college life
About that spark…
I’ve been on OK Cupid for almost a year. It’s not my favorite way to meet a potential boyfriend, but I just look at it as having another stick in the fire. A few weeks ago, I met up with guy no. four from Ok Cupid. We messaged for a few weeks before meeting face-to-face, […]
MorePic of the Week.
I spent a decent amount of my weekend driving to and from Indiana. I got up Friday morning around 3am and drove the 12 hours to Bloomington, spent Saturday attending baby showers, treated myself to a day of Sunday drinking, and hit the road Monday morning at 4:30 to make it back to Baton Rouge. […]
MoreBecoming Strangers.
I’ve had a crush on this guy, Brian, for more than10 years. He went to my high school, and last year we reconnected. He lives in Indiana, and we had a date night when I was in town last summer. It was fantastic. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wonder about the potential […]
MoreExes: Married With Children.
Sometime last week, I wandered over to my ex-boyfriend’s Facebook page. It’s something I do when I’m feeling rather low about myself, even though looking at his page usually makes me feel worse. Call me a masochist. Right away, I saw what I figured would be there: his profile picture was a tiny baby. His […]
More7/50 Shades: Girl Next Door.
Although shade no. 7 is a gloss — I just cannot pull myself away. I blame this completely on Bonne Bell, for getting me addicted to shiny, glitter glosses delivered to my lips via sponge applicator. Girl Next Door by Hard Candy is sheer, with a touch of silvery shimmer. It doesn’t have a scent […]
MoreDating on Instagram.
I recently got an iPhone, after being a Blackberry user for years (it’s about time, right?). Since making the switch, I’m really trying to embrace the world of apps, especially dating apps. I’ve already tried Tinder, and within three minutes I managed to play with fire and get burned. I saw my crush’s picture, and […]
MoreThe truth on birth control.
I know birth control can be a little bit of a touchy subject for some, but as a relationship blogger & columnist, I feel it’s almost irresponsible if I don’t at least mention it. Let’s just get this out of the way: yes, I’m on birth control. I have been for about 8 years. I […]
MoreFaith in the face mask(s).
Right after college, I had TERRIBLE acne. I’m not talking a few zits here or there, I’m talking — it was really bad, like the “before” pictures on a Proactive commercial. Not only was it embarrassing and painful, but I worked in the service industry, and I needed to look presentable, so I often wore […]
MoreLuv vs. Love.
The day after Valentine’s, I got a text at 4:30 am. “Love you.” It was from a guy I went to high school with; we’ve kept in touch over the years, and have hooked up a few times. Given the timing of the text, I figured it was a drunk thing and I just didn’t […]
MoreBaring it all, in business?
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a guy I went to high school with — you may remember him as the guy who wrote this email about me. To make a long story short, it’s a guy I had a massive crush on for years, but for some reason he was terrible […]
MoreThings I’ve learned from watching: ‘Boy Meets World’
I’m not afraid to admit that I watch a lot of stupid shit on TV. I work hard, every single day, I do “serious” things all the time, so when it comes to TV, I don’t mind a little brainless action. “Boy Meets World” is one of the less-stupid things I watch. I’m the lucky […]
MoreFresh Friday: 8.
It’s Friday, and I don’t know about you, but I could use a little dose of HOT GUY. Thank you, Abercrombie old school ads. Actually, the other day, I spritzed on a little 8 by Abercrombie and Fitch just for old time’s sake, and I was surprised at how wonderful it was. As described by […]
MoreWomen You Should Know: Donna Tartt.
I’m halfway through The Goldfinch, and as I read it, I cannot help but wonder who the hell is this Donna Tartt chick? So I did some digging. As you may have guessed, she’s the author of The Goldfinch, which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2014. She is also the author of The […]
MoreCelebrating John Hughes.
Today, I wanted to celebrate my favorite screenwriter, John Hughes, as today would’ve been his 65th birthday! Hughes wrote two of my favorite movies — Home Alone and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — among many others, including The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Uncle Buck, and National Lampoon’s Vacation. He went to high school in Illinois […]
MoreSingle Girl Recipe: Snack edition!
