
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re single, it can be a pretty daunting holiday.
Check out this week’s Caroline’s Plate column on Richmond.com for some tips on surviving Singles Awareness Day!
Fast forward almost a century and S.A.D. still haunts singletons each February, drowning us in doilies, candy hearts, and greeting cards. We’re incessantly reminded that “every kiss begins with Kay,” some chump went to Jared, and the Overstock.com lady is still living the good life (a gorgeous husband, cute kid, diamond earrings, breakfast in bed, her favorite flowers and a spot on TV. Some broads get all the luck.) To make matters worse, it’s virtually impossible to get a dinner reservation anywhere decent. Your only real option is a bland Lean Cuisine, sappy movies and a handle of cheap vodka, all by your lonesome. Right? Wrong!
Though I absolutely loath Valentine’s Day with the fire of a thousand suns, I’ve vowed never again to wallow in self pity. I’ve been there, done that, and it wasn’t pretty.
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I came across this little gem of a forward while cleaning out my email today. What’s your drinking style, according to your astrological sign?
ARIES
Drinking style: Impulsive Aries people like to party and sometimes don’t know when to call it a night. Their competitive streak makes them prone to closing time shot contests. They’re sloppy, fun drunks, and they get mighty flirty after a couple tipples. Getting Aries people drunk is a good way to get what you want out of them, should other methods fail. Aries can become bellicose when blotto, but they will assume that whatever happened should be forgiven (if not forgotten) by sunrise. They can be counted on to do the same for you — so long as you haven’t gone and done anything really horrible to them last night, you sneaky Gemini.
TAURUS
Drinking style: Taurus prefers to drink at a leisurely pace, aiming for a mellow glow rather than a full on zonk. Since a truly intoxicated Taurus is a one-person stampede, the kind of bull-in-a-china-shop inebriate who spills red wine on white carpets and tells fart jokes to employers, the preference for wining and dining (or Bud and buddies) to body shots and barfing is quite fortunate for the rest of us. This is not to say that the Bull is by any means a teetotaler — god, no. A squiffy Taurus will get, er, gregarious (full of loudmouth soup, some would say) and is extremely amusing to drag to a karaoke bar when intoxicated.
GEMINI
Drinking style: Gemini’s can drink without changing their behavior much — they’re so naturally chatty and short-attention-spanned that it’s just hard to tell sometimes. They can amaze you by conversing with finesse and allusions, then doing something to belie an extremely advanced state of intoxication, like puking in your shoe. Gemini’s possess the magic ability to flirt successfully (and uninfuriatingly, which is very tricky) with several people at once. They like to order different cocktails every round — repetition is boring — and may create a theme (like yellow drinks: beer, sauvignon blanc and limoncello) for their own amusement.
CANCER
Drinking style: Cancer is a comfort drinker — and an extra wine with dinner or an after-work beer or six can be extra comforting, can’t it, Cancer darling? Like fellow water signs Scorpio and Pisces, Crabs must guard against lushery. Cancers are brilliant at ferreting out secret parties and insinuating themselves on VIP lists — and, in true Hollywood style, Cancers are never really drunk; instead, they get “tired and emotional” (read: weepy when lubricated). But there’s nothing better than swapping stories (and spit) over a few bottles of inky red wine with your favorite Cancer. Even your second-favorite Cancer will do. The sign also rules the flavor vanilla, and you’d be adored if you served up vanilla vodka and soda.
LEO
Drinking style: Leo likes to drink and dance — they’re often fabulous dancers, and usually pretty good drinkers as well, losing their commanding dignity and turning kittenish. Of course, they’re quite aware they’re darling — Leos will be Leos, after all. They generally know their limit, probably because they loathe losing self-control. When they get over-refreshed, expect flirting to ensue — and perhaps not with the one what brung them. But Leo’s not the type to break rules even when drunk, so just try to ignore it (try harder, Cancer) and expect a sheepish (and hung over) Lion to make it up to you the next day.
VIRGO
Drinking style: Cerebral Virgos are compelled to impose order onto their bender. Their famously fussy quest for purity could lead to drinking less than other signs, sure — but it could also lead to drinking booze neat, to sucking down organic wine or just to brand loyalty. They rarely get fully shellacked — but, oh, when they do! Virgo’s controlled by the intellect, but there’s an unbridled beast lurking within, and they let it loose when walloped. It’s dead sexy (and surprisingly unsloppy). As one Virgo friend used to declare, “I’m going to drink myself into a low level of intelligence tonight.” A toast to the subgenius IQ!
