Flirting has been around since the dawn of time. Both men and women use flirting to communicate both interest and desire. However the most successful flirts have certain attributes that enable them to carry off their flirting effortlessly. So if you want to learn how to flirt or simply improve your flirting skills here are some things you must have to flirt successfully-

• Attitude-It is important to keep in mind that if you don't have it, you can't flaunt it. The best flirts are risk takers who have an unshakable confidence. This attitude seems to almost enter the room before they do and draws people to them as they subconsciously send out the message, "I am a great person and you should get to know me."
• Believability-Before you get carried away with the attitude should keep understand that you have to believe you are a great catch or no one else will. If you do not think you are worth it, you have lost the game before it has even begun. Remember that believability comes from knowing who you really are.
• Humor-This is definitely a must have. One of the core elements of any relationship is the ability to make the other person laugh; be it "at" or "with" you. Think about the people who you feel are the most fun-generally they are the funniest. The key here though is to communicate the humor that reflects who you are do not try to copy someone Else's.
• Have Fun-Nothing says "comfortable" like a flirt who is willing to "let down their hair" and be spontaneous and goofy. It goes back to having that sense of humor. Keep in mind that someone who can have fun can be in the middle of a crowd or one and one and you still want to hang out with them.
• Assertiveness-To be a successful flirt you must be able to approach someone and start a conversation. Keep in mind that you do not have to be a male to make the first move. Women can make the first move and many men even welcome this.
• Sincerity-If someone is truly interested in you, they will want you to feel comfortable being the "real you." You should not be afraid to show a little vulnerability. Keep in mind that someone who is not sincere will be discovered as a fake quickly. The best flirts understand that being who they really are is the key to being able to flirt.
• Eye Contact-It is important to not stare the other person down but simply give them the attention and respect they deserve. Best of all direct eye contact also shows confidence! Studies have shown that people who give eye contact are much more trusted then those who do not.
• Accessorize-We do not mean with jewelry and matching shoes, (though looking good is important when flirting) but with conversation starters like dogs, a good book, or a signature scent that's bound to attract attention. See a popular movies, read a good book or go out to the trendy new restaurant so when the conversation comes around to you, you will have something to say.
• Approachability-Keep in mind that nobody likes an ice-queen, or king for that matter. If this is difficult you will need to force yourself to let your guard down and you will then make yourself more approachable.
• Smile-This may actually be your most important attribute since not only does it shows you are enjoying their company, it's contagious, and it makes you one hundred times more attractive and approachable!

The relationship between friends and siblings bare many strong resemblances. In fact, there are even a number of commonly used phrases like, "My sister is my best friend," or, "He is like a brother to me," that really illustrate just how often the line between being siblings and being friends can be blurred.

There are studies that investigate how this association is achieved and what characteristics a pair of siblings or friends might need to have in order to attain this close bond. The basic underlying conclusion is that an "understanding of mind" must be achieved. In short, it is necessary for two people to have complementary personalities and to value the others differences as supplements to one's own personality. This correlation was found in obvious forms like how close friends or siblings carried on a conversation, but correlations were also found on the cognitive level. Language skills, communication skills, and socio-economic background were also important factors in explaining what made for a strong relationship between gender, siblings, and friends. Although these factors were not as important between siblings as they were between friends.

Dependability is another huge factor in defining close friendships. Those who have close friendships or who are close with their siblings, tend to also have a certain degree of dependability to the other person. Close friends and siblings have a need to be with the other individual, rather than just an occasional desire.

Gender and age tend to be especially important in making best friends and having close siblings in the years between ten and fourteen. It is during this age that adolescents will really begin to show whether or not the future holds a strong relationship. Children who constantly bicker with one particular sibling in adolescence will generally not be especially close to that sibling in adulthood (although it is very common for two siblings to see an improvement in their relationship as they age).

With all of these similarities between friends and siblings, one might begin to wonder what could be done to foster healthy relationships such that siblings can learn to become close friends. One helpful suggestion is to find a healthy balance between the amount of time that siblings spend together and that amount of time that they are allowed to spend apart.