For the last month, I’ve been trying to get back into a somewhat healthy routine. When I worked Monday-Friday, 9-5, it was pretty easy for me to meal plan, pack my lunch, and hit the gym every day at 5:15. But my schedule is so different everyday now, and slowly, I’m finding ways to make […]
MorePopping the question.
Every year around the holidays, it seems like everyone I know — who’s not already married — is getting engaged. Of course, if it wasn’t for social media, I probably wouldn’t know about 85% of these said proposals, but it’s 2015 and I guess I’ve got reality to deal with. The thing is, I’m not […]
MoreThe heart at home.
One of the best parts about my job as a journalist is being able to meet all kinds of different people; hear their stories; their struggles and triumphs. In the mix, I often end up in spots I wouldn’t normally be. A few weeks ago, I was in a flower shop, talking to a man […]
MoreThe dating age.
I work part-time at a shoe store in the mall. It’s not my dream job, but it provides cash, plus I get to meet all kinds of different people. About ¼ of the customers I meet are hot guys. When a hottie comes into the store, I think, “Yes! A hot guy!” And then I […]
MoreCeleb Crush: Justin Bieber.
I know, I know, everyone hates The Biebs. But I just can’t! Truthfully, when Bieber came on the scene, I wasn’t falling for it — even though he did have a cute face. But then, I went to see “Never Say Never,” the Bieber tour documentary (I love a doc), and it was then that […]
MoreThe Column: Sweaty is the New Sexy.
The shiny sweat, a shortness of breath, muscles tightening… it’s your workout routine, and it’s (apparently) sexy as hell. Pickup any magazine, ask any fitness professional, and they’re going to tell you that couples who sweat together, stay together. A lot of things that happen to the body — the aforementioned sweat, short breaths, muscle […]
More5/50 Shades: Tulip.
I’m still on the hunt for a great (or a few great) shades of pink to add to my makeup collection — and I recently tried CoverGirl’s Natureluxe Gloss Balm #205 in Tulip. I feel like a majority of the “shades” I’ve tried have been glosses/balms, and I think that’s just proof of my fear […]
MoreA Review: ‘The Uncoupling’.
When I got my library card last year, I pretty much threw myself a party (a quiet one inside the stacks), and I made a giant list of books and authors I wanted to read — The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, was one of them. Well, one of the adventures that comes with a library […]
More90’s beauty trends I totally tried.
Every decade has its own style — granted bits of it always come back around — but 90’s style holds a special place in my heart, as I was just coming into my own, getting a grasp on who I was, and I was obsessive over pop culture. While I’d never consider myself daring in […]
MoreThe Column: Love & Unemployment.
A few weeks after I’d met a guy named Justin, we’d already been on several dates, and I was really starting to like him. But one day at work, I was called into a meeting and told that my services were “no longer needed.” It was the job I’d had for almost seven years; the […]
MoreThings I’ve learned from watching ‘Laguna Beach’
Oh, Laguna, how I love (yes, still do) thee. In late 2004, MTV capitalized on the popularity of The OC, making a reality show based at Laguna Beach High School — claiming it was the story of the REAL OC. And hell, I don’t know how much of it was real, fake, scripted, or whatever, […]
MoreCocktail King.
Baton Rouge bartender and chef George Krause was waiting for the book to drop. At eight years old, a cocktail book fell from the “booze side” of the cabinet to the “game side.” “It was now fair game to grab it and read it, and I did,” Krause said. “I enjoyed it.” His parents found […]
MorePic of the Week.
Okay, so one thing I’m working on is maintaining SOME sort of schedule. My hours at my retail jobs are sometimes as early as 7am, or sometimes as late as 6pm (working until 10pm). I have other things going on — like freelance work, blogging, being social — so I’m trying really hard to still […]
MoreFresh Friday: Body.
Known for its signature plaid, Burberry also has a collection of fragrances. I got Burberry Body for Christmas, and I fell in love with it at first whiff. As described by Sephora, “Wrapped around a woman, the iconic Burberry trench coat evokes sensuality, femininity, and luxury. In this fragrance, an eclectic composition of fruity-chypre notes […]
MoreThe Column: Sleeping W/Someone New.
