Tara Block
Associate Editor, Love & Sex
Tara Block

164 Followers 66 Following
Tara's Stories / All
Dating

Chris Harrison Introduces First-Ever Video Dating App

Will you accept this .

Will you accept this . . . dating app? Well-loved host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette Chris Harrison is introducing a new dating app called At First Sight, a joint venture between him and the franchise's creator, Mike Fleiss. What sets this smartphone app (available on iPhone, Android, and iPad) apart from all the other online dating apps out there is that it uses video profiles. With the popularity of the Vine app, it's no surprise that this is the next evolution of online dating, and I actually think it's a great idea. It's a lot harder to photoshop yourself in a video, plus it's a quick way to see your personality. Watch newly minted bachelor Chris Harrison demo the app now, and tell us: will you try it?

community

"Do Cheaters Deserve Revenge?"

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our Community.

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our Community. Add your advice in the comments!

We all have had bad relationships and wanted to take revenge at some point for being hurt by the one you love. I was eating lunch today and a friend and I were talking about how much we hate cheaters. She told me a story of what she did to her boyfriend when she found out he was cheating. She didn't tell him she knew instead she talked him into getting a tattoo. She chose it so she wrote her name on paper and kissed the paper with heavy lipstick and had that tattooed on him. After it was all finished, which it took a couple visits to finish, she packed her stuff and said look I even kissed your ass good bye. So now he has her name and lips on his butt.

Do y'all have any good stories?

Have a question of your own? Post it anonymously in Group Therapy for advice!

Sex

Name That Sex Position

Many women complain that intercourse alone doesn't help them climax, but maybe they just need to try out some new sex positions!

Many women complain that intercourse alone doesn't help them climax, but maybe they just need to try out some new sex positions! Take this fun quiz and see how much you know about these different positions. (Illustrations slightly NSFW.)

Sex

What Is Love and Sex Rehab?

Thanks to some high-profile scandals and recent films, we've been introduced to the controversial diagnosis of sex addiction.

Thanks to some high-profile scandals and recent films, we've been introduced to the controversial diagnosis of sex addiction. But what about "love and sex addiction"? In the midst of her highly public (and toxic) on-again, off-again relationship with Chris Brown, Rihanna has allegedly checked herself into a women's sex and love program. The gender-specific treatment (similar to AA) includes group meetings, equine therapy, and individual counseling. To better understand what it means to have a love and sex addiction, we looked to the program itself at the Center for Relationship and Sexual Recovery at Recovery Ranch in Tennessee. What we learned is that we probably all struggle with addictive love and sex behavior at one time or another.

Here are the "addictive behavior patterns" to look out for:

  • Endlessly searching for "the one"
  • Attracting troubled, addicted, abusive, or otherwise emotionally unavailable partners
  • Mistaking sex and romance for intimate love
  • Using sex and/or love to mask loneliness or unhappiness
  • Changing one's appearance through excessive dieting/exercise or surgery
  • Using seduction, sex, or other schemes to attract or hold onto a partner
  • Multiple extramarital affairs
  • Compulsive masturbation with or without pornography
  • Making sexual advances toward individuals in subordinate power positions
  • Dressing seductively to attract attention, take risks, or feel empowered
  • Having sex in high-risk locations or situations
  • Inappropriate sexual and relationship boundaries (e.g., engaging in a relationship with a married man or boss)
  • Trading sex for drugs, help, affection, money, status, or power
  • Having anonymous sex or repeatedly "falling in love" with strangers

There are also female archetypes of love and sex addiction, like "Lucy the Love Addict," who's always on the hunt for the perfect guy, and "Dora Danger Girl," who's compared to Samantha on Sex and the City. What do you think about love and sex addiction? Do you know anyone (including yourself) who could use some relationship rehab?

Wedding

Throw a Guest-Friendly Wedding Bash

While we all know the bride and groom are the center of attention at the wedding (and in some cases, just the bride), most couples would agree if it was truly just about them, they would elope.

While we all know the bride and groom are the center of attention at the wedding (and in some cases, just the bride), most couples would agree if it was truly just about them, they would elope. When you throw a big wedding bash, you're essentially throwing your guests a party, so you want it to be fun and memorable. From the entertaining to the interactive, here are some creative ways beyond the dance floor to get your family and friends out of their seats and having a ball.

relationships

"I Have the Perfect Guy, but I'm Not Over My Ex"

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our Community.

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our Community. Add your advice in the comments!

First off, hello all! I'm so glad there is a Group Therapy group on here because I NEED to vent and would love some input.

A little introduction: I'm a 26-year-old young professional who is in grad school and doing very well for myself. I consider myself successful on all accounts, but am having some issues in the relationship department right now. I'm venting emotionally and without much thought to how this might appear online so if I seem crazy that's why. I'm not crazy, just emotionally maniacal right now.