While taking family vacations, having a meal together daily, and getting together one night a week for games can help foster a positive relationship, children also need time away from their siblings and doing their own thing with their own friends. Siblings who may have challenges getting along, could benefit from a set of rules that outline exactly what type of behavior is acceptable between siblings and what behavior is not allowed. Providing a punishment if these rules are broken is a needed natural consequence. Parents need to also make sure that they are doing all they can to show by example that everyone in the family needs to be shown love and respect.

Just mentioning the term "sibling rivalry" is enough to elicit fond memories of childhood arguments between sisters or a parent's memories of how their sons were always beating each other up. Sibling rivalry is alive and well. Since the first siblings that ever were, there has been sibling rivalry. This feeling of completion and animosity spares no one but the only child. Providing an explanation for sibling rivalry is a challenge. There are many theories, but still no one theory that manages to cover all of the variables in the rivalry that exists between siblings.

Sibling rivalry can range in severity. Some siblings might fight constantly as children but be very close in adulthood. Some children rarely fight with their siblings while others seem to be constantly at each others thoughts. In an ideal familial situation, it can be difficult to pin point the cause of sibling rivalry. It becomes easier to theorize where feelings of aggression come from in more dysfunctional relationships or abusive relationships, keeping in mind that abuse can take on the form of being both physical and emotional.

Children with siblings that receive more attention because they poses a particular talent or seem to be favored more by a parent can be the recipients of a lot of hard feelings from jealous and hurt siblings. Experts estimate that as early as age three, children have the ability to start comparing themselves to others and begin to act accordingly in the family. Even in perfectly healthy families feelings of jealousy can arise from something as basic as bringing home a new baby. Especially in the case of an oldest child welcoming home their first sibling, it can be difficult to give up the sole attention of the parents, thus harboring ill from the new sibling's infancy.

It is in adolescence that sibling rivalry seems to be especially unpleasant as siblings are at an age where they are physically and intellectually better able to really get under each others skin. The pressures and awkwardness of one's teenage years provide more than adequate ammunition for siblings to really let loose on each other if so inclined. Add to that the increased emotional insecurities of one's teenage years and you have a recipe for some of the most potent sibling rivalry there is. It is between the ages of 10 and 15 that siblings are reported as having the highest level of competition.

While it is true that many siblings that were rivals in childhood, can grow to be friends in adulthood, there still remains a surprising amount of childhood rivals who hold on to their discontent for each other far into their adult lives. In fact, approximately one-third of adults describe their relationship with siblings as rivalries or distant. It is not until one reaches the age of sixty or over that these numbers start showing a marked decrease and siblings begin to let go of their life-long rivals.

There are certain occasions in life that should always be celebrated and a wedding anniversary is one of those! Whether you are newlywed celebrating only a few years together or long time marrieds who have shared a lifetime reconnecting and celebrating your wedding anniversary should be a tradition. Best of all there is no right way to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Depending on your creativity and your budget the sky is the limit. So break out of that movie and dinner rut that you are already in and when that special date rolls around here are some fun ways to celebrate your wedding anniversary-