A few days after a great first date, I joined a guy named Justin for a second date. We met through mutual friends, and bonded over weird relationship stories. For our second date, he invited me to his house for a casual night in. While I’m a fan of a relaxing night at home, I […]
MorePic of the Week.
I really thought I was going to have something cool for my first Pic of the Week for 2015, but truthfully, this is as exciting as it gets right now. This is the first week that I actually have time to tend to other things aside from work — I’ve been averaging 50 hours a […]
MoreFresh Friday: Nirvana (white).
Eeek — it’s the first Fresh Friday of 2015! I promise I’ll stop getting over the fact that it’s a new year; I think part of my shock and awe is from the fact that I’ve been working every single day, so I have no idea what day it is most of the time. But! […]
MorePic of the Week
Wow, it’s the LAST pic of the week for 2014! It’s hard to believe I actually have 52 pictures that represent my year — one full of nothing and something all at once. I really thought I was going to have something representative for this last one, but when this magazine came to my mailbox, […]
MorePic of the Week.
In the first volume of The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring), J.R.R. Tolkein wrote a poem: All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light […]
MorePic of the Week.
I mentioned last week that I’m having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year, and I think it’s because I didn’t travel home for Thanksgiving. Usually when I do, my friends and I open gifts and watch the tree lighting in Downtown Indianapolis. I put my Christmas tree up, in hopes that would help, […]
MoreWas Harry right about the friends thing?
“You realize of course that we could never be friends… What I’m saying is — and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form — is that men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.” —Harry, When Harry Met Sally Harry might have been the first […]
MoreA gift guide for December lovers.
The holidays are here, and no matter how much we try to agree with the whole, “It’s not about the gifts,” mantra, there’s a lot of pressure to get the perfect present. When it comes to that special someone, the pressure can be overbearing. But leave it to DIG – we’ve got you covered with […]
MoreThe Column: Going the (Long) Distance.
There we were: kissing on a bench outside The Dungeon in the French Quarter. It’s the start of any classic love story, right? I met my friend Brooks in high school, though we weren’t friends until I was nearly out of college. Like most people our age, we reconnected through Facebook, and over the years […]
MoreBoyfriend Recipe: White Choc Cookies.
I know everyone is probably still full of turkey and pie, but I couldn’t help but post one of my favorite recipes just in time for the Christmas holiday season — White Chocolate and Pecan Cookies. I made them many years ago, the ONLY time I’ve spent Christmas with a boyfriend (read about the details […]
More3/50 Shades: Sheer Peach.
I’ve never really understood why women go to such lengths to change up their beauty routines when winter rolls around — until now. And yes, I know winter proper isn’t here yet, but it’s getting colder out and in turn, my lips are chapped. Earlier this summer, I never left the house without my cute […]
MoreCeleb Crush: Bradley Cooper.
I recently did one of those quizzes, “Who is your celeb boyfriend?” And although I didn’t get my ultimate crush, John Mayer, I did get a fine-looking fellow: Mr. Bradley Cooper. Uh, YUM! Bradley Cooper is most recognized for his work in films such as Silver Linings Playbook, Limitless, The Hangover (parts 1, 2, & […]
MoreGuest Blog: In response to Susie Patton…
Susie Meredith is an HR professional for one of the world’s leading online retailers. She currently resides in Nashville, TN with her Golden Retriever, Sadie and her two cats, Vinny and Joey. Susie saved Vinny and Joey from a hard life in the cat-mob on the streets of Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s in HR […]
MoreIs THIS why I can’t get a husband?
A reader in San Francisco brought to my attention an article in the New York Post, “8 Reasons Why New York Women Can’t Get a Husband.” Obviously, I don’t live in New York, but I’m always willing to consider ANY reason as to why I don’t have a boyfriend/fiance/husband, etc. The article is based around […]
MorePic of the Week.