What I'm really concerned about is my inability to get over my ex. We dated for almost a year in 2010. 2010?! Yes, and I am still obsessing over him. This was a special relationship. The kind that everyone looks at and thinks "man I want that." The kind that everyone was rooting for. We complemented each other so well and had so much fun together. We quickly became best friends and lovers. It felt as if I had finally found "The One".

Just as quickly I figured out that he had an extreme emotional wall up and this caused the relationship to be very push-pull. It was hard, but I always felt that it was worth it. We fought a lot and he continuously made me feel as if the fights were my fault and the emotions were blown out of proportion (what I now realize is a defense mechanism of out-of-touch people). Despite all of this HE told me he loved me, and, after getting a job offer to move far, far away, asked me to move with him.

Keep reading for the rest of the dilemma!

Sex

What Do You Think of Sexy Ad Men?

After years and years of scantily clad women selling everything from beer to cigarettes, advertisers have now turned the tables, and it's the boys stripping down to their skivvies in the name of capitalism.

After years and years of scantily clad women selling everything from beer to cigarettes, advertisers have now turned the tables, and it's the boys stripping down to their skivvies in the name of capitalism. A few of these hot ads and their shirtless wonders are attracting attention this Summer, for better or worse. Kraft's latest zesty dressing campaign has One Million Moms up in arms over its skin-showing ads. But I say bring on the abs — it's about time companies recognized that women have libidos too. Thanks, Fifty Shades. Plus most of them are just having a good time with it all, poking fun at the trend they're taking part in. Don't believe me? I dare you to watch some of the most recent eye-candy commercials and not crack a smile (and rewatch). Get your spray bottle ready, because it's about to heat up in here!

Books

June Book Club: New Releases For Sexy Summer Reading

A circus love story, common dating rules debunked, a couple steamy memoirs, and some light romances make up our picks for the June books you've got to check out.

A circus love story, common dating rules debunked, a couple steamy memoirs, and some light romances make up our picks for the June books you've got to check out. Temps are rising, so grab an erotic novel or behind-the-scenes peek at the history of burlesque while you're soaking in the rays at a beach, pool, or park to really heat things up. Click through the Summer reading we can't wait to dive into now!

Sex

Sex in a Wheelchair? Push Girls Get Real About Getting It On

The stars of the Sundance series Push Girls — Tiphany Adams, Auti Angel, Angela Rockwood, Mia Schaikewitz, and Chelsie Hill — are a group of kickass friends who happen to be in wheelchairs.

The stars of the Sundance series Push Girls — Tiphany Adams, Auti Angel, Angela Rockwood, Mia Schaikewitz, and Chelsie Hill — are a group of kickass friends who happen to be in wheelchairs. The award-winning reality TV show (on its second season) follows the paralyzed women as they bravely help others struggling with disabilities and face their own hurdles in life, career, and relationships. And when it comes to sex, the ladies have found people have a lot of questions but are too shy to ask. So they're releasing a "sex guide," written by Paula Froelich, titled The Push Girls' Guide to Getting Your Groove On. We got a sneak peek of the first few chapters and are sharing some of the most intriguing insight into what sex is like on wheels. Here's what we learned:

You Can Still Have an Orgasm
"I think people can figure out that you can have sex, but what I think they're asking is, 'do you enjoy it and can you have an orgasm?'" Mia said. Angela, a quadriplegic and enthusiastic sexer adds: "I can feel all up inside there and left labia and clitoris and yeah, I can feel it."

You Don't Just Date People in Wheelchairs
"Before the first season of the show aired, I think a lot more people were wondering like, 'Hmmm. Can they go on dates? If they go on dates, it's probably with people in wheelchairs?" Tiphany laughed. "Please. I'm like, if you have blue eyes does that mean you only date people with blue eyes?"

Self-Love Can Be Complicated
"I was my best friend," Auti says. "I had shower heads, fingers, tub faucets . . ." But for Angela, masturbation is not so much a solo venture. "Can I masturbate?" Angela asks, "Put it this way: I can do anything that I put my little heart to — but there's gonna be some assistance involved. Maybe prop me up, put some pillows behind me, give me the toy — whatever."

Suitors Have Used Some Horrible Pick-Up Lines
If you'd like to see a Push Girl evaporate before your eyes, just utter one of these awful lines:
"Can I Have a Ride?"
"Flashy chair — you have sex in that thing?"
"You're so pretty, it sucks that you're in a wheelchair."

For even more eye-opening revelations into the lives of these very cool women, be sure to check out the first three chapters of the guide tonight on SundanceChannel.com! Push Girls airs Monday nights at 10pm ET/PT on Sundance Channel.

Father's Day

Daddy's Girl: Sweet Father/Daughter Wedding Moments

There's something about the bond between a dad and his daughter, so it's no surprise that there are a number of special wedding traditions that center on this special relationship.

