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To burn or not to burn:  What to do with pictures of your ex

Posted by Vicky Lane Categories: Advice, Humor, Marriage, Relationships,

What to do?

This is a tough one for me because I never, EVER throw away pictures. I am a big believer in holding on to memories, even if they aren’t always pleasant. A lot of people disagree with me and believe that once the relationship is over, any and all photos, concert tickets, t-shirts, and whatever else was saved goes into the trash and set aflame never to be seen again. Well, I can agree with the ridiculous things that we girls keep… I actually had a “love box” for one boyfriend with match boxes from restaurants we went to, dried petals from the flowers he gave me, and a few cheesy greeting cards he sent me (pathetic). Ladies, these things must go!!! But photos, to me that’s a whole different story.

I spent a significant amount of time with some of these old flames and, of course, had some good times. Photos are an image diary, and just like reading through those journal pages (yes, I’ve kept a journal since the 80’s), it reminds me of those good times, who I used to be, and wow look how far I’ve come.

Click to continue reading To burn or not to burn:  What to do with pictures of your ex


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Why Women Confuse Sex for Love

Posted by Vicky Lane Categories: Advice, Editorials, Relationships, Sex,

Love and Sex

It took me a long time to figure this out, but when I did it was quite liberating.  During my dating years I became obsessed with a jerk.  He had none of the qualities I wanted in a man, but I think that’s what attracted me to him.  He was the quintessential “bad boy” and I was intrigued. We dated officially for only about four months, but he stayed in my life for over three years.  Sure I had boyfriends here and there during that time, but it was always him I went back to.  I hate to say it, but he was my “booty call” and I was his.  But, for most women, the booty call can be so misinterpreted.  Sex, in general, can be so misinterpreted.  I thought for sure that when he text messaged me at 3am it was because he still cared about me and maybe even missed me!  Oh how foolish I was back then.  I think the part of my brain that determined reality from fantasy hadn’t quite developed yet.  Or maybe deep down I really knew that he only wanted to have some fun, but I allowed it anyway because I felt that any time with him was worth it.

Click to continue reading Why Women Confuse Sex for Love


Gear Live Magic Giveaway: HP Mini 1000, Office 2007, Kung Fu Panda, VideoStudio X

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Features, Hot Deals, Microsoft, Movies, PC / Laptop,

HP Mini 1000

So, our HP Magic Giveaway winner was awesome enough to give back to the community, thus invoking a second giveaway. We’ve got an HP Mini 1000 here, along with a bunch of software as well. Specifically, here’s the prize package:

We’re going to use the same entrance criteria that we used last time, since that seemed to work so well. Here’s how to enter to win:

  1. If you don’t have one already, sign up for a Gear Live account
  2. If you don’t have one already, sign up for a Twitter account
  3. Add the Gear Live Twitter account to your follow list
  4. On Twitter, post a tweet about our contest and link to this page. In the tweet, include the phrase “#gearlive”.
  5. Once that is done, leave a comment here in this post with a direct link back to your Tweet. Be sure you are signed in to your Gear Live account before you leave the comment.

Here’s an example of an appropriate Twitter entry:
“Entering to win an HP Mini! http://059.qlnk.net/ #gearlive”

BONUS ENTRIES: Want more chances to win? Share the link to our contests on the following sites, and leave us a comment linking to those as well:

  • Facebook: Shared Link
  • Del.icio.us bookmark
  • FriendFeed: Use Post a Link
  • Your blog: Have a site? Link to our contest on it!

Remember: The bonus entries are just that - bonus. In order to be eligible to win, you must complete the core Twitter requirements.

Now, as to the actual contest dates. The contest starts today, December 5th. You have until 11:59 PM PST on December 11th to enter your comments here on this post. We will then announce our winner, chosen randomly out of all valid entrants and bonus points, on December 12th.

Aaaaaand - we’ve got our winner!


HP Magic Giveaway: We have a winner - and a second contest!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment, PC / Laptop,

HP Magic

Our HP Magic Giveaway came to a conclusion last night, and, wow, we are calling this one a success, as we just got inundated with entries. We first need to thank everyone involved for entering and spreading the word on Twitter, Facebook, and the like. Of course, there can only be one - but if you feel a swerve coming, read on!

First, the winner was chosen randomly out of all valid entries. The person who came out on top of Ashe, with this comment. I’ve contacted him, he replied, and things are good.

Now, about that swerve. In the original contest, we mentioned that it would be awesome if the winner were to give some of those winnings away. After all, it’s the holiday season, and who really needs 3 notebooks, a desktop, and all that stuff? So, the cool thing here is that Ashe has decided to throw some items back into the pot, and he wants us to do a second giveaway! We will get it set up today, and will run it for another week. The winner will get the following:

That is not too shabby of a prize package right there. Wanna win it? Just head on over to our Gear Live Magic Giveaway page to enter.