‘Tis here. Every. Single. Year. Without fail, every single time fall rolls around, I get sick. It has been this way since I was a child — only then, at least I could blame it on being stuck in a classroom with a bunch of dirty kids. Now? I suppose I’m stuck in an office […]
MoreHey, Halloween: Drop dead!
After much thought, I decided to forgo a Fresh Friday post, since it’s Halloween — even though I pretty much despise this day… or do I? If you know me personally, you know I’m a scaredy-cat all year ’round. I’m terrified of someone breaking into my apartment, scared of being attacked in a parking garage […]
MoreSingle Girl Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Maintaining a healthy diet is always a struggle, but I find it to be an ENORMOUS challenge when the cooler months roll around — the swimsuits are gone, sweets are everywhere, and there’s a constant crave for comforting foods. It’s tough! But no matter how difficult it is, I know I feel better when I’m […]
MoreOwn your bed head!
Recently, Casper, a mattress company that specializes in making outrageously comfortable latex memory foam mattresses, brought forth a good point to me — a good night’s sleep often results in a mess of hair come morning. But so what? Why are we constantly running from the bed head, instead of embracing it? So, Casper, challenge […]
MorePic of the Week.
Every year, my friend Marcy has a Pumpkin Carving Party (BYOP), and this year was pretty special because it was the 5th Anniversary of the party! So, Sunday night, we all gathered at Marcy’s, equipped with pumpkins and carving ideas. As a kid, Halloween was a big deal. My parents really got into decorating the […]
MorePic of the Week.
Sorry that it’s blurry… I even tried to retake it a few times, but could never get a decent one, which makes me wonder if I have a serious health issue that is in-turn ruining my selfies. Anyway, yesh, I got new glasses! Okay, so I also got new contacts… and sure, I realize this […]
MoreFresh Friday: Girlfriend.
There’s no way I can complete a perfume series without addressing Justin Bieber — and this won’t be the last time, given he’s got four different ones. I’ve got three of the four, and I love them all for different reasons. I picked Girlfriend, because I have a running joke with my friends that if […]
MorePic of the Week.
A few weeks ago, I noticed a new morning radio show had taken over one of the stations I listened to (104.1 New Orleans). The show was a syndicate, Johnjay and Rich. It’s two guys and a girl, and the show revolves around calling people, although each day, it’s a different bit. Monday: Machaca — […]
MoreFresh Friday: Abercrombie Classic.
I know, I know, Abercrombie & Fitch fragrance is nothing new (although from the looks of their website, they’ve got some new scents), but I just couldn’t resist featuring the fragrance from the Home of the Hunks on my blog! I swear, I’ve got good reasons for it, so let’s get this started. The Hotties. […]
MorePic of the Week.
Well, it’s the second day of fall, and call me basic, but yes, ’tis the season to embrace every single little thing about the outdoors — even when there’s not really fall-like weather. In honor of my favorite holiday, I started my stockpile of fall-scented candles weeks ago, and even made a chili (recipe coming […]
MoreHere Comes the (Amazon.com) Bride.
I buy just about everything on Amazon.com. Cat food, clothes, books, gifts, protein powder, makeup — I don’t know about you, but with the bargains, plus free shipping over $35, shopping in the store just isn’t worth it to me…especially with Baton Rouge traffic. So, I thought, wow I love Amazon… but do I love […]
MorePic of the Week.
Saturday, the mailman dropped a delivery that made my WEEK — a box of my books arrived! I work really hard on all of my books, but I still get really nervous and excited all at once when the box arrives. For Lemon Drops, I really hoped the cover looked as great in-person as it […]
MoreGuest Blog: Wishing for Better.
Susie Meredith is an HR professional for one of the world’s leading online retailers. She currently resides in Nashville, TN with her Golden Retriever, Sadie and her two cats, Vinny and Joey. Susie saved Vinny and Joey from a hard life in the cat-mob on the streets of Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s in HR Development from […]
MoreSurvival Guide: Traveling Alone.
I’ve traveled a lot my myself — in fact, I’ve traveled more on my own than I have with other people (same goes for seeing movies). Sometimes, I’m traveling alone to meet others at my final destination, and there are times I’ve taken an entire trip by myself. Either way, traveling solo (I just finished […]
MorePros & Cons: Making the First Move.
