matter how much we may love a past boyfriend, we ultimately love ourselves more, and if our own personal goals, dreams and aspirations were to be effected by a man, that man, would have to go.
It made me wonder -- what makes woman so eager to give up their dreams for love? I have friends who have thrown away job offers, full ride scholarships to universities and their self respect, all for men. And hey, I've done it too. I let my first boyfriend physically abuse me, I missed out on a great career opportunity, and at one point put my relationship with my parents in jeopardy because they didn't get along with one of my ex's.
But at some point, something clicked in my mind saying, "That person is not you. What do YOU want?"
And what I found is that I want a healthy relationship full of laughter, security, trust and understanding. I want that balance of time spent between friends and boyfriends.
I want a career; To follow my dreams and for whomever I'm with to support and encourage me.

I want to do what I want to do.

Selfish, I know, but I only have one life to live. Every decision I make I want to look back with no regrets, knowing I've done what I've done because that's what was best for me at the time.

No matter how much I might love a man, I NEED to love myself more.

In my past relationships I didn't always like the person I had become, now I realize, how did I expect someone to love me, if I didn't love myself?
As I looked around the table last night at my friends, sipping on their cocktails and laughing about the past, I saw a group of woman who not only had learned to love themselves, but were open to love, as well.
And we, couldn't be happier.
Cheers to that! 

LOVE WILL MAKE YOU DO CRAZY THINGS

I see mothers hustling and bustling around New York City. They carry heavy strollers down subway steps, run after an energetic two year old on a crowded street, and play in concrete playgrounds with barbed wire fencing around them.

 

And after all this I have to wonder...will I ever be able to raise a family here?
Other then the fact it seems like a total nightmare, it can't be cheap raising a little one in the big apple. 

Thousands of young girls right out of college move to New York to follow their dreams, have the time of their lives and to hopefully fall in love. But how dangerous can falling in love be for a girl new to a big ol city, with the potential of finding "the one" and ultimately raising a family? I see it constantly -- young mothers schlepping their kids around, the chaotic stress they exuberate and the look in their eyes, pleading to anyone they lock gazes with, screaming "help me", is like seeing into a looking glass of the future.

I fell in love with a born and raised manhattan boy. Whose parents were both born and raised, and both sets of their parents were born and raised. So, guess where my man wants to have his kids ? That's right, in Manhattan so they can be born and raised.

Although marriage and a family might be a few years away for me, after over two years in a happy relationship, a girl can't help but have thoughts. And as a girl who grew up living ten minutes from the beach, with a jungle in her backyard, I can't help but hope for something similar for my kids one day or at least a backyard and a white picket fence!

Alas, as I fall more in love with Mr. Manhattan, I can't help but bring up sweetly "You know, there are lovely places outside the city with only a 20 minute commute!"

But today, when I witnessed a man hurry past a woman with her two little kids, pushing all three of them into the street where a speeding taxi nearly just missed them, I thought, can I really do this? 

As a frantically pulled out my cell phone and started typing to my boyfriend "I'll take Brooklyn, Queens, hell even the Bronx!" I hit the backspace button, took a deep breath and kept walking.
They always say love will make you do crazy things you never deemed possible -- whoever "they" are.

WARNING! YOU MIGHT GET SICK...

We've all had those nights when we got too drunk and threw up in the bars bathroom
... it happens! But, what should we do when adding a sexy guy to the equation? Do we go through with hooking up with him or does are conscience stop us?

A girl in my office told me she had this dilemma a few nights ago. Her in the guy went back to his place and she wasn't sure if she should go through with staying over knowing she had gotten sick.
After a few laughs and shared stories about how many times a similar thing had happened to me or someone I had known, I got to thinking -- how many other girls have struggled with a similar scenario?  

And here's what I decided is the safe answer. It all depends on the location that the dirty deed is done.  

@ the bar : Go for it!

@ home : No way. 

My reasoning? Bars are loud, crazy and filled with commotion. If you puke in a bar its easier to hide the evidence. Chances are if you are able to order another drink, socialize, dance and pretend like nothing happened ... you'll probably be fine for the time being. Pop a mint and don't let your little uh oh ruin your fun night. Hey -- you didn't wear those cute CFM pumps for nothing!

But, if you spill the beans once back at you apartment (or worse his) its better to call it quits for the night. With the dark lights, loud music and people gone, the mood at home is totally awkward if you get sick. And in the case that your in a white bathroom with bright lights, feeling the pressure to get back to the bedroom where a guy awaits you (who probably just heard you yak your brains out), the situation becomes all too real and even more nauseating.
Plus, your bad breath is definitely not sexy. 

Verdict says: call a cab!

CELEBRITY BREAK-UPS WE AREN'T QUITE OVER YET

Spring time -- when the trees bloom with fresh colorful buds, the air smells of flowery cleanliness, and you can see brightly colored tops strolling down the streets with ease, emerging from blackness. Life is reborn from the cold dead of winter and all is content and happy, as friends sip Rose outside in cafes and enjoy picnics in Central Park... or so we'd like to think.

But spring lacks one thing in it's tender breeze, and that is love. That's right ladies and gents: it's break-up season. 

So, for all those broken heated friends who are anxious to feel the heat of summer lovin', let's remember some of our favorite celebrity couples whose relationships ended way too soon. 

I mean, shouldn't we look back on our past experiences with fondness? Right... RIGHT? 

Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake 

Once the prince and princess of pop, this couple melted our hearts when they ended. Don't worry JT -- if Britney didn't cry you a river your fans sure did!

Nick Lachey & Jessica Simpson

Nick and Jessica's relationship was a little too perfect and adorable. Their reality TV show, "Newlyweds", stole the hearts of audiences everywhere. Chicken of the Sea, anyone?!

Johnny Depp & Winona Ryder

Depp tattooed Ryder's name on his arm -- now if that's not commitment I don't know what is?

Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston

As one of the biggest celebrity break-ups ever -- who isn't over this relationship? 

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck

Although this couple dated very briefly, they made their relationship so public it was hard not to notice their love. They starred in the failed movie "Gigli" together and Affleck even made a cameo in Lopez's music video "Jenny from the Block." There is no question they had intense chemistry… they couldn't keep their hands off each other ! 

Mila Kunis & Macauley Culkin 

Many people never realized the two dated, but the
"That 70s Show" and "Home Alone" star had a steady relationship for 8 years. So sweet !

Seal & Heidi Klum

This beautiful couple seemed so happy and in love -- we never thought it would end.

Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore

These two were proof that age ain't nothing but a number! Even though their relationship took a lot of hits from the media, I was cheering them on!

Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber

Young love is always intense. Watching Selena and Justin made us remember our first loves. They were bound to end, but a part of me wished they could have lasted a little longer -- they were so cute!

Taylor Swift & Joe Jonas 

Taylor Swift & Taylor Lautner 

Taylor Swift & John Mayer 

Taylor Swift & Harry Styles 

Taylor Swift & Jake Gyllenhaal 

Taylor Swift & Connor Kennedy 

....just kidding!
How many relationships can this girl have until we take one of heart breaks seriously?