• Recreate your first date-For a wonderful and nostalgic way to celebrate your wedding anniversary you may want to recreate your first date. If the two of you were teenagers when you first began dating you may had your parents drive you so rent a town car so that you can sit in the backseat together. Bring the kind flowers you showed up with on that first date. If your first date was dinner and movie then go ahead a recreate it as best you can. Go to the same place for dinner (though you may have to rent the movie to watch at home). Just remember the idea her is to recreate the fun and romance of that first date.
• Go on a second honeymoon-Some couples use the excuse of celebrating their wedding anniversary by taking a second, third or even fourth honeymoon. Whether large or small a getaway with just the two of you can be the perfect way to celebrate this most special occasion. If your budget is smaller why not book a room at a luxury hotel in your hometown? If you are lucky enough to have a larger budget consider a cruise or other planned excursion where everything is taken care of and all you have to do is enjoy being together.
• Renew your vows-For something really different why not a Las Vegas vow renewal? There is no place easier to renew your vows then in Las Vegas with lots of venues to choose from (even drive-through wedding chapels)! You could even opt for an Elvis-inspired vow renewal. Renewing your vows to each other can be a very special, romantic way of reminding yourselves how much the two of you love each other, and regardless of how different this vow exchange will be from your original ceremony, you will still feel that same tingle of excitement and emotion that you did on your wedding day.
• Add some luxury to your life-For a lasting reminder of your wedding anniversary celebration you may want to consider purchasing something the two of you can enjoy together. A hot tub, swimming pool or romantic gazebo would give you a luxurious place just for the two of you. You could get a membership together to a health or golf club or just spend a relaxing day at the spa enjoying your time together. What ever you do just make sure the focus is on the two of you and your wedding anniversary celebration.
• Relive your wedding-Sharing your wedding memories is a great way to mark your anniversary. Start the day by looking at your wedding photos or sit down and watch your wedding video together. You will be amazed at how far you have come together! For some further nostalgia you can recreate your wedding dinner (you may want to have a baker recreate a smaller version of your wedding cake for dessert)! Husbands can surprise their wives with a smaller version of their wedding bouquet. Play the songs that you played at your reception and get ready for a wedding anniversary celebration you will never forget!

Competition is a good thing. Competition drives everything from evolution to innovation. Without competition, no one would be driven to do anything. We need completion to survive. So what happens when friendship and competition meet? In short, the answer depends on a number of different things. If friends are competing for the same position on the football or cheer leading team or if two friends both want to be promoted to team leader, there could be problems.

In a world with limited resources, competition almost always wins over friendship. We are a population of fighters. Even if there are no obvious prizes to win or titles to gain, we are working towards achieving what we feel is most important to our prosperity.

For the most part, friends have similar interest, goals, and aspirations. Competition can exist harmoniously because it is rare that both friends have a goal in mind that can only be attained by one person. Most friends with to excel at work and may compete with each other over how quickly or the method by which they do this, but unless they are in direct conflict for the same position, the completion strengthens the bond of the relationship rather than tearing it apart.

Competition is not always the most obvious of motivators. A friendship can become strained if there is one individual in the relationship who seemingly always succeeds, while the other friend never seems to get their turn in the spotlight. Feelings of resentment can result from competition but may be perceived more as jealousy rather than a consequence of competition. Friendship and competition are especially prevalent during high school years when youth are struggling to define who they are and what their place is in the world. In adolescence, competition exists in academics, athletics, social standing, or popularity and even in romance and relationships.

Healthy and happy friendships can exist when friends compete for these positions against other individuals. But when two friends are in direct completion for something like the same boy friend, things can get ugly and friendships can be lost. Heightened emotional states and a weakly developed sense of perspective make adolescence a hard time for friendship and competition. Some individuals continue to carry the struggle between friendship and competition into adulthood.

In the end, we all need competition. The effects that competition will have on our friendships will be largely determined by how each individual handles conflict and what value they place on that friendship. Weak friendships may not be able to withstand direct completion. But a life-long friendship has a greater ability to weather the storms of competition. Competition between friends can be viewed as either a strengthening experience or a hurdle to overcome. There will be times when we hope for the success of our friends and other times when we hope for the result of the competition to end in our favor. Regardless, even broken friendships can be mended and a renewal found if competition gets the best of us.

Competition is a natural part of life. We compete in school, we compete in the workplace, and we even compete with our friends and family. Competition is a great motivator. Without competition, we would have no reason to work hard. Without someone else to compare ourselves to in competition, we have no way of gauging our progress. We are constantly looking to others to decide how we are doing and what we should do next. Many times we can become engages in competitive behaviors without even realizing it. Many times, it is when we are unaware of our competitive behavior that it begins to get the best of us. We may allow our emotions to drive our actions and that means causing harm or insult to our friends and siblings. So is competition a good thing or a bad thing? There are certainly those who would argue one of both ways. In many cases, it is up to the individual and their specific circumstances to decide whether or not engaging in competition with a friend or sibling is a healthy thing.