LIBRA
Drinking style: “I’m jusht a social drinker,” slurs Libra, “it’s jusht that I’m so damn social?” Libra loves nothing more than to party, mingle and relate to everyone. Whether dipped in favor of Good Libra (with Insta-Friend device set to “on”) or heavier on the Evil Libra side (they are little instigators when bored), the Scales can really work a room. Charming as they are, Libras are notoriously lacking in self-control, however, which can get them into all sorts of trouble — including wearing their wobbly boots waaaay too early in the evening, flirting with their best friend’s beau or even blacking out the night’s events entirely. Oops!
SCORPIO
Drinking style: Don’t ever tell Scorpios they’ve had enough, for they’ll smirk at you and quietly but intentionally keep tippling till they’re hog whimpering drunk, out of 100-proof spite. Scorpios like to drink, and screw you if you have a problem with that. Most of them see the sauce as something to savor in itself, and not as a personality-altering tool — though if depressed, self-loathing Scorps seek total obliteration. But generally, they’re fascinating drinking pals, brilliant conversationalists and dizzying flirts. They also remember everything — especially what you did when you were blitzed. Only drink with a Scorpio who likes you.
SAGITTARIUS
In vino veritas — and, for Sagittarius, in booze blurtiness: When battered, they’ll spill all your secrets and many of their own. Tactlessness aside, Sagittarius is just plain fun to drink with. This is a sign of serious partying (what else would you expect from the sign of Sinatra, Keith Richards, the Bush twins and Anna Nicole Smith?). They’re the people who chat up everyone in the room, then persuade the entire crowd to travel somewhere else — like a nightclub, or a playground, or Cancun. Good-natured hijinks are sure to ensue (including a high possibility of loopy groping; spontaneous Sag is a brilliant booty call).
CAPRICORN
Drinking style: Capricorn is usually described as practical, steadfast, money-hungry and status-thirsty — no wonder they get left off the astrological cocktail-party list. But this is the sign of David Bowie and Annie Lennox, not to mention Elvis. Capricorn is the true rock star: independent, powerful and seriously charismatic, not too eager to please. And if they make money being themselves, who are you to quibble? But just like most rock stars, they’re either totally on or totally off, and they generally need a little social lubricant to loosen up and enjoy the after party, especially if they can hook up with a cute groupie.
AQUARIUS
Drinking style: Aquarius and drinking don’t go together that well (except for water, that is). They have an innate tendency toward know-it-allism, and if they get an idea while sizzled, they’re more stubborn than a stain or a stone. If they’re throwing a party or organizing an outing, however, they’re too preoccupied with their duties to get combative — and they make perfectly charming drunks in that case. Fortunately, they’re usually capital drink-nursers. They also make the best-designated drivers (if you can get them before they start raising their wrist): Aquarius is fascinated by drunken people and capable of holding interesting conversations with soused strangers while sober.
PISCES
Drinking style: If you’re a Pisces, you’ve probably already heard that you share a sign — and an addictive personality — with Liz Taylor, Liza Minelli and Kurt Cobain. Not only do Pisces like to lose themselves in the dreamy, out-there feeling that only hooch can give, but they build up a mighty tolerance fast. Who needs an expensive date like that? On the other hand, they’re fabulously enchanting partners, whether in conversation or in crime. With the right Pisces, you can start out sharing a pitcher of margaritas and wind up in bed together for days. The phrase “addictive personality” can be read two ways, you know.
Absolutely loved this beautiful and tender performance by Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris of Jeff Buckley’s adored (and one of my all-time favorites), “Hallelujah.” The duo performed at the Hope for Haiti telethon 1/23/2010:

Big props to Lemondrop.com for their (most of the time) extremely witty and funny posts. I especially enjoyed this one, “The Worst Boyfriends from Television and Movies”
The Worst Boyfriends From Television and Movies
Jerks, cheats, cads — why do ladies love them? Douchey boyfriends may not be tolerated in real life (well, sometimes they are), but on the big and small screen they’re pretty darn entertaining. Some of the most memorable love interests in pop culture are also borderline sociopaths. (Or not-so-borderline.) Here’s our salute to the worst boyfriends in pop culture. They’re the guys you love to hate, the callous jocks and lethal lotharios who secretly melt your heart (and steal your wallet).
Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto), “My So-Called Life”
Jordan is the epitome of the aloof pretty boy, whose blank stares are mistaken for looks of romantic longing. In fact, Jordan wasn’t all that bright, and his yo-yo relationship with Angela drove us crazy. Plus, he wasn’t even a good songwriter, preferring to pen odes to his car rather than to Angela’s silky head of hair. And he never should’ve let that talentless drunky-pants Rayanne sing with the Frozen Embryos.
