Author: Missy Amato

It doesn’t matter if you hail from Long Island or Orange County, you were destined to be the greatest of all real housewives. You might not be one of these glamorous ladies just yet, but wait for it. Your time of being the ultimate partner will come. In the meantime, trust us with these signs that you’re the greatest future housewife that every will be.

1. You drink wine.

This one is the ultimate given, but it’s not that you just drink wine. Oh, no. You know the difference between your Pinot Grigio and Merlot, and you never drink anything from before 2000. Peasants bow in your wine knowledge and you simply love it. Let them drink Franzia!

2. You drink Starbs.

You’re basically on a cleanse by only drinking Starbs and wine. You have your very own, specific drink order that your local barista already knows because you go to Starbs everyday. You also would never say Starbucks, that’s for basic people. Starbs.

3. You love the gym.

We’re talking about you using the elliptical or the treadmill at least six times a week. You find enjoyment in having a great body to show off not for others, but just for yourself. Except you’re not really into weights above 5 lbs. That’s just excessive.

4. You freakin’ love velour.

You love that soft jumpsuit more than you can handle it and you proudly own Juicy Couture. Don’t lie, we know you do. You also have some serious deep emotions with PINK yoga pants still. Comfort is comfort, and you won’t sacrifice it.

5. You’ve thought on multiple occasions, “I’m totally gonna be the cool mom.”

You’ve had daydreams of picking up your son and his friends in your minivan and bringing them back to the house, where you’ve already made pizza rolls. You’ve also thought about your daughter telling you about her latest crush and her friends going to you for your advice.

6. You’ve seen every episode of “Chopp’d”.

You are a Food Network junkie, watching every show from “Chopp’d” to Giada. You love the idea of making a big meal for you and your partner, or maybe the fam. You simply enjoy researching new recipes and new, creative ways to make delicious dishes.

7. You f*****g love Target.

This store is your literal heaven. Every time you grace this red ball oasis, you walk in with anticipation and exit with the feeling of pure happiness and household items. You can spend hours in the decorating section, but also wine is 6 for $20. So you might make a pit stop there. 

8. You just like shopping in general.

It doesn’t need to be shopping sprees, or shopping for just designer brands. You simply love the feeling that you get when swiping your debit card and hearing that it was accepted. Even buying a new toothbrush is a little bit of a rush.

9. You have Pinterest’d your life.

You have pin boards for outfits, your wedding, you kid’s outfits, your job, and your future home. You’ve planned out most of your life on this website, and all you need to do is put it into action. You totally know that there is no shame in having a plan.

Halloween is a time of haunted houses and scary adventures. So, why not share this time of the year with your bae? Cuddle up with some of these adrenaline pumping and thrilling date ideas. The spookier the better!

1. Adult Trick or Treating.

Take you and your bae on a sweet crawl for local dessert places. Check out the new cheescake shop or even better, a place that combines sweet treats and wine. Sharing a dessert with bae will be way cuter than just gobbling down oreos at home.

2. Actual Trick or Treating.

If you’re a serious couple, stay at home and hand out candy to trick or treaters. Not only will it be cute to see how excited the little kids get when you give them candy, but also it will show the compassionate sides of you and your partner. Also, steal some candy for yourselves.

3. Role play.

Now this doesn’t need to be an only Halloween inspired event, but adding a little kink to the sex life can amp up any relationship. Dress as your favorite two movie characters and reenact the steamy scene. Leo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie anyone?

4. Go Halloween costume shopping together.

If you actually have to leave your house in costume, take your S.O. costume shopping with you. Ask for their opinion on what looks best and you just might end up with a couple costume. Nothing’s sexier than a ride or die costume, like Antony and Cleopatra.

5. Take the movie outside.

Bring your laptop or portable dvd player, (old school man) and watch a horror movie in a park or anywhere outside. Watching, “The Blair Witch Project” outside will definitely make you want to hold your lover close that night.

6. Go on a pumpkin frenzy.

Take your love for a night out on the town and only order things with pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced latte, pumpkin burger, really anything with this orange veggie in it. Embrace this basic flavor and seek it out with your babe.

7. Take a Ghost Tour.

If you live near a city, take the drive to go to a lantern lit ghost tour. These tours are inexpensive and will definitely creep you out because of the interesting stories the guides will tell you. Hold hands with your significant other as you walk the streets among ghosts. Boo!

8. See a midnight showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

You dress up as Janet and let your love dress up as Brad, or vice versa. Maybe even be Dr. Frankenfurter. Enjoy seeing people sing along and throw water during this cult classic movie. You better perfect your time warp though.