Most of us will determine whether or not competition with our family members and friends is a healthy thing by comparing the costs of being dominant (feeling the need to win) versus the benefits. In essence, we must pick our battles. In choosing the causes for which we will compete, one learns how to choose their battles and gain perspective that will help the individual learn how to control competitive urges and remain mindful of the relationship before the combat. Competition between friends and siblings is especially fierce in our youth and adolescent years as childhood competition is usually void of careful thought and empathetic feelings. Wisdom to think about our actions beforehand often comes with age. This is not to say that adulthood is free of competition, only that as an adult we are better suited mentally and emotionally to handle our competitive urges in the most responsible way possible.

The bottom line is that whether or not competition between siblings and friends is healthy or not is up to personal opinion as well as personal experience. Competition is necessary from an evolutionary standpoint, but try telling that to the sixteen-year-old girl whose boyfriend was stolen by her best friend, and you will get the response that evolution can go out the window. In the overall scheme of things, competition gives us purpose and direction.

Competition gives us something to strive for and a reason for celebrating achievements. Friends and siblings complement competition in that they can either drive it or be the support behind competition with another. Competition is healthy when friends and siblings work with us in the same competitive effort. We benefit from competing directly with our friends and siblings in that we are taught the value of our close relationships as well as the importance of putting our relationships in perspective to our goals.

Each person has a unique personality. Many experts agree that we were born with our unique personalities. Of course, there are many changes that our personalities go through as we age. The balance between nature and nurture is altered but there remains some unchangeable factors that may determine more about our personalities than we realize. One such factor is birth order. When born, each of us assume a specific role within the families of which we are a part. Some children are the first born and some are the babies of the family. Researchers have found some striking common underlying characteristics that seem to accompany one's specific birth order.

The oldest child is generally the first to rebel against parental authority and then the first to assume leadership roles. The oldest child is generally the one who likes to blaze her own trails, and introduce her siblings to what the next few years may have in store for them. Naturally, not all younger siblings appreciate the council that the oldest sibling is so free to distribute. Older siblings are often resented by their siblings for assuming a role to close to that of a parent and older siblings consequently blame their parents for forcing responsibility on them at an earlier age. Older siblings are often more bossy and critical, this being a leading cause of discontentment between the oldest child and his siblings.

The second child, and other middle children, generally take a back seat to the oldest child. While the oldest child is having important life experiences, the middle child often feels lost in the shuffle. Unfortunately in families where there are problems with abuse, it is generally the middle child who is singles out. Middle children need to feel like their part in the family unit is an essential one. Therefore, middle children are typically pleasers, meaning that they like to do what they think will bring them praise and recognition. In a family relationship, middle children who feel like they are not being valued as the older children, or even younger children are, will lash out when they are feeling attacked and will feel very defensive about asserting their place in the family and the importance of their role. In adulthood, middle children often serve as the mediators in the family. Second born children are especially aware of the feelings of other members of their family as they took more time in their youth observing others rather than being the center of attention.

Last born children or the babies of the family have their own unique relationship challenges. As the youngest child it can be difficult growing up as the youngest child is labled as the tag along. This can lead to rebellious behavior as the youngest child overcompensates in an attempt to make sure that he is not only seen as so-and-so's younger sibling. The many advantages of being the youngest child in a loving family include being spoiled more as older parents have a harder time letting the youngest grow up. Because of this younger children tend to be a bit needier and dependent on authority figures.

