This weekend, Patti Stanger did the unthinkable.  She called off her engagement to her boyfriend of six years because she said, “You have to agree on the non-negotiables.”  In their case, children were the dividing factor- she wanted them, he didn’t.  But at 49, Patti’s move was both ballsy and…well, kinda smart.

Every girl has her own set of non-negotiables.  Maybe you could never date someone who listened to Enya, perhaps you couldn’t commit to a vegan.  Whatever your deal breakers, and whatever your reasoning behind them, it becomes hard to stick to your guns when you get caught up in an otherwise great relationship.

In college, the Land of Random Hook-Ups and Other Unplanned Physical Attractions, it’s completely impossible to predict whom you’ll find yourself dating.  Friends that turn into boyfriends, one night stands that stick around for three semesters, frat bros looking to (gasp!) settle…it’s all very curious terrain.  Where does this leave you?  Frequently, throwing aside your “criteria” in favor that kid from Spanish class who no hablo inglés.

While I encourage you to experiment, explore, and date all the foreign exchange students you could ever want, you also need to take a note from Patti and realize that there is no middle ground on some topics.  Here’s cheat sheet to romantic red flags: Read More »

Dating is confusing. If it weren’t, we’d all be snuggling up on the couch with our very own Channing Tatum right about now instead of Asking a Dude, watching Tough Love, or keeping Cosmo in business.

Don’t you just wish there was someone out there who could give you all the dating answers and help you navigate the confusing world that is college “dating” (without airing your bizness on a VH1 reality show)?

Well, your prayers have been answered, my lady friends. Meet Kira Sabin, the Stacy London of dating. Kira spends her days giving women the dating makeover they need to help them find love and love themselves along the way. From making over your home (so it’s date friendly) to teaching body language, Kira hones in on what every individual needs to be successful in the world of love so they can find their perfect mate. And she knows what she’s doin!

We didn’t have time for a total dating makeover (we imagine it would take years for this hot mess) but, lucky for us, Kira agreed to sit down and give us a little insight into the wacky world of college dating. And what she told us has already made a world of difference. Read More »

I seem to move more frequently than most. Even in high school I packed up and spent my summer months on abroad programs, and in college I somehow managed to live in three different cities while only attending one school. In total, I’ve lived in fourteen different places (houses, apartments, and dorms) and I’ve hunted for an apartment three times. I’ve managed to find nice places to live and I’ve never been robbed, stabbed, or beaten in my sleep by an angry roommate, so I think I’ve done well. I’ve decided to pass my wisdom onto all of you who are new to apartment hunting. Here are the usual things you need to look out for when finding a place, and a few unusual things as well.

Where to look – I’ve always found Craigslist to be the most valuable tool when apartment hunting. It’s important to check the site everyday, sometimes even multiple times a day, when you’re in the market for a place to live because the good ones get snatched up. Fast.

What to look for in a housing ad – First of all, do you want to live alone or with roommates? On Craigslist you can search for both, and there are other sites, like roommates.com, that are good. Also, trusty ol’ Facebook can be your friend (no pun intended). The second most important thing is price. Come up with a range, from the lowest you’re willing to spend (to weed out any sketchy ads for apartments with outdoor toilets, etc) and the maximum you can spend. This will keep you from looking longingly at pictures of apartments way out of your income level. And finally, look out for catch phrases: cozy = small, bachelor = no kitchen, 420 friendly = you’ll walk into a haze of pot smoke every time you come home. Read More »

The more I date, the better I’ve gotten to know myself and what I can and can’t put up with in a relationship.

A Star Wars obsession? Been there, done that, have the t-shirt (no, really, I do.)

Bad speller? Sorry, can’t handle it. (Seriously, I just don’t understand how a grown man can go through high school and college without ever learning and retaining the difference between “there” and “their.”)

But at what point does a list of deal-breakers eliminate 100% of the male population? I have a friend who will only date Jewish doctors or lawyers that speak Russian, though she prefers for them to come from a Russian family. They must be taller than her, not much older, and certainly not younger.

And of course, then there are the things that we all want, like someone interesting, smart, kind, and other generic adjectives. Read More »