Profile for Chelsea Kaplan

avatar

Money 101: What You Need To Do Before Buying Your First Home

Chelsea KaplanApril 5, 2010 //

Whether it’s because you can’t stand another day with a sloppy roommate, one more night of smelling the Indian food your neighbors are making for dinner or living in 300 square feet of space (honestly, don’t animals at the zoo have grander quarters?), there comes a time in every girl’s — or couple’s — life when she begins seriously considering purchasing a home of her own. Before taking the steps to make your fantasy a reality, however, it’s important to make like a Girl Scout and be prepared. After the jump, Manisha Thakor, personal finance expert for women, weighs in on all of the things you should “be” before you buy your first home. Keep reading »

Handle It: How To Tell Your Partner You Have An STD

Chelsea KaplanApril 3, 2009 //

Passing along the info to your new honey that you’ve got an STD is something you’re probably looking forward to about as much as attending your nephew’s 5th birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Need hints on how to deliver the dirty truth? We asked Jill Grimes, M.D., author of Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs for some tips, after the jump… Keep reading »

Real Chick Lit: “What Was I Thinking? 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories”

Chelsea KaplanJanuary 29, 2009 //

In my opinion, if you’re over 25 and don’t have at least one “bad boyfriend” story, something’s wrong with you. Mine, who I dated right around 23, was a totally self-absorbed, not particularly cute, questionably gay co-worker who was occasionally kind to me, yet more often a serious ass, bringing that annoying Katy Perry “Hot ‘N Cold” song to life. Seriously, I could spend weeks posting insane accounts of his jerk-tastic behavior or the emails my friends sent me pleading that I please, for the love of God, cut him loose. Because I probably spent more money on Kleenex than rent during the tenure of our relationship, looking back, I want to smack young, immature me for putting up with his nonsense for so long. What kind of self-assured woman lets a dude treat her like dirt? I did, but, believe it or not, I’m glad he’s included in my relationship Rolodex. Had I not dated Mr. Not-So-Incredible, I never would have been able to fully appreciate the warmth, kindness, generosity and – gasp! – maturity of Mr. Truly Incredible, who I later married. Keep reading »

Handle This: Makeover Your Man

Chelsea KaplanDecember 8, 2008 //

Do you want to rip the clothes off your partner’s body not because you’re insanely attracted to him, but because you hate his style so much? While it may seem like an impossible task, switching up your guy’s style is actually quite simple — as long as you carefully plot the steps you need to take to correct his numerous wardrobe malfunctions. Need tips on where to begin? We’ve got some fail-safe man-makeover suggestions from Laurie Graham, a celebrity fashion stylist in Los Angeles. Keep reading »

The Frisky Gift Guide: Don’t Forget Your Manners

Chelsea KaplanDecember 6, 2008 //

‘Tis the season to shower the people you love – and, of course, get a little soaked yourself — with pretty wrapped packages. While giving and receiving can be oh so joyful, it can also create a serious amount of stress and anxiety. Puzzled about who on your list actually deserves a present – and who’s better left off? Concerned about whether you should be honest with your Mom about the horrendous handbag she gave you? Unsure as to what kind of gift is appropriate to give your brand-new girlfriend of six weeks? As you prepare to play Santa or Hanukkah Harry this holiday season, consider the advice of Dallas Teague Snider, founder of Make Your Best Impression, a business protocol and etiquette consulting firm, and Diane Gottsman, Director of The Protocol School of Texas. After the jump, find their guidelines for grateful holiday gift-giving – and receiving…

Keep reading »

Handle It: When Financial Troubles Cause Friction In Your Relationship

Chelsea KaplanDecember 4, 2008 //

Miracle of miracles, the current economic crisis doesn’t look like it’s going to saddle you with major financial setbacks. Your significant other, however, hasn’t been so lucky. Whether your partner’s been laid off, forced to take a pay cut, or seen a formerly robust stock portfolio become awfully puny, it’s become quite clear that his or her financial future is looking grim. Though it makes you feel a little guilty, you’re beginning to re-evaluate whether, going forward, his or her financial situation will be able to provide or assist you with living the kind of lifestyle you’d like – or at least to which you’ve become accustomed. Are you being cold and superficial or wise and practical? We consulted Debra Mandel, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of Dump that Chump! for advice on how you should best approach the situation.
Keep reading »

Handle This: Bring A Shy Guy Out Of His Shell

Chelsea KaplanSeptember 20, 2008 //

Whether it’s sitting in silence during dinner or enduring the long, uncomfortable pauses when he’s out with you and your friends, dating a shy guy can create some incredibly frustrating situations. What you might not realize, however, is that inspiring an introverted date to open up is surprisingly simple. “With a shy guy, you have to take the lead more often,” says Diana Kirschner, Ph.D., a recurring guest psychologist on “The Today Show” and author of “Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love”. “It may seem like a challenge, but once you give him a few little pushes in the right direction, he’ll open up to you with ease.” Find Dr. Kirschner’s hints on how to encourage your guy to take a walk on the wildly talkative side, after the jump… Keep reading »

Handle This: Nine Ways To Ditch A Bad Date

Chelsea KaplanSeptember 5, 2008 //

When “It’s just one drink” turns into “I would rather have a root canal than another martini with you”, it’s time to devise a plan to ditch your dead-end date — fast. While making a swift departure without coming off as a total jerk is tough, it is possible as long as you’ve got a well-formulated plan, says Yvonne Rice, former dating agency owner and author of Finding “The One”: A Powerful Step-by-Step Guide to Making Online Dating Work for You. “Because most people don’t take rejection well,” she explains, “not putting careful thought into how you’ll exit your bad date runs you the risk of sparking the ‘nasty’ in the date you’re ditching.” For Rice’s suggestions on how to escape a bad date with your reputation – and your date’s dignity – intact, read on… Keep reading »

Beauty How To: Vampy Red Lips & Nails

Chelsea KaplanAugust 29, 2008 //

I remember watching “Dynasty” in the ’80s and thinking that Krystle and Alexis Carrington were so fantastically glam. Their glitzy, sequined dresses, shellacked hair, long, red talons and crimson lips were just IT, you know? If I saw those cats on TV today, however, I’d probably mistake them for two campy transvestites and wonder why they weren’t on Bravo. I admit, though, that I’d likely still find their red lips and nails awesome; there’s just something about a red pucker and red digits that screams “Respect me, bitch!” Whenever I try to wear both at the same time, however, I feel that I look like a trashy whore and not a powerful diva, so I asked Ashunta Sheriff, makeup artist for Christian Dior, on how to wear red well. Her beauty breakdown, after the jump… Keep reading »

Handle This: Dating A Mama’s Boy

Chelsea KaplanAugust 21, 2008 //

When your relationship is full of drama created by his mama, the road to romance can feel like a traffic jam – with her in the driver’s seat. Puzzled as to why when he’s around his mother, your man acts more like a boy? Below, Debra Mandel, Ph.D., author of “Dump That Chump: From Doormat to Diva in Only Nine Steps-A Guide to Getting Over Mr. Wrong”, answers this and some additional commonly-asked questions concerning men who aren’t yet ready to make someone other than mama number one in their lives. Keep reading »

  1. < BACK
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. ...
  6. NEXT >