Think about your relationship with your siblings. Has it changed much from when you were kids? The most common answer is no. Sibling bonds and rivalries are generally established during childhood and continue through adulthood, although it may appear to be at a lesser extent when it comes to rivalry. Where you fall in the order of siblings can have a profound impact on who you are, how your personality develops, and your relationship with your siblings. Birth order combined with age gaps has been sited as one of the leading influences of sibling rivalry as well as strong sibling bonds. Since birth order is one thing that can't be changed in the dynamics of sibling relationships, it is best to learn how birth order affects children's personalities and sibling bonds. Unlike the importance of age gaps that diminishes with age, birth order can impact the whole of your life through the influence it has on your personality. The information below is a summary of the findings of a study conducted by Alfred Adler, one of the leading authorities on birth order's psychological effects. There are also suggestions on how to deal with sibling relationship issues caused by typical personality traits associated with birth order.

You make friends in every season of your life. Some are passing friendships that end when that season is done. Some are longer-lasting and follow you through changes. The most important are those that last a life-time. Friendship that lasts that long is bound to come across obstacles. As your life changes, so do you. When opportunities for your family arise, sometimes you pack up and move away. Sometimes it is your friends that go the distance route. However your life turns, you are bound to want to keep friends close, even when you move away. Below are tips on how to keep long-distance friendships strong.

Tip #1: Communicate.

Every relationship has a communication obstacle. With long-distance friendships, the communication obstacle is obviously distance. It is hard to stay involved in someone's life when they don't live within driving distance. However, this does not have to be an obstacle to you. Free long distance calling with cell phones, mail, email, and blogs are all great ways to stay connected with your long-distance friends. You don't feel so disconnected when you get to read about the events in a friend's life. You grow closer together when you talk, even if it isn't face to face. Writing a letter by hand to a friend can hold special meaning and help you pass emotion as well as thoughts onto a friend. Receiving something in the mailbox from a friend and the actual act of opening a letter and reading it is a thrill that will help you overcome the obstacle of distance.

Keep your communication lines open and make yourself readily available to your friends even if they live hundreds of miles away. Making it a point to be aware of birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions for your friends will also strengthen the friendship, so do something extra special on those special occasions that you can't be apart of.

Friendship is built and strengthened through intimate conversation and sharing of one's inner thoughts and feelings. Long-distance friendships can be strengthened in the same way. When you talk to your long-distance friends have a conversation that is light hearten and fun, but share some of the more intimate details of your life as well. When you share, you are sharing a part of yourself. When you listen, do so attentively. Being one-hundred percent present in any relationship is important, but with long-distance friends it is vital. You cannot be distracted or half aware. If your friend is sharing with you over the phone and you aren't listening, they can tell, but they can't see your body language to make up for the difference. Sharing is two-ways, so be there for your long-distance friends.

Tip #3: Visit.

If a vacation is in your calendar and budget, make it one close to long-distance friends or make plans to go on vacation together. Relaxing with your friends strengthens the bonds of friendship. Take time to visit each other every year at least once if possible. Friendship is hard to keep in tact when you never get the personal interaction of seeing each other face to face and playing together. Being friends is more than just talking and reading about each others lives. It is creating memories together. Creating memories together is part of any long-standing relationship. If you want your friendships to last a lifetime, taking time to visit and make memories together is important.

Budgeting can be difficult for some people. When you talk about budgeting as a couple in a marriage relationship it generally complicates things. However, your financial future as a couple needs to be secured by sitting down together, making a budget, monitoring it, and sticking to it. Some couples have one person do all the finances and giving the other a spending limit. Some couples do things jointly. Other couples have one person tracking expenses, but talking together over all purchases. However you decide to control the finances in your marriage relationship, making and keeping a budget is key to your financial success as a couple in a marriage relationship. Here's how to get started:

Step #1: Financial Goals.

Determine your household income from all sources. What are your sources of income? Do both of you work? Is your income set or is it determined upon performance? How much net income is being brought in on average? Are there other sources of income you haven't considered? This step is all about determining your cash flow in your marriage relationship. This step is important to determine precisely. You want to know as precisely as possible because once you know how much money is coming in, you can determine a budget and find the spending leaks.

Step #3: Household Needs.

