Benny-Wenny-Boo-Boo-Boo.

My all-time favorite romantic comedy is a film called How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. I HIGHLY suggest watching this film and so I will not go into specific details of the plot. I will, however, commend the film's writers, as they were able to craft arguably the most embarrassing array of pet names given to any male in the history of time. The main character of the film, Ben, is lovingly referred to as "Benny-Wenny-Boo-Boo-Boo", "Benji" and "Princess Sophia". Though this comedy is in no way a portrait of a normal/healthy relationship, perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to judge these or any other pet names.

The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships once published a study which found that pet names are very healthy for a relationship. Pet names signify that a couple feels close enough to develop their own language and culture. This is an example of positive communication, which makes for a happy relationship.

Think of any close romantic or non-romantic relationship in your life. I bet you (and I'm no gambler) that you can think of a pet name or nick-name that you have been given or have given to someone else. My best friend/college roommate and I have countless nicknames for each other. Some of these names are more endearing than others, but they've all grown from an event or a detail that we've experience in our history together. When we use these names, our positive relationship is reinforced.

Simon and Garfunkel and even John and Abigail Adams had secret names that they used when communicating with one another.

What pet names have you given/been given?

In the spirit of pet names, I'd like to dedicate this post to my pet.



The happiest of 25th birthdays to you, boo-boo-boo-boo-boo.

Hair we go.

Today I casually read (stalked) the blog of a good friend (stranger) who was in need of some hair advice. She wanted to know secrets of how to keep hair healthy.

As a fellow dirty blond, I am familiar with what those pretty little pale highlights can do to your hair....

1. We'll start out simple: Do not wash your hair everyday. By using shampoo and conditioner daily, you constantly strip natural oils from your hair and then replace them. If you find that your hair gets greasy after going a day without washing it, baby powder is a great trick to absorb excess oil.

If you're not too thrilled about putting baby powder in your tresses, follow Rachel Zoe's lead and use The All Nighter Styling Powder. This powder comes in many colors to reflect the natural or dyed shade of your hair. It absorbs icky oil and leaves your hair looking just about as fabulous as it did before.

2. Avoid your flat iron! I am guilty of breaking this rule. My Chi and I are best friends. If you HAVE to straighten your hair every day a la Sammi Sweetheart, use a heat-protective cream on your hair before you do it! I like Kiehls' Heat Protective Silk Straightening Cream. Kiehls can do no wrong in my book.

Every once in a while, it is very important to give your hair a little break. Why not go grunge for a few days or get in touch with your inner hippie?

3. Get in the kitchen, ladies. What does this mean? There are many at home remedies that you can use to make your hair look and feel healthier -- and most of these can be found in your home. Olive oil, beer, chamomile tea and even mayonnaise have all been known to help make your hair look and feel more beautiful. If you really think about it, have you ever seen a St. Pauli girl with limp, broken hair?

Now go and let your hair grown until a really handsome prince can climb it without you feeling a thing. Talk about having some tricks up your sleeve...