Also Known As: age gap relationship, intergenerational relationship, robbing the cradle

Alternate Spellings: May December Relationship, December May Relationship

About.com Dating: What’s Hot Now

Written by Shelby – Rollins College

Photo Credit

The infamous teens known for robbing a string of celebrity homes have been immortalized in director Sofia Coppola’s latest film. The Bling Ring follows the fame-obsessed “Burglar Bunch” as they successfully steal thousands of dollars in jewelry and clothes from pop icons Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Orlando Bloom, among others.

Starring Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, and, of course, Emma Watson (complete with amazing valley girl accent), this film – now in theaters – is among the summer’s most buzzed-about flicks, and a total must-see for pop culture junkies.

While you (hopefully) won’t be going on a crime spree this summer, you can snatch up the luxe looks from the film without breaking the bank. Below, I’ve created two looks inspired by Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring. Scroll down to see them!

Let’s Go Shopping

Top, Jeans, Bag, Shoes, Necklace, Sunglasses

No need to go shopping with an outfit as stylish as this one. Mix low-key and glam for a totally unique look with a diamond graphic tank over acid-wash skinnies. Pair with strappy sandals, a quilted bag, and a statement necklace to dress up the casual aesthetic. Complete the look with a pair of oversized sunglasses to face the paparazzi!

What Did Lindsay Say?

Top, Vest, Shorts, Shoes, Bag, Sunglasses, Earrings, Necklace

Step out in an edgy luxe look in a flowy blouse with a pair of distressed shorts. Wear under a tailored vest for a classic vibe, and slip on a pair of peep-toe ankle booties for a glam twist. Accessorize with CZ stud earrings, a jeweled bib necklace, and a pair of oversized sunglasses.

What do you think?

Are you going to see The Bling Ring in theaters? Would you wear any of the looks above? Which outfit is your favorite? Would you like to see more posts like this one in the future? Let me know in a comment below!

Posted on on June 18, 2013 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: Fashion Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspired by, Movies, Outfits, Sofia Coppola, The Bling Ring

College Fashion

Case in point, Seattle marriage therapist Claire Hatch, LICSW, recently wrote “Marriage Advice You Can Learn from Your Kids.” Her advice struck a chord with me both in how I should interact with my children and with my spouse, particularly when expressing a problem or complaint.

She explains that a child who thinks she is “bad” is not going to be interested in self-improvement. Instead, when she is treated like a “bad girl” or criticized, “she has to raise her defensive walls high to protect her ego from messages that feel critical. Which means she’s not really listening to you.”

That comment was a strong reminder to me that the way in which we complain or criticize may in fact be closing the other person off to us. We may be ensuring that they don’t listen to us, which is of course the opposite of what we want. Bad feelings may turn into hopelessness and a lack of motivation to change.

On the other hand, if the child feels loved and accepted, she can relax that defensive wall and hear you out. Your suggestions just might make it through that wall.

While our spouse is hopefully more emotionally mature than a child, he or she still has the need to feel appreciated, accepted and loved. But when we’re upset, we don’t communicate any of these. (Well, maybe you’re better than I am.) We usually just focus on our criticism or complaint.

What your spouse might conclude when hearing regular criticism is “I can’t make her happy,” or even “I’m a failure as a husband,” says Hatch. While you need to address issues in marriage, you’ll be much more effective in getting your spouse to listen if your loving messages outweigh your critical messages, she adds.

Her ideas for you to try to soften criticism include:

1. Verbalize appreciation regularly so the criticism comes off as less harsh.

2. Be curious and invested in what is on your partner’s to-do list, supporting and helping him or her as a loving spouse.

3. When raising a complaint, verbalize the difficulties you recognize your spouse faces.

What do you think? Are there other parenting tricks that you use in your marriage?

Check out Claire’s web site at http://www.clairehatch.comand read her full article at Marriage Advice You Can Learn from Your Kids.

Lori Lowe is the author of First Kiss to Lasting Bliss: Hope & Inspiration for Your Marriage. It tells the inspiring, true stories of couples who used adversity to improve their marriages–from overcoming drug addiction to cancer, infidelity, religious differences, family interference and infertility, among many others. It’s available at Amazon.com and in various e-book formats here.

Marriage Gems

Try dusting cloth lampshades with a lint roller. It works quickly and effectively without the hassle of a vacuum.

Slip an old unmatched sock on your hand and dust as you go.

Make Dusting Easier

Best Dusting Tools
How Often Should I Dust
Dusting Tips

Windows and Mirrors

Use old newspapers to clean mirrors and windows. You’ll have a great disposable cleaning rag and be recycling at the same time.

Vinegar is an inexpensive easy cleaner that can be used on windows and mirrors.

To prevent streaking and extra rubbing, wait for an overcast day to clean your mirrors and windows.

Make Glass Cleaning Easier

7 Best Glass Cleaners
Make Homemade Glass Cleaner

Cleaning Out the Microwave

Bring a cup of water to boil in the microwave, the steam will help loosen dried on particles making them easily wiped away.

Make Microwave Cleaning Easier

Video: No Fuss Microwave Cleaning
Using Baking Soda in the Microwave

Scrubbing the Toilet

Put toilet cleaner in the toilet to soak while you wipe down the outside. The inside dirt and stains will be loosened and more easily cleaned.

Buy a drop-in toilet cleaner dispenser, to increase the time between needed cleanings.