Determine your household needs together. There are set expenses every month like a mortgage or rent payment and there are variable expenses like gas for your vehicles. Other expenses could include grocery bills, insurance, credit card payments, other debt payments, utilities, etc. Set your expenses down in categories including individual spending categories. Give your variable expenses a limit on how much you can spend on a particular category. This will help you determine how much of your income is going toward month to month expenses. Don't forget your annual expenses when determining your household needs. You'll have car repairs, membership fees, and other annual expenses that can put a strain on your budget if they aren't accounted for ahead of time. As you go through your household needs, determine where you can cut back if needed. Sacrifice isn't always a pleasure, but if your financial goals are something you're really determined to work toward, then sacrifice may be necessary. If you have set financial goals for retirement, emergency funds, and savings, include these in your expenses and make them apart of your spending report.

Step #4: Track it.

This budget is to help you, as a couple in a marriage relationship, reach your financial goals, so be sure to track how you're doing as a couple. Determine together where the spending leaks are and what plan of action to take in order to prevent them.

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after a year of trying or repeated failure to carry a pregnancy to full term. There are many causes for infertility both in men and women. Some of the more common causes among women as well as options for overcoming them are below.

Fallopian Tube Problems

Half of all couples who suffer from infertility problems on the side of the woman do so because of problems with fallopian tubes. The egg waiting to be fertilized in a normal environment travels from the ovary down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. However, many women's fallopian tubes can be blocked due to scarring or infection. Tube compression is also a common problem making it difficult for the eggs to move beyond the ovaries let alone make it to the uterus to be fertilized. The most hazardous problem encountered when trying to get pregnant while your fallopian tubes are blocked is the danger of ectopic pregnancy in which the egg starts to develop outside the uterus.

Ovulation Problems

About a third of couples who are experiencing infertility problems on the woman's side do so because of ovulation problems. This is usually caused by hormonal imbalances that cause a woman not to ovulate or to ovulate infrequently. Hormonal imbalances that cause ovulation problems can also result in eggs not maturing fully before they are released.

Solutions: There are fertility drugs available to increase ovulation as well as to help eggs mature fully before they are released. A fertility specialist can help you decide which is best for you. If fertility drugs do not work to help you become pregnant naturally, IVF, donor eggs, natural therapies available, and adoption are all viable options.

Cervical Mucus Problems

A very rare couple will find that they have cervical mucus problems. There are two extremes to this problem, one in which the cervix produces too little mucus making it difficult if not impossible for sperm to move past the cervix up into the uterus and the other that is produces too much mucus making it too thick for the sperm to travel. Both problems can be further complicated by the cervix producing antibodies which kill the sperm. Everything about the reproductive system is working properly except that the sperm can't get in. The lack of cervical mucus is often caused by lack of ovulation, which the solutions are presented above. Weight can also be a problem with it comes to cervical mucus. If you are too thin to have a period, you are not going to produce cervical mucus. If you are overweight your body could produce too much estrogen causing the cervical mucus to thicken.

Solutions: Fertility drugs can be a solution if your lack of cervical mucus is due to not ovulating. However, some fertility drugs can also dry out your mucus so be sure to consult a fertility specialist. If weight is the issue, it can be resolved through diet. Eat more or less, drink more water, and get to your ideal body weight and you'll see a normalization of your cervical mucus.

Marriage relationships are hard enough. When children are added to the mix it can make or break a marriage. Children can be a point of stress or a point of joy, so it is important to be ready for them as a couple and as individuals before they are brought into the world so they can be the latter. Both partners in the marriage relationship wanting a child is the first thing on your checklist. Then you have to determine whether you and your spouse are healthy emotionally, physically and financially. Here are some suggestions to help you determine if your marriage relationship is ready for the added dynamic of a child yet. While this doesn't cover everything, the basics will get your started.

