“Thank you! It was a surprise, but a great one to be named number one Sexy Australian by Redhotpie.com.au. To me being a sexy woman has to do with self confidence, independence, the way someone carries themselves, with a strong spirit to stand up, and be heard.

– Jess Origliasso (The Veronicas)

After a huge 2008 which saw the blonde half of the Veronicas hit the headlines several times for press grabbing hijinks such as her public make-out session with MTV VJ Ruby Rose and the leaked-to-internet sexy-time pictures, Jess looks set to have an even bigger 2009!

In 2009 the Veronicas have smashed their way into the American top twenty and it has been announced in the press that Jess will be doing a nude photo shoot in support of PETA – nude sexy fun and admirable social causes! This girl has it going on in a big way! SEE THE 2009 SEXY AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR LIST HERE

* Independence and a successful lifestyle. This means having your own personal style, taking care of yourself without obsessing and finding time for your friends and family. Nothing is more attractive to a guy than a girl who knows how to have a good time on her own and looks for a man that shares her dreams not dominates them. A girl who likes doing things by herself and with friends, not one who wants to be around her man 24/7. A woman who knows how to live life on her own is the type who is most likely to be able to lead a successful and balanced relationship with a man.

* Waiting for the man to chase. This is a difficult topic to define, but generally, men like to do the chasing in the beginning of a relationship. Pursuing a man may not give you a chance to see his true feelings. If he is keen, he will initiate dates and outings, as well as call you regularly. Sitting back and waiting for him to do the running can pretty much guarantee that he is interested in you!

* Being sexy not slutty. In the beginning stages of a relationship, a woman should not be too forceful or crude so she doesn’t come across as overwhelming or unfeminine. Flirting is fine but no grabbing of the genitals or bum! If you are inclined to touch a man, make sure it’s a light touch on the arm or knee. As the relationship progresses, stronger displays of affection (especially in public) are more appropriate. Only then is playing footsies under the table okay to do!

* Not having sex too soon. This is a highly debated area, and reactions will vary with different people and situations. Once you take that first step, there’s no going back! For women, sex actually releases a hormone called oxytocin, which may make women become more attached than men, in a shorter time span. Men don’t deal with this very well, and can end up running. So it can be a good idea to get to know your man a little bit before you do the deed, even if the attraction is strong.

* It’s about the small things in life. You should show your man you care about him with small signs, such as preparing his clothes for the following day, or buying him little treats that you know he loves. Men are used to being pampered by their mother, and while you shouldn’t strive to be their next mum, you should pay some attention to his needs. This is how men can tell you care about them. In turn, you will notice him doing the little things for you.

* Show him your support. Stand by him in times of need, laugh at his jokes and help him get back up again. He will naturally do the same for you!

* Never apply pressure to your vested interest. This is an important issue, as men hate any sort of pressure. That means no incessant emailing or texting and no talking about the future in the first few months. And the ‘m’ word – don’t even think about it. Don’t worry, men will pop the question on their own when they are ready, and when they realize what they’ve got!

* Don’t tolerate bad behaviour. Guys respect women with whom they can’t get away with anything. If he knows there are consequences for his actions (like getting kicked to the curb for cheating) he’ll have a lot more respect for you, and of course isn’t likely to commit the crime. Married or attached men are out of bounds as they are likely to repeat the treatment. Of course verbal and physical abuse should not be tolerated under any circumstances.

* Choosing the right type of guy. There are many definitions of a good man, but he should be honest, dependable and supportive. He has to treat you right, and stick to his word. Chivalry is not dead, just somewhat difficult to find these days. Manners and politeness can give a good indication of how your man was brought up and how he is likely to treat you. Spending habits of both partners should also be reviewed as money is the number one argument topic for couples.

* Understanding the importance of love. Being in love can mean many different things to many different people. But generally, it should be a feeling of security and comfort, and a future together. Caring about someone’s feelings as much as you care about your own. And a wonderful feeling of well-being and happiness.

For a start, a lot of women are now looking for a ‘booty call’, once purely the domain of men. But we are asserting ourselves, and looking out for number one for a change. We have realized that if we don’t want all the crap that comes with looking after a man and his ego, we’re happy to just get a bit on the side.  It all started a few years ago, when glamour women of New York started dating younger guys, nicknamed ‘toy boys’. Men have always gotten the ‘tick of approval’ when it comes to dating gorgeous younger women, and it’s about time the tables turned. The growing acceptance of older women dating younger men may have something to do with the rising status of women in today’s society.

Many women are now completely independent of men, and so we are slowly starting to advance on men’s terrain. For years it has been more socially acceptable for older men to hook up with younger women but not vice versa. Well it seems things are finally starting to change with the improvement in gender equality. So women are realizing that they don’t need men that are older, have more life experience and are more financially stable, like they traditionally did. If a woman has all these attributes herself, well, what does she need a man for? That’s where the purity of love comes in, regardless of what a man earns or where he’s at in life. You could learn to love in the simplest form, without unnecessary complications.

This is where women have learnt to fall in love with the toy boys, and things that used to matter, such as financial status of the men, have either taken a back seat or been thrown out of the car altogether. Celebrity couples such as Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, Madonna and Guy Ritchie, and Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have all paved the way for the acceptance of younger male lovers. These kinds of relationships simply weren’t feasible in the past, as women needed the men to earn the bread and help them move out of the family home. Therefore it simply wasn’t practical to be with a younger man as they couldn’t provide for the needs of their women.

Thankfully nowadays women are earning money and respect in their own right and should be rewarded accordingly! Haven’t women always looked after the men anyway?? It would be very liberating to break down the walls of societal condemnation and accept the love of a young soul. So the next time you are confronted with a situation where you are approached by a younger man, take the plunge and you may find you are pleasantly surprised. After all, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities not limited by parameters such as age.