Make Scrubbing the Toilet Easier

Toilet Cleaning Tools
Video: Clean a Toilet
Video: Clean a Toilet with Coca-Cola

Cleaning Out the Refrigerator.

Briefly clean out trash and bad food each trash day morning. It only takes a few minutes to dump the stuff, and will clear out space to make cleaning easier.

Use baking soda to wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. It scrubs and eliminates odors without damaging surfaces.

Make Cleaning the Refrigerator Easier

5 Ways to Remove Fridge Odors
Baking Soda in the Refrigerator

Cleaning Out the Oven.

On nights when you get take out, take a few moments and spray the inside of the oven with oven cleaner. Then after dinner, or the next morning if your stains are tough, you”ll be able to wipe away the dirt and grime easily, without missing the use of your oven.

Make Oven Cleaning Easier

Video: Clean an Oven
Use Baking Soda in the Microwave

Filing Paperwork

Make filing time coincide with a favorite show that you feel guilty for taking time to watch. Most filing can be done with little thinking, and you’ll get to watch your favorite show in the process. Sort the papers into categories based on your file names. Don’t forget to include trash. You’ll be surprised how much of the pile you won’t need to keep.

Make Filing Easier

10 Tips To Reduce Paper Clutter
Organizing Family Records

Laundry

Make each person responsible for washing, drying, and putting away their own clothing. Write and post some basic instructions in the laundry room. Have a trial period where your trainees assist you with their clothing.

If you get truly overwhelmed by your laundry, check out a local Laundromat that will wash, dry, and fold your loads for you. These services frequently charge by the pound for laundry and aren’t inexpensive, but may save you time and energy when life starts to overwhelm.

10 Stain Removal Tips
Laundry 101

Washing Dishes

Let the person who is in charge of washing the dishes, get to pick out dessert.

When you begin cooking, run a sink of hot soapy water, and wash as you go. Food on dishes won’t have a chance to harden, and you’ll be that much ahead when the meal is done.

Keep a supply of disposable plates, flatware, and cups. On nights when you’re overwhelmed by double-header Little League games on the same night as PTA, you won’t have to worry about dishes.

Washing dishes can be a great time to have a parent interview with a child you need to reconnect with. The job may not go more quickly, but you’ll be accomplishing a lot more than clean dishes.

Make Dishwashing Easier

Make Dishwashing Fun
Tools for Dishwashing

Clearing Clutter

Find a local charity to donate items to prior to a clutter clearing session. Some charities may even be able to pick up your donations at a prearranged time, saving you a trip.

Label various storage containers before you begin to sort your clutter. A label makes placing items in the right category a much easier task.

Go through and grab obvious trash as the first step. Once the trash is gone, it makes it easier to see what you want to keep, and just how much stuff you’ll need to get rid of.

Make Clearing Clutter Easier

Video: Declutter Your Home
Quick Clutter Clearing

About.com Housekeeping: What’s Hot Now

Some people are fond of celebrating every occasion in their lives, whereas others couldn’t be bothered. No matter what kind of person you are currently dating, why not think outside the box and find new, romantic things to celebrate, together?

A full moon is a perfect example of a romantic thing to celebrate. Make a picnic for the two of you and camp out somewhere private to enjoy the moonlit ambiance. For video game lovers, throw a party for two when an anticipated game is released, complete with blankets to snuggle up with and lots of munchies for an all-night affair. Did one of you just finish a huge project at work? Why not get dolled up to the nines and go out for a night on the town?

Birthdays, holidays and your six month anniversary together are also causes for celebration, but make sure to create a unique celebratory experience that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

About.com Dating: What’s Hot Now

Written by Ashley – Assistant Editor

Photo Courtesy of MAC

Earlier this year, MAC Cosmetics announced they would be teaming up with Rihanna to create four limited edition makeup collections. The first one sold out in just three hours(!), and MAC recently released info about the second beauty collection.

The RiRi Hearts MAC Summer Collection will include three matte lipsticks and two bronzing products, priced between $ 15 and $ 26. The collection will be available exclusively online starting tomorrow, June 18th at 12PM EST in North America and internationally on June 20th.

Want to see what the products look like? Scroll down to check ‘em out, courtesy of MAC:

Lipsticks (L to R): RiRi Woo, Heaux, RiRi Boy – $ 15 each

Powder Blush Duo in Hibiscus Kiss ($ 26), Lustre Drops in Barbados Girl ($ 20)

Your thoughts?

What do you think of MAC collaborating with Rihanna? Do you like any of these products? Will you be buying any of this makeup? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below!

Posted on on June 17, 2013 / Filed Under: Fashion News / Tags: Beauty, Celebs, Collaborations, MAC, Makeup, Rihanna

College Fashion

So your husband says something that doesn’t make sense or borders on rude or insensitive.

You may have heard him correctly … or not. He may also just not have communicated well.

Why not take a deep breath, calm yourself and ask a few questions. Listen and ask a few more questions. It’s amazing how many fights spin off a moment of poor communication.

Be proactive and stop these fights before they start.

Communication works for those who work at it. John Powell

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Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Unclutterer: Breaking Projects Down into Simple, Achievable Steps This really works!

This week’s ebook bundle is about time management:

Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews
Honoring the Rhythm of Rest by Daniele Evans
28 Days to Timeliness by Davonne Parks
Creating a Schedule That Works by Marlene Griffith
The Homemaker’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule by Amy Roberts

The Generous Wife

Question: What is Dating Violence?

About.com Dating: What’s Hot Now