9. Have a murder mystery party.

For the more theatrical couples, host a murder mystery party together with friends. Plan the scene, the dinner, and the murder. This is a new and creative date idea that allows you to celebrate Halloween with friends and a little mystery.

10. Make some Halloween treats together.

Baking is an afrodisiac, so literally spice things up in the kitchen together. Make cinnamon cookies or pumpkin pie, whatever it is, it will bring you closer as a couple because you are creating something together. Then relax and enjoy eating your finished product.

We live in a society where we have timelines for relationships. We meet, we date, we move in together, we have a baby, and we live happily ever after. However, when you add distance into the mix, it’s not such smooth sailing.

When we think of LDR’s or long distance relationships, people immediately think of the longing and the pain of loving someone who isn’t easily in reach. But here’s the thing. Jumping into a LDR is completely worth it.

I started dating my boyfriend after a weekend of being with him, even with the ten hour distance between us. But thinking with just my heart, I knew that even though we lived in two different countries, we could still make this relationship work.

Now, I’m not going to lie either. It’s sucks. I wait for phone calls like they’re real dates and I still put on make up for our Monday night skype wine seshes. I go out at night with friends and there’s always a feeling that something is missing. That something being my love.

Even the weekends that my boyfriend visits are filled with so much love, however saying goodbye at the airport to him is by far the worst pain that I have ever felt. The taxi ride home is always a complete bawl session.

However, long distance relationships are also filled with love and appreciation that same city relationships don’t have. The longing and love that exists between people who don’t get to see each other every day is something of fairy tales and old love stories.

The few moments that I see my boyfriend are beyond wonderful and the love that we share when we’re together makes me happier than anything in the world. We know the joy of being together more, because of the long periods of time that we spend apart.

So, here’s my humble advice. Take the plunge. No matter how long you’ve been together.

Love that’s meant to last can withstand obstacles, including being hours apart from each other. It might sound cliché, but it’s true. Taking the plunge into a relationship like this might sound intimidating, but if you felt comfortable enough to be with the person in the same city, adding distance will not change those feelings.

The main thing we all need to realize is that every relationship is completely different. Whether we want to start a long distance relationship with someone who we’ve know for a week or for five years, it has to feel right for us. We have to be willing to make sacrifices, but only in a relationship that makes all participants happy.

The plunge is scary. It’s an extreme move that will leave a person vulnerable, especially if the relationship is mainly over Skype and Facebook Chat. However, if someone feels that they can’t live without another person, no matter what their location, then being together any way you can is the only way to go.

Don’t worry about pleasing the idea of the dating “timeline.” Two people may not date, live together, and have a baby all in the same city, but their love might be just as strong, if not stronger than two people actually living together. The only way to know if the plunge is right is to follow the heart.

Four months later, I can easily say that taking this same plunge with my boyfriend was completely worth it. I took the plunge for love and never looked back. 

It’s hard for me to explain what “muchness” exactly means, but baby you got it. You spunky and feisty personality make up your “muchness” and it’s something that every girl or women living today needs.

In today’s world, muchness is sometimes the last thing that people want from a woman, but when I say you should never lose it, I mean it. 

Feminism and confidence in a woman are seen as a threat.

You prove that confidence is radiant and that it shines. Your confidence and upfront nature add to your personality, without diminishing it. 

The girl with too much muchness is never afraid and I envy it. You never get nervous, you have the confidence to walk right up to someone and ask them out, no sweat.

You are always feeling “yoself,” and any bro that you decide to grace with your presence should be proud. Believe me, ladies, he totally should be. If a guy says no or doesn’t seem interested, you know that it is completely his loss. You and your muchness will be on the search for a new bae in no time. 

Your muchness isn’t just how you deal with flirting or relationships; it’s so much more than that. It’s your way of life. 

You may know the meaning of the phrase “grabbing life by the balls” just a little too well. 

You’re not afraid to take risks in life, and this is the foundation for your muchness. Women these days are afraid. We’re afraid to look to needy, too clingy, too grabby, and really just too much. We’re afraid that we will make the wrong impression by going after what we want, which is the complete opposite way that we should all be living our life.

Your muchness allows you to be uninhibited and unplagued by fear. If you want to go cliff diving, you’re gonna do it. If you want to eat an entire Papa John’s pizza, someone better hand you some extra napkins because you’re going for it baby. Your muchness allows you to really experience life; it allows you to live. 

The girl with too much "muchness" is someone that shows us that you have to live life for yourself. Women who want things are not greedy, they are ambitious. 

Women who want someone to talk to are not needy, they simply just demand respect.

Your muchness allows you to never settle on something. You would never dream of settling for just plain fries when you wanted flipping cheese fries. 

You would also never settle for a career that you hated either; you’ve realized that life is way, way too short for that. 

