So today’s day two, and I have to say … yesterday’s experiment with the addition of luxurious sheets and scented candles really did turn my bedroom into a, OK, I’ll say it, ‘Sanctuary of Love.’ Or at least of peace, anyway. And that? I LOVE. Today’s focus of the day is to realize that a good relationship isn’t just about sex (just as Taylor Swift).

This? Was not as hard as I thought it’d be. My husband is a full-time student (he’s FINALLY done this spring) who works part-time, I work from home full-time and also take care of our daughter, three years old, at home, full-time. WE’RE BUSY. Honestly? Sex is sometimes the last thing on my mind for days. So I thought this particular exercise would be kind of hard. I mean, actually making an EFFORT to be extra emotionally connected instead of just sweating it out for a half-hour in the bedroom on occasion? Sheesh.

The experiment prompted us to focus on spending extra time hugging and kissing and caressing in a non-sexual way. We made it happen in passing; he’s had the flu for three days (sorry, husband, but I don’t want the mange or whatever it is that’s ailing you these days). We were to document how many times we physically interacted with one another aside from brushing fingers while passing the salt, and dusting feathers from our swanky new pillows off one another’s shoulder-  and even though we couldn’t, like, suck face and embrace a la Gone With the Wind, we still managed to touch it out at least twenty times so far today, AND we curled up on the couch to watch part of Stephen King’s The Shining while my little girlfriend napped. (Some of us like horror movies, you know – it can’t all be Twilight and Bridget Jones’ Diary.)

The bottom line was being connected on an emotional level, and I’m pretty proud to say, though we’re both wicked busy people with tons and tons of obligations both inside and outside the home, we made it work.

Part of the experiment was also to ask ourselves these questions, and if we could say ‘yes’ to at least half of them, we are officially connected on an emotional level, and not just two roommates sharing a flat who happen to have the occasional sex, and oh yeah, a child together:

- Hug/embrace
- Hold hands
- Kiss
- Say ‘I love you’
- Call during the day to say ‘hi’ and check in
- Compliment each other
- Email each other
- Eat meals together
- Take time to really talk about each other’s day
- Do chores together
- Go on regular date nights
- Watch favorite TV shows or read the newspaper together
- Socialize with other people together
- Cultivate/participate in mutual hobbies/common interests
- Go on vacations together

Guys? It appears that we’ve got this down pat.

How many of you can say that you do at least half of these things?

Don’t forget to check out The Bachelorette‘s Ryan and Trista’s journey so far … I’ve never met a more likable celebrity couple in, like, life. You can also follow the experiment on K-Y’s Facebook page, Couples Place, too. And of course, DON’T FORGET TO ENTER for a chance to win your own kit, too! (Leave it in the comments, guys.)

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s experiment!

I wrote this posting while participating in a blog campaign on behalf of K-Y^® Brand and also received product samples to help facilitate my review. In addition, K-Y^® Brand sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

I’m pretty sure that this girl is just trying to kill her father now.

Miley Cyrus was caught smoking a cigarette by the paparazzi yesterday. The pop singer is 18 years old and can legally acquire the cigs, but she’s supposed to be one of those goody-goody types that wouldn’t be caught dead putting chemicals into her body.

As someone who’s in the process of trying to kick a ten year cigarette habit, I wish I could rip that smoke right out of her hand, take a quick puff and then stomp all over it. It’s such a nasty habit and trying to quit is the worst.

Stick to the salvia, girl.

Khloe Kardashian has been really open about the struggles she has had with her weight over the years, and now she’s putting even more pressure on herself. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star says that she wants to be bikini-ready by June, a goal that’s not too unrealistic.

Khole said, “I don’t know if people think celebrities don’t have insecurities, but … everyone does. Mine personally is weight. I could be as skinny as ever, but to somebody else, I may not ever be good enough. My weight fluctuates, and I accept that, and it’s my life struggle, but I just wanted to point out that I’m normal, and everybody has their own things.”

No, I think it’s pretty obvious that celebs are some of the most insecure folks out there, but that’s a good message, Khloe.

I dunno, I feel like putting pressure on yourself to be fit for bikini season is an excellent way to fail. The end goal of fitting into a swimsuit seems kind of hollow to me and hardly enough motivation to keep up with a serious lifestyle change. However, the Christmas season AKA the binging season is behind us, so maybe she does have a chance of succeeding.

Everyone’s obsessed with Nicki Minaj, even little Selena Gomez.

Justin Bieber’s girlfriend just released this video of herself trying to rap a verse from Nicki’s “Super Bass” that was taped backstage at The People’s Choice Awards. Sel actually seems to have most of the lyrics down pat, even the more scandalous lines that were cleverly sped up in post. Disney doesn’t need another one of their stars going down over a leaked video, ya know.

What’s your favorite Nicki Minaj song to sing along to? I’m still pretty hung up on “Roman’s Revenge”…

Damn. Have we ever seen Avril Lavigne look as good as she does in this spread for the Italian version of Vanity Fair? I think not.

In fact, it was just a couple of weeks ago that were were discussing how tired her look is and how odd her relationship with Brody Jenner is. I guess if she dresses anything like this in her downtime, we now have a better understanding of the former.

Sponge that girl off and make up her Batboy face and you’ve got quite a looker. It’s almost inspiring.

Lindsay Lohan is responding to allegations that she stole a necklace from a Venice Beach jewelry shop by saying that it was just a simple misunderstanding.

The shop owner contacted police after seeing Lindsay out and about wearing the necklace that had been stolen from her shop earlier that week. The one of a kind piece was apparently one of many that Lindsay tried on while in the shop and is valued at &2,500.

But Lindsay’s lawyer is saying that her client was under the impression the necklace was a loaner, a standard exchange between celebrities and shop owners.

From People.com:

The actress is accused of having walked away with a “one of a kind” necklace from a Venice, Calif., jewelry store on Jan. 22. But before police executed a search warrant on her home, the necklace was surrendered to a local LAPD station.

“Lindsay doesn’t understand how the store can file a police report when they let her borrow the necklace,” said a source close to the actress. “She’s used to getting gifted items that are worth way more than that. And why would she steal a necklace? She has tons of jewelry and doesn’t need anymore.”

Lohan remains on probation and under random drug testing in her ongoing DUI case and faces a Feb. 25 progress review hearing.

The judge who sent Lindsay to rehab said that if she messed up again, she was going to go back to jail. This time for six months. That’s why I want to believe that Lindsay didn’t steal the necklace and the store’s owner is just looking to get a little publicity for her no name jewelry shop.

On the other hand, Lindsay’s known for acting out, and with drugs and alcohol no longer being an option, I can totally see her sticky fingers making a comeback. Sigh.

Do you think Lindsay is guilty of stealing the necklace?