Guy on the rebound (n.)

1. A recently dumped male who jumps into another “exclusive relationship” only to use the poor girl for sex and drop her like a hot tamale after a few weeks. 2. Someone all females should steer clear of.

Rebound Girl (n.)

1. A sometimes unsuspecting but usually na&#8217ve female who falls victim to guy-on-rebound’s seemingly sincere interest and intentions. 2. The girl you don’t want to be.

Here are some tips on figuring out if you are his potential girlfriend or just a fling to help him temporarily forget his baggage.

Lay down your intentions and find out his as soon as possible. Try to figure out what he wants now before you set any expectations. If you just want a fling, that’s fine. But if you’re in search of something more, don’t put yourself through the emotional drama.

Look for signals. Sometimes guys won’t be clear about what they want. If he conveniently turned off his cell on Saturday night or has been visiting his ill grandmother a little too frequently, then you may want to question how serious he is about you. Guys fall just as hard as girls – some say harder. If he’s really into you, he won’t be distant.

In this situation, it’s hard not to get caught up in “what could be.” Don’t sell yourself short; always be conscious of what you want and deserve, and you’ll get it – just not with some guy who wants some sexual healing.

Remember the days when you drooled over designer duds, knowing full well that they would never be yours? And then, suddenly, all that changed.

Target, our veritable fairy godmother of fashionable finds, has come through again with yet another guest designer to join their GO International movement and to quell our collective style palette.

This month, Behnaz Sarafpour is the latest to join the ranks of designers to create pieces exclusively for Target that are fashion-forward and affordable to boot – all in true Target form. A Parsons School of Design grad, Sarafpour worked under reputable designers that include Isaac Mizrahi (another Target darling) and Narciso Rodriguez before launching her namesake collection to great applause in 2002.

The exclusive Target line will feature the elegant heirloom separates for which Sarafpour is known, from preppy cardigans to posh belted party dresses all in blacks, whites, browns and plums that feature splashes of bright yellow and green and even animal prints. The line is chock full of separates for a girl on-the-go because many of the pieces can be worn in the office or out and about.

Imagine you have just gone in for your annual gyno exam. You breathe a sigh of relief when you leave. Thank God that’s over.

Two weeks pass; you receive the phone call. You have herpes. Is my life over?

Absolutely not. One in five people in the US is infected with herpes, yet there are infected people who live normal, healthy lives, meaning they date, have sex and bear children. How do they get there?

Take responsibility. Since contact with an infected person is the only way to catch herpes, sex should be avoided during an outbreak.

Asymptomatic outbreaks. Always wear condoms in case you are unaware of an outbreak.

Preventing outbreaks. Outbreaks can be prevented if you take the proper medications and if you take care of your general health. Remember: Stress does cause outbreaks!

Reproductive health. Herpes cannot make you sterile. Talk to your doctor about medications when you are planning a family.

Honesty. You need to be honest with your partners. You do not have to blurt it out on a first date; just remember how hurt you were when you found out someone violated your trust and vow to protect yourself and others in the future.

Acceptance and getting over the shame. You are not alone, so don’t fight alone: join a support group.