So here’s to you, ladies with your muchness and your gung-ho way of looking at life. 

Keep taking what you want and strive for better. All of us ladies look up to you.

Opposites attract is the motto that you live by. You’re obsessed with contrasts and having the best of both worlds. Your relationship’s just another indicator of that.

1. You and your SO’s taste in music could not be any more different.

Seeing as your partner has the complete opposite taste in music, you’ve heard samplings of music from around the globe. You may like Miley, but you can still bachata to Aventura or sing along to Bollywood.

2. You adapt to new styles incredibly easily.

Since you like differences in your relationship, you also prefer it when it comes to fashion. You can go from Preppy Pop Princess to Trap Queen Goddess in the same week.

You might just even pierce your nose or wear a Flamenco dress. You’re basically a style chameleon.

3. Your bae’s turned you into a total foodie.

Your partner introduced you to buss up shot and you introduced him to a local deli. You two are constantly sharing your favorite foods. Even though they’re complete opposites, they’re still delighting your taste buds.

4. You’ve become the ultimate wine and liquor expert.

You have a fav drink. So does your partner. Now switch and sip. The best way to experiment with food or drinks is having someone that’s constantly tempting you with something new.

5. You’re the yes woman when your partner suggests something new. 

Your balls – excuse the metaphor – are big enough to go out and date someone who is exactly unlike you. So you’re probably also saying yes to every great experience your partner throws at you. You’ve been known to reinvent yourself with makeovers, trying new hobbies, or traveling on a whim.

6. You’ve had your own world tour, but also travel with your honey. 

You love the fact that you and your significant other have very, VERY different backgrounds and cultures. This means that you also enjoy spending time learning about cultures and different ways that people live, whether or not it’s the culture of your relationship. 

You most definitely have the travel bug and you feel that the experience of traveling is way worth the expense.

7. You’re low-key all day with your baby. 

When you’re not traveling between continents or doing something cray, you can be found relaxing, “cooking pies with your baby.” 

You’ve learned to be low key because you’ve had to roll with the punches and surprises of being with someone that most of the time has different opinions than you. You’ve gotten used to just taking things easy and playing it by ear.

8. You and you lover are into some pretty freaky sh*t.

You are definitely one to try out some kinky stuff with your partner because you are a fan of the unconventional and spontaneous. Just don’t hurt yourself.

9. Your career is not the root of you and your partner’s happiness. 

You’re not one to follow a set path like the office 9-to-5 or make risk-free career moves. You take career chances, which may or may not always work out in the long run for the financial aspect of your relationship. Hey, at least you took the chance!

10. You have an extreme list of random hobbies with your S.O.  

Maybe you’re into running, and he’s just not.  The fact that you both have different interests allows you both to try different things, like your partner’s art class or your half marathon. This makes your relationship far from boring.

Twentysomethings have some pretty low points that may or may not resemble your favorite horror movies. In this month of October, we are surrounded by some spooky and terrifying visions. However, some of these visions may just be our own everyday experiences. We might just find some of these scenes looking a little too familiar to how your living.

1. You getting out of bed on a Monday = The scene in The Ring where the girl climbs out of the TV.

The girl in the ring is one hot mess, with her stringy hair and immense bags under her eyes. Well, that’s basically us and all twenty-somethings every Monday morning. We crawl out of bed, hair messy, and tired – just as creepy as the “seven days” girl.

2.  Your time of the month = The opening scene in Carrie.

We all know that when that time of the month comes around, we are basically a nightmare. We also all know the feeling of randomly getting mother nature’s gift at night or sneezing and getting that awful surprise. Like our girl Carrie, we also freak the f*ck out every damn time.

3. You trying to decorate = The scene in The Shining where Jack Nicholson axes down the door.

Every single time we try to put together an Ikea bed or redecorate at all, it is such an annoyance to the point that we just want to break everything. I have personally thrown Ikea wood pieces because, no matter the level of education I have, those directions do not make sense.

4. You encountering your crazy ex = The scene in Fatal Attraction where she pops out the tub.

We all the know feeling of the ex that will just not go away. They text us consistently trying to remain on our mind or they never stop favoriting tweets or statuses. The cray cray ex needs to go away and stay away. And stay out of our bathtub.

5. You doing anything outside = Every damn scene in The Birds.

They poop on us, our cars, and every belonging we have. Birds are by far the worst animal in the animal kingdom. Not only do they pop out of nowhere, but even when we shoo them, they will never fly away. Pigeons can also remember your face. THEY CAN REMEMBER YOUR FACE!

6. You trying to pet a nice dog = The car scene in Cujo.

Speaking of animals, we have all had that one bad dog experience. Yeah, dogs are beautiful, warm, and loving… until you take their food away. Then they’ll basically try to eat you. Good doggy, good doggy.