Again, thanks to all entrants, and a big thank you to Ashe for giving back.

Read More | Gear Live Magic Giveaway

Giving the gift that she really wants

Posted by Colleen McKie Categories: Advice, How To, Relationships,

Gift box

When my husband and I started dating, Christmas was just around the corner. We decided to exchange gifts and I happily started poking around to get to know him better so I could get him something awesome. When he told me all about this great computer game that he wanted, I went out and picked it up for him. He had also been complaining that he didn’t have a laundry hamper, so I went to the dollar store, picked one up and filled it with a bunch of household items I knew he didn’t have, but needed. Perfect gifts to suit his hobby and his needs. And what did I get in return? Stuffed Star Wars characters. Which might not have been all that bad if I hadn’t told him on several occasions that I hated the Star Wars movies.

Click to continue reading Giving the gift that she really wants


HP Magic Giveaway: Enter our contest to win over $6,000 in electronics!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Announcements, Features, Home Entertainment, Hot Deals, PC / Laptop,

HP Magic Giveaway

So, a few days ago we told you about our HP Magic Giveaway, and how we’d be giving away an absolutely ridiculous amount of prizes to the winner. Now, we are announcing the the contest has officially started, and we’ve got the details on how you can enter to win. First, though, a refresher on what we are giving away:

Yes, you do see four computers listed, as well as a Media Center Extender. No, you aren’t dreaming. Yes, we (and ) are awesome. You want the goods? Here’s how to enter to win - we are making this super-simple:

  1. If you don’t have one already, sign up for a Gear Live account
  2. If you don’t have one already, sign up for a Twitter account
  3. Add the Gear Live Twitter account to your follow list
  4. On Twitter, post a tweet about our contest and link to this page. In the tweet, include the phrase “#glmagic”.
  5. Once that is done, leave a comment here in this post with a direct link back to your Tweet. Be sure you are signed in to your Gear Live account before you leave the comment.

Here’s an example of an appropriate Twitter entry:
“Entering to win a ton of HP gear! http://jk9.qlnk.net/ #glmagic”

BONUS ENTRIES: Want more chances to win? Share the link to our contests on the following sites, and leave us a comment linking to those as well:

  • Facebook: Shared Link
  • Del.icio.us bookmark
  • FriendFeed: Use Post a Link
  • Your blog: Have a site? Link to our contest on it!

Remember: The bonus entries are just that - bonus. In order to be eligible to win, you must complete the core Twitter requirements.

Now, as to the actual contest dates. The contest starts today, November 28th. You have until 11:59 PM PST on December 4 to enter your comments here on this post. We will then announce our winner, chosen randomly out of all valid entrants and bonus points, on December 5th. We are also going to encourage (but not require) you to think about donating a portion of the prize package to someone else. It can be a charity, a relative, friend, a fellow contest entrant - anyone. We can even handle the shipping to that third party for you. It’s all in the spirit of giving, and we will let you play Secret Santa, if you so choose.

The contest is open to anyone in the world, which is a rarity. If you are in the US, you’ll even have your tax burden taken care of. What more could you ask for? Now, good luck to all - comments are open!

Update: We’ve announced a winner - and a new contest!


Holiday recipes for the baking challenged

Posted by Colleen McKie Categories: Advice, Cuisine, Editorials, How To,

Almond Bark

Now, first things first: I can bake. I’m a wonderful baker. I just get no enjoyment from it at all. Zip. So I rarely ever bake anything, depending on my local grocery store instead. But every year around this time, I get a hankering to bake. I don’t know if it has to do with all the chocolate treats being sold, or the candy cane scent in the air, but I feel the need to bake.

Now, I should clarify, that when I use the term “bake” I mean anything I prepare in the kitchen that can be used as a snack or dessert. See, there isn’t actually any baking involved. Yes, it’s kind of like cheating, but who cares? The results are delicious and really, that’s all that matters in the end.

Over the years I’ve fine tuned a few simple recipes that help with my desire to bake and my need to do it quickly. So, if you think you want to try your hand at baking, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, try out these great recipes that are easy to make and pretty much fool-proof.

Click to continue reading Holiday recipes for the baking challenged


The HP Magic Giveaway: We’re giving away a bunch of stuff

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Home Entertainment, Hot Deals, PC / Laptop, Peripherals,

HP Magic GiveawayUPDATE: ENTER OUR HP MAGIC GIVEAWAY CONTEST!