Emotionally Healthy

A child, particularly a baby, is hugely demanding. Once you become a mother or father, you are a parent for life. Children come with a no return policy, so know you are making a lifetime commitment with you take the step of introducing them to your family. Before you decide your marriage relationship is ready for children, assess whether it is truly emotionally stable or not. Divorce shatters children's lives no matter how old they are, so make sure you and your spouse are whole, emotionally stable in your relationship, and mentally fit to taking on the challenges of parenthood. You must be absolutely and without question committed to each other and to your marriage relationship. Children put stress on your relationship, so if there are any cracks that need mending, get it done before a baby comes on the scene. Having a child never fixes a broken relationship, so don't imagine it will bring your partner back to you.

The physical health of the mother-to-be is very important, and so is the health of the father. Pregnancy puts a lot of stress on the body. Morning sickness, changes in sleeping patterns, bladder issues, and a whole host of problems can make pregnancy uncomfortable and downright miserable. Make sure the mother-to-be in the relationship is physically healthy before you try to get pregnant. Future fathers also need to be aware of their physical health. You don't want to pass on any diseases or disorders if at all possible. Pregnancy and child-rearing is hard on fathers as well, so being physically healthy is important to both your marriage relationship when children come and the relationship you build with those children.

Financially Healthy

A baby can put an enormous strain on your finances. Be sure you are financially healthy before you consider bringing a child into your family. A child is a huge expense including before it is born. Before you decide that your marriage relationship is ready for a child, sit down and take a look at your budget. Where are you willing to sacrifice in order to be able to afford a child? If you don't already have the money saved, start saving right away. Make sure the job supporting the family is stable. After the child's birth your plans may change. Make sure you have a plan with contingencies if anything happens. Most couples filing for divorce site money as the issue that split their marriage relationship. Make sure you aren't one of those by making sure you are financially healthy before baby is conceived.

It's your friend's birthday and you want to throw her a surprise party. Party planning, especially surprise parties, takes preparation and effort to pull off something fun and exciting for all invited. A surprise party helps a friend to feel special and accepted, but if it isn't done right it can blow up in your face leaving your friend feeling unloved and a failure. Don't let your friend's surprise party flop by following these surprise party planning basics.

Step One: Pick the Date and Location

The date and location of your party should be set in stone before anything else so preparations can be much more easily accomplished.

Step Two: Occupy the Guest of Honor

Step Three: Send Out the Invites

Send out invitations for the party specifying that it is a surprise. Most people are pretty good at keeping a secret like this, but if one of your attendees is one that may give away the secret, don't give them the invitation until just a few days before the party and eliminate opportunity for a slip. The time of the party for guests to arrive should be at least thirty minutes before your guest of honor is to arrive. This helps anyone who may be a late arrival still get there before you friend does. You should include on the invitation some sort of dress code. You don't want your friend showing up to her own party dressed unlike everyone else. If casual attire is in order, make sure people know. If your friend is going to the opera before-hand however, you may want to include a note on the invitation to dress up in your finest party regalia.

Step Four: Party Activities

Plan your party activities, food, and drink around what your guest of honor will enjoy, not everyone else. Brainstorm with her close friends about what to serve and what activities to plan. If mix and mingle is what your friend likes, plan the atmosphere to compliment it. This party is for your guest of honor, not for you or the people you invite, so fill it with the things she loves.

Step Five: The Event

Assign someone to be outside when guests arrive to help them park in an inconspicuous place so your guest of honor isn't tipped off by cars lining her street. When everyone has arrived, go over the surprise plan and help people position for the best surprise when you friend walks in. Keep everyone occupied with appetizers and fun until just before the guest of honor arrives. Be sure your decoy person lets you know when they are about to arrive so you can turn out lights and get ready. Surprise the heck out of her and laugh together about what fun it was to plan it for her. Enjoy the party.

How many times have you or one of your friends bemoaned the lack of available dates? If you are like most single people meeting other single people can be a challenge. The things to keep in mind that meeting someone is a "numbers game". You need to place yourself in the path of prospective dates in order to meet that special someone. But if you are use a little creativity and planning you can put yourself in the path of prospective dates (without embarrassment). And best of all using these tips you can have a lot of fun while waiting to find that special someone and isn't that the best part of being looking? Here are some fun ways to meet someone-