7. You trying to drink away being awkward = The vom scene in The Exorcist.

Never do tequila shots again. Just don’t do it. We definitely think that mixing all the liquor at the club will make us the greatest dancers ever and we’ll have so much confidence. This is just up until you lay down and the room starts making a giant spin. Then it’s all over.

8. You trying to cover up a zit = The first scene with the clown in IT.

Every old time carnival or circus we ever go to, there they are. The clowns. Nothing and I repeat nothing is more terrifying that a clown. But we all remember the middle school days of wearing so much foundation that we looked like those horrifying clowns. We know it was just a phase, but sometimes we get the urge to pile it all on. NO.

You might think it’s strange and you might not understand it, but the first time I met my boyfriend, I knew something was completely different. I was in love. 

There was a comfort to him that I had never felt before with anyone else. It was a feeling of complete vulnerability that was amazing, but also terrifying. I was able to simply be myself. 

Now, we’ve all seen the romantic movies where the couple’s first meeting makes them feel that time has stopped – and for me, it did. It felt as if nothing else in the world mattered, that I was lost in time, just happy and content to be with this other person. 

I didn't feel the world moving around me, and it only took about an hour for me to realize just how much I cared about him. 

We constantly reinforce the idea that we have to grow to love someone through dates, years, and conversations. We have to create a relationship by getting to know that person’s complete personality. 

Sometimes that’s not the case. Sometimes it might just even be the complete opposite. 

I fell in love with my boyfriend before I got to know him. Yes, I do know how crazy that sounds. We fell in love with each other by staring into each other’s eyes. 

I knew this was love at first sight, however, not everyone else realized it. How did I know in such a short span of time? The answer was simple. 

I wasn’t just falling in love with him, I had also fallen in love with who I was with him. 

Last night I had never felt more ancient in my entire life. My old, frail twenty one year old body sat on a torn up couch surrounded in a cloud of smoke in the basement of a friend’s house. This was the first time I had really gone out my senior year of college, since coming back from a few months studying in Europe. Watching the toddlers, aka the college sophomores and juniors run around the room, I couldn’t help but feel out of place, in a setting I once felt most at home.

Now I was no stranger to the party scene in my early years of university, even abroad, I held up my “trap queen” persona. However, sitting in the presence of drunk friends, I could only think continuously over and over again, “I am way too old for this.”

We all meet this transitional time, even if we put it off for an uber long time.

We get to this place where we’re no longer young, but we’re not quite becoming a real person yet. I was in a life place where I no longer wanted to be drinking one dollar beers with seventy five people I sort of knew, but I wasn’t ready for cocktails at the art gallery like a forty five year old housewife.

This time in our life that some people refer to as the “quarter life” crisis is both terrifying, but should also be exhilarating. Yes, we have absolutely no idea what to do with our lives, but instead of looking at that as a dead end, we have to welcome the idea that our life is constantly changing. Life careers are not set in stone at this time, meaning we as adults who are entering whatever the “real” world is, have all of the options open to us.

However, with this change from student to working adult, it’s not the career change that is ultimately the problem; it’s the personal changes that hit us really hard.

Friends that we once could meet after class or go out to the bars with on a Tuesday because the “club was going up” and we didn’t have class that Wednesday, doesn’t fit into our business schedule anymore. We find ourselves working nine to five, going to the gym, and going straight to sleep without seeing the people that we would spend twenty four seven with before we plunged into adulthood. The bars we used to go to every weekend now are filled with people three or four years younger, and the feeling of being irelavent starts to kick in.

The secret that all Millennials stuck in this change need to know is that everyone our age feels this way.

We all feel scared that we’re losing the ties and bonds with people that we grew up with, whether it be high school or college friends. However, this change is not unlike the other changes that we already went through in your life. We didn’t keep up with all of your high school friends, why would we have to now? The only reason that it seems so prevalent is because the amount of changes in our life is starting to slow down. So, the key to being happy is to simply accept the change.

We need to realize that certain friends will come and go, however growing up means realizing which people to keep with us along the way.

We all have a core group of ladies or dudes that are “ride or die.” Even Carrie Bradshaw only had a crew of three other women; we don’t need to have a clique of a thousand groupies. Growing up and moving on is coming to terms with the fact that only our true friends will stick with us through all the changes of our life.

So as I sat on the couch watching the infants drink Tecate beer and pass around other recreational smokes, my best friend and I made the “let’s bounce” eye contact. We both got up and were actually excited to be going home early, even though it was bittersweet that I was leaving the people I once used to party with.  I grew to welcome the pleasant change from sitting in a dingy basement, to drinking wine with my best friend talking about our lives.