Ah, making the first move. This is something I think about often. Should I, or women in general, make the first move? I know, the men out there are shouting from the rooftops, “YES! Make the first move, already!” But, I’ve had some failures in the past with doing just that — so, what gives? […]
MorePic of the Week.
Saturday night, my friend Liz was celebrating 10 years living in Louisiana! She invited me to join in her celebration — and it felt special, because not only have I been in Louisiana for ten years, too, but I’ve known Liz for most of those years! I asked my friend and gym-influencer, Derek, to join […]
MoreA Review: ‘The Longest Ride’.
The second book I finished this summer, “The Longest Ride” by Nicholas Sparks, sure was a goodie! Unlike most Sparks books however, I didn’t immediately fall in love with this one — it took some time. “The Longest Ride” brings two love stories together in a unique way. One story is that of Ira and […]
MoreOnce a Cheater, Always a Cheater?
The first guy I fell in love with cheated on me. We were best friends before we started dating, but our relationship was long distance, and there were 15 hours between us. We had a rocky breakup, and he coincidentally had a new girlfriend right afterward. They are married now, so good for them. A […]
MoreThe Column: Searching for Summer Love.
We met on a porch swing after a baseball game. He was tall and tan, and his name was Zach. When I got up from the swing, and walked out of earshot, he told my friends he liked what he saw in my white jeans. He looked pretty good in his baseball pants, too. We […]
MorePic of the Week.
This week’s picture is a little different — it’s a throwback… to probably 2001-ish? The photo is of me and one of my best friends, Angela, on the roof of One Lytle Place (or as Angela calls it, One Little Palace) in Cincinnati, Ohio. I picked this for this week’s photo, because today is Angela’s […]
MoreBoyfriend Recipe: Mocha Chip Cookies.
Many years ago, when I was a different person, I was seriously in love with a man I loved to cook and bake for. I felt like if I did things that a perfect girlfriend would do, then he’d see that I could be a perfect wife, too. But my plan failed miserably. However, I’m […]
MoreBeing the ‘Friend’ in Girlfriend for 30 Years: A Guest Blog.
Susie Meredith is an HR professional for one of the world’s leading online retailers. She currently resides in Nashville, TN with her Golden Retriever, Sadie and her two cats, Vinny and Joey. Susie saved Vinny and Joey from a hard life in the cat-mob on the streets of Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s in HR Development from […]
MoreSummer Lovin’.
Tomorrow marks the official start of summer, even though Baton Rouge has already been sitting in the 90-degree heat for awhile. When I lived in Indiana, I loved summer. Of course, I was in school, so that meant summers off from class, working shifts at the custard shop, cool night drives on winding country roads, […]
MoreA Review: ‘Girls in White Dresses’.
The winner from Tuesday’s giveaway is posted below, if you’re interested… Last weekend, I finished reading, “Girls in White Dresses” by Jennifer Close, a book that’s been on my reading list for awhile (I think it’s been years). Here is what Amazon says about the book: Isabella, Mary, and Lauren feel like everyone […]
MoreCeleb Crush: Ryan Reynolds.
Last weekend, I was flipping channels, searching for something I could get lost in for awhile (one of my favorite hobbies), when I came across the movie, “Definitely, Maybe,” starring the one and only Hottie With A Body, Ryan Reynolds. Good Lord, that man is fwwiiiinnne. Aside from boy band crushes, Mr. Reynolds might just […]
MoreThe Art of Manipulation (in dating).
Manipulate (verb) — to manage or utilize skillfully; to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one’s own advantage; to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose. I was manipulated in relationships before I even knew what it was; that it was even something that […]
MoreChatting With ‘The Bachelorette’
My job as a journalist, an editor provides all sorts of opportunities to meet, or talk to people I would have never expected. Last week, I got to listen in on a conference call with The Bachelorette, Andi Dorfman. While I’ve always gotten suckered in to watching The Bachelor — every season I swear I’m […]
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The Bitter Lemon 
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