There's something about the bond between a dad and his daughter, so it's no surprise that there are a number of special wedding traditions that center on this special relationship. Some of the most emotionally charged moments — aside from those between the bride and groom, of course — include the father/daughter dance and the giving away of the bride by her father in the ceremony. The origin of the latter, however, harkens back to the days of arranged marriages, when fathers gave their daughters away as property in exchange for a dowry. Nowadays the meaning is much less offensive to women, as it's considered a symbol of the father's blessing of the union. The father/daughter dance is also a way for the dad to give away his daughter and to say his goodbyes as her husband becomes the new main man in her life. At American weddings, fathers also traditionally say a toast to the bride and groom at the reception.

Depending on your culture or religion, there are a wide variety of traditions involving the bride's dad. At Argentinean weddings, the bride is escorted by her father down the aisle, but instead of bridesmaids and groomsmen, the couples' parents and godparents are the only ones at their side for the ceremony. Jewish weddings have many traditions for the father of the bride to take part in, including the Groom's Tish, in which the men sing and drink and the father of the bride, together with the groom, signs the Ketubah. During Indian wedding ceremonies, the parents of the bride wash the feet of the bride and groom with milk and water to symbolize their purification before marriage. And at Muslim weddings, the tradition of the bride's father giving her away to the groom is called "rukhsat." But perhaps the most unusual tradition occurs at wedding ceremonies in the Maasai nation of Kenya, in which the father of the bride gives his blessing by spitting on the bride's head and breasts.

No matter what your background, you can't help but feel the love this Father's Day with these inspiring father/daughter wedding moments caught on camera. And tell us below if you have a father/daughter wedding tradition we didn't mention!

Father's Day

Slightly Inappropriate Someecards For Dad

Happy Father's Day! There are plenty of ways to celebrate your dad today with sweet and sentimental gifts and cards.

Happy Father's Day! There are plenty of ways to celebrate your dad today with sweet and sentimental gifts and cards. But if you and your pop have a sense of humor, maybe the best gift you can give him this Sunday is a good laugh. We've rounded up some of the funniest, albeit slightly inappropriate, Father's Day Someecards you can email your dad to really show him you care today!

Quotes

President Obama Melts Our Hearts With Quotes on Fatherhood

Today, families around the world will be celebrating their dads for Father's Day, and our first family is one of them.

Today, families around the world will be celebrating their dads for Father's Day, and our first family is one of them. Barack Obama may be the president of the United States, but for Sasha and Malia Obama, he's just Dad. The president has been very open about fatherhood over the years in speeches and interviews, from sharing personal stories about raising his two daughters to urging other dads to be the father he didn't have. So be inspired this Father's Day with some of Obama's funniest and sweetest quotes on being a dad.

Father's Day

35 Reasons Why We Love Dad (in GIFs)

Let's take a moment to appreciate our favorite dad-isms ahead of Father's Day.

Let's take a moment to appreciate our favorite dad-isms ahead of Father's Day. Dad may be embarrassing, less-than tech savvy, and a little clueless about what the kids think is cool these days, but that's kind of what makes him so endearing. Plus, you gotta give him props for trying so hard. And that overprotective nature? It's just because he doesn't want you to get your heart broken. He's always been there for us, so let's return the love with some of our favorite pop attributes illustrated by cute and funny GIFs of dads!

Advice

The Best Advice From Our Dads

Ahead of Father's Day this weekend, we're sharing our dads' words of wisdom.

Ahead of Father's Day this weekend, we're sharing our dads' words of wisdom. After all, father knows best, right? To honor our pops, we're looking at the father-daughter photos and fatherly advice our readers and editors have shared. (If you would like to submit a pic of you and your dad with his best quote, use the hashtag #popadvice on Instagram.) From fiscal responsibility to dating dos and don'ts, dads are always willing to offer their expertise, so we are sharing these helpful tidbits with you along with the sweet reader-submitted pics of pops.

Wedding Decor

40 Ways to Incorporate Flags in Your Wedding

Happy Flag Day! We wanted to take this day dedicated to flags to share ways you can incorporate these whimsical wavers in your big day.

Happy Flag Day! We wanted to take this day dedicated to flags to share ways you can incorporate these whimsical wavers in your big day. Flags are definitely one of the hot wedding trends this season, and they have been spotted in all kinds of unexpected ways, from bunting garlands to ceremony props to cake toppers. And while you can always keep them in your big day's color scheme, you can also get patriotic by using American flags. The sky's the limit! We've gathered together 40 inspiring photos of flags in weddings, so check them out now!

Humor

Tweets Girls Say: Tampon Holidays, Dream Phones, and Lipstick Safety

Texting drama, tampon holidays, the sexual orientation of contestants on The Bachelorette, and Dream Phones are just some of topics covered by our favorite funny women on Twitter.

Texting drama, tampon holidays, the sexual orientation of contestants on The Bachelorette, and Dream Phones are just some of topics covered by our favorite funny women on Twitter. In 140 characters or less, these ladies manage to crack us up with their witty musings on the highs and lows of being a female. From single girl problems to when not to go to bed angry, click through the best tweets of the week now!