Listen, it’s the holiday season, the economy is going to hell, prices are going up on everything but gas, and you know that no one is going to get you any super-fancy consumer electronics this year. Or, so you thought. You see, once again we are partnering with (along with 49 other sites) to bring you a mind-blowing prize package. That means that you get 50 chances to win the following:

  • HP TouchSmart IQ816
  • HP HDX18 Premium Notebook PC
  • HP Pavilion dv4 Entertainment Notebook PC
  • HP Mini 1000 (Windows XP)
  • HP MediaSmart Connect

Oh, what was that? That isn’t enough? Well, our bad, we though that five computers being given away would be enough. But hey, you pulled our arm, so I guess we’ll also throw in the following:

  • HP Photosmart C6380 Wireless All-in-One printer
  • HP 564 Photo Value Pack
  • Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 with 3 licenses
  • Microsoft WIndows Live
  • Corel VideoStudio X
  • Kung-Fu Panda on Blu-ray disc, and two DVDs

There, now are you happy? We figured as much. Go back and look over that list again - that’s a lot of stuff. In fact, the value of all that is over $6,000 USD. There’s enough there that you could win it all, and give away some of it as gifts to your family or friends - that what the holidays are all about, right? That whole better to give than to receive thing?

We’ll be announcing the contest rules soon, but in the meantime, check out the HP Magic Giveaway page for more information on the prizes, and other participating sites.

Oh, and let us know what you think of this contest in the comments!

Read More | HP Magic Giveaway

Beauty tips from a cheapskate

Posted by Colleen McKie Categories: Advice, How To,

Tangled Hair

You might not know it to look at me, but I’m somewhat of a girly girl.  I like make-up, scented lotions, and pretty things.  What I don’t like is spending a lot of money on them.  In my search for the perfect shampoo, lipstick, body scrub, et cetera, I have come across some great, and surprising, finds that won’t break the bank but will make you feel like a million bucks.

It’s All About the Hair
For years I had short hair that was easy to manage.  Wash and slap some gel into it and I was ready to go.  Two years ago I decided to grow my hair out and right now it’s the longest I have had it since I’ve been seven years old - a few inches past my shoulder.  And I now realize why I usually keep my hair short:  tangles.

And I’m not just talking a few here and there.  I’m talking “not able to get a comb through it” tangles.  “An hour to work through after washing” tangles.  And even if I detangled it wet, it would dry and then revert back to a bird’s nest.

In my bid to not bald myself combing my hair, I tried everything I could think of:  deep conditioners, leave in conditioners, expensive detanglers. Nothing worked until I hit the kids section of Walmart.  L’Oreal Kids Tangle Tamer is by far my most cherished hair care product.  Sprayed through towel dried hair it takes care of all of my tangles.  For about 3 bucks it’s a steal and I can’t live without it.

Click to continue reading Beauty tips from a cheapskate


A fat girl’s shopping Hell

Posted by Colleen McKie Categories: Advice, Editorials, Fashion, Humor,

Clothing rack

Okay, I am what you might call pleasantly plump.  By no means a size two, or even a size six, I have some extra meat on my bones.  But that doesn’t mean that I don’t like looking good.  But what it does mean is that I have grown to hate shopping.

Remember the days when a size 14 was a size 14, not a size 12?  Or a large was actually large,  not walking doll size?  I remember those days and I long for them again.  It’s hard enough being overweight without walking into a shop to get a new outfit and leaving the store an hour later, crying.  Really.  A word to the wise all you designers out there: wanna make women buy more clothes?  Then make a size 16, not a size 12.  I try on pants and they are a size 12 and fit?  I’m taking them home!  I have to squeeze my butt into a size 16 and can’t get them zippered up?  You can be sure that I’m not going to want to go up to a size 18.  And I leave feeling bad about myself and wanting chocolate.

And don’t even get me going on bras.  I don’t understand how I can fit into a 38DD, 36DD and 40D depending on the bra style. Now, I’m no math wiz, but isn’t 38 inches always 38 inches?  If so, then why are all the sexy 38 inch bras way too small?  I honestly don’t get it.  And I’m getting sick of my granny braziers.

When my husband goes shopping this is how it goes: he walks into the store, sees something he likes, finds his size and walks out of the store.  No trying on, no comparing sizes, nothin’.  In and out.  I’d love to shop like that.  But since I currently have jeans ranging from size 11 to 16 in my closet, I have to try everything on.  He couldn’t understand why I would go out shopping, be gone for hours, and come home empty-handed and miserable.  Then I took him with me one day.  After four hours of me trying clothes on and showing him each piece, we left and he bought me some jewelery.  Now he understands.


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