J.D. (Christian Slater), “Heathers”
One of the many brilliant aspects of “Heathers” is the way it reveals the cool “rebel without a cause” character for the psycho jerk he actually is. J.D. — are guys named J.D. ever not jerks? — drags Winona Ryder’s Veronica into his murderous plot, all under the auspices of being her soul mate. Hey, at least his explosive death lights her cigarette.
Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale)
Sure, he’s obscenely wealthy and handsome (not to mention the definition of a troubled guy who needs saving). But Mr. Wayne also has a pesky habit of sneaking out at night in tights and a cape. Plus, his love interests don’t exactly have a long lifespan — they’re either forgotten about, like Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), or blown up, like Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal).
James Bond, Every Bond Movie
Has notorious bed-hopper James Bond ever had a relationship that lasted more than one movie? Even Daniel Craig’s PC-era Bond can’t seem to keep a girlfriend for very long. (They tend to either end up dead or jilted.) Seriously, it was cute in the ’60s, but now it’s just getting silly. Isn’t it time Bond settled down with a nice fellow MI6 agent? Or perhaps Judi Dench?
Dylan McKay (Luke Perry), “Beverly Hills, 90210″
Sure, he’s a dreamy rebel with killer sideburns. But is it worth all the baggage? Alcohol and drug problems, a criminal pop, commitment issues — the guy rivals RuPaul for the title of biggest drama queen of the ’90s.
Jim (Anthony Michael Hall), “Edward Scissorhands”
Hall tapped into his years of being bullied in ’80s classics like “Weird Science” and “The Breakfast Club” to play selfish jock Jim, who convinces Edward (Johnny Depp) to commit a burglary just so he can buy a van for make-out sessions with Kim (Winona Ryder). You have to be a really, really terrible boyfriend to get childlike Edward to stab you with his scissors on purpose.
Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), “Gossip Girl”
Schemer, womanizer, scarf aficionado — Chuck Bass is all these things and more. From stealing Blair away from Nate — and then ditching her before their Italian jaunt for another girl — Bass proves time and again that he isn’t worth any self-respecting gal’s time. But he sure keeps the “Gossip Girl” bloggers busy.
Zachary “Sack” Lodge (Bradley Cooper), “Wedding Crashers”
Seeing as how “Wedding Crashers” is basically a modern-day ’80s comedy, Cooper’s “Sack” fills the borderline-psycho-boyfriend shoes. Not only does he constantly cheat on Claire (Rachel McAdams), he spends most of the movie punching whoever’s in his field of view. Cooper’s everyman persona is put to good use, and that ugly yellow sweater he sports is dead on.
William Zabka, “Karate Kid,” “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” every movie made during the ’80s
Zabka’s cocky jerks (usually named something preppy-sounding like “Chas”) in everything from “Karate Kid and “Back to School” cemented his role as the biggest bully of the ’80s. And though he’s barely in the second “Vacation” movie, his slimy presence is still felt as Audrey’s boyfriend who was clearly cheating on her back home.
“The Russian” (Mikhail Baryshnikov), “Sex and the City”
“Sex and the City” offered us a bevy of terrible boyfriends (Remember the guy who wanted to pull an R. Kelly on Carrie?), but Baryshnikov’s dreary, morbid Aleksandr Petrovsky takes the cake for sucking the life out of every scene he was in. Yes, he took Carrie to Paris, but he also refers to her as strictly a “lover” and failed to display an ounce of sympathy when Samantha had cancer. At least “Post-It Note” Berger was entertaining.
Hardy Jenns (Craig Sheffer), “Some Kind of Wonderful”
Sheffer’s role as the rich, cocky ex-boyfriend of Lea Thompson in “Some Kind of Wonderful” pretty much guaranteed he’d play shady characters for the rest of his career. Wonderfully-named bully Hardy Jenns tries to sabotage Amanda’s budding relationship with working class Keith (Eric Stoltz), constantly threatening to “make him pay.” ’80s tough guys loved telling people they’ll make them pay.
Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), “Dawson’s Creek”
Wah, wah, I love Joey. Boo hoo, now I love Jen. Whiny, arrogant Dawson didn’t deserve to have his name in the title. We’re still happy that Joey chose Pacey in the end.
Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), “American Psycho”
Good-looking, successful, well-dressed … what’s not to like about Patrick Bateman? OK, maybe he is a little too into the discographies of Huey Lewis and Phil Collins. And, yes, maybe he does have threesomes with prostitutes before horrifically butchering them. Hey, nobody’s perfect.
Rob Gordon (John Cusack), “High Fidelity”
Here are our top five reasons why Rob’s kind of a tool: 1. He reunites with old flames when he should be focusing on making things work with Laura (Iben Hjejle); 2. He borrows money from Laura and is unsympathetic to her abortion; 3. His record collection has taken over his life; 4. He’s far less likable than other Cusack characters; 5.He makes way too many lists.
Thank you to Marc & Angel Hack Life for the below brilliantly thought-provoking entry:
These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
22. Why are you, you?
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
25. What are you most grateful for?
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
30. What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
32. If not now, then when?
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
48. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
Hi everyone!
I am SO excited to share this news with you! On Monday, February 8th, Richmond.com will be sponsoring the first ever (official) Caroline’s Plate social hour at the very fabulous Balliceaux (203 N. Lombardy St.). The pre-Valentine’s Day event will be called Cocktails with Caroline, and it’s an opportunity for you all to come together, meet some new people, get drinks and yummy appetizers, and kick off Valentine’s Day week with a bang!
We will be livetweeting the event, and we’ll also have a photographer to capture all you sexy ladies & gents for a post-event slideshow on Richmond.com! We will also be offering a few lucky guests Richmond.com prize packs, and “first date” gift baskets to one lucky guy and girl.
So come join me at Balliceaux on Monday, February 8 from 6-8pm for appetizers, drink specials, and more!
XOXO,
Caroline’s Plate
P.S. Watch this space and my Twitter account for more upcoming details!
Happy New Year, everyone!
As we say goodbye to 2009 and welcome 2010 in, everyone is talking about their New Year’s resolutions: whether it be to join a gym, quit smoking, or cut back on getting McDonald’s for breakfast every morning.
Us single gals and guys need to make resolutions too– love resolutions. In this week’s Caroline’s Plate, we look at five New Year’s love resolutions.
In 2010, I will….
1. Appreciate my freedom as a single person. The single life can sometimes be pretty great. You get to unapologetically watch marathons of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” in your disgusting, tattered sweats. You can stay out until 3 or go to bed at 8 and don’t have to justify your behavior to anyone. You have the freedom to flirt with whomever you please, whenever you please. $4.99 wine and a bagel for dinner? Why not. Don’t feel like cleaning the kitchen? Don’t do it. Sometimes, it can be fabulous to be on your own. So, write down the things you love about being single. If you ever start to feel down about your singularity, bring out this list and remind yourself that being single can be pretty wonderful.
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Another year in the Aughts is coming to a close. Now is the time to reflect, be thankful, and make changes to our lives.
But perhaps the most important thing that happened this year, above all else…. was all the juicy celebrity gossip. I kid, I kid. Kind of. But there are lessons to be learned from Hollywood in Love, and in this week’s Caroline’s Plate, we dissect them one by one.
Tiger Woods: I’m still trying to break this one down. You are one of the most successful athletes in the world. You have a smoking hot wife, two beautiful children, a successful career, and you could quit your job yesterday and be set for life. Dude. What. Are. You. Doing. Guys, if you are somewhat successful and outgoing, there will always be beautiful women who will want to change your point of view, even for a second, about your situation. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, you have a lovely lady waiting for you at home, and gorgeous children who adore you. If you’re thinking about cheating, remind yourself of what you do have, not of what you don’t have. So, don’t be that guy. No one likes that guy. You’ve got a brain, use it.
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Loving Taken by Trees cover of Sweet Child O’ Mine.
Feeling like you’re in a bit of a food coma these days with all the holiday parties’ food and booze? Me too. It’s given me a chance to think about another kind of leftovers- of the love & relationship variety. Check it out on this week’s Caroline’s Plate!

“Friends often share the same taste in music, clothes, movies, and more. And, in a city where everyone seems to know everyone, it’s not all that unusual for two pals to share a common romantic interest—whether it’s the girl who lives above you in your apartment building (who happened to go on a date with your buddy last spring), or the guy you’ve been making eyes with at Gold’s Gym (who your friend took home after a particularly indulgent night of drinking at 3 Monkeys). In these situations, however, you seem to get cornered into a definite gray area. The ethical guidelines are sketchy at best. If you’re single in Richmond, is everyone fair game? Is it rational to stake claims on past flings, forever branding them as “off limits?” Or, should we all abide by the M.A.C. System from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Move in After Completion)?”
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