Even though her actual birthday is February 11, Jennifer Aniston is planning a big 40th birthday bash at her new Beverly Hills home on February 7, with pals Sheryl Crow and Courteney Cox among the guests.

The reason for the early festivities? According to an insider, right after the party, Jen plans to take off on a romantic getaway — which will last through Valentine’s Day — with boyfriend John Mayer. And with John by her side, 40 may be her best year yet.

When asked about her upcoming milestone, Jen recently told France’s Closer magazine, “Everyone’s been asking me if I worry about being nearly 40, but no, not really. These days I’m a lot more serene and I’m ready to embrace a new decade.”

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Jennifer Aniston is top dog at the box office.

Her flick, Marley & Me, earned $24.1 million over the weekend, making it No. 1 for the second week in a row.

The doggy drama, which set a Christmas Day opening record, has made $106.5 million so far.

Adam Sandler’s Bedtime Stories came in second spot, earning $20.3 million.

Brad Pitt’s drama, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, landed in third place this weekend with $18.4 million.

Rounding out the top five were Tom Cruise’s World War II saga, Valkyrie, which made $14 million, and Jim Carrey’s comedy, Yes Man with $13.9 million.

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Jennifer Aniston plans to toast the New Year with some old friends in Mexico – and it looks like she won’t have to travel far for a New Year’s Eve kiss.

The star of the Christmas box office record holder Marley & Me arrived in Los Cabos over the weekend where she plans to spend the holiday with Courteney Cox Arquette, her husband David and their daughter Coco.

Aniston’s boyfriend John Mayer, who had a cozy post-Christmas dinner with Aniston at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills on Dec. 26, flew to popular Mexican resort town with his brothers on Saturday. He plans to stay there through the New Year, according to sources.

While the couple appear to be staying in separate residences, their places are just a short drive away – and are connected by a private beach perfect for long walks at sunset.

Aniston is making a tradition of spending the holidays with the Arquettes, having spent a festive night out with them at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills on Christmas Eve.

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Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony may have renewed their wedding vows a mere three months ago, but their rocky romance will likely bite the dust right after Valentine’s Day, says an insider.

“Marc and Jennifer are planning on announcing their divorce right after Marc’s show at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 14,” a friend of the couple tells us. “Jennifer is planning on joining Marc onstage for a surprise duet. Things haven’t been right for a while now, and they thought it would be a bittersweet farewell.”

Definitely one for theatrics in arenas, J.Lo confessed her pregnancy at a sold-out show in Miami during her El Cantante tour in November 2007 and will employ the same shock value a second time around.

“They’re definitely planning a clean break in February,” the source insists.

The couple, who have been married just over four years and are the parents of 10-month-old twins Max and Esme, renewed their vows in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony back in October, but sources close to the pair say that it didn’t help, and that their relationship has been on a downward spiral in recent months. Lopez, 39, set tongues wagging when she arrived at “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” premiere in early December without her wedding or engagement rings.

Similarly, Marc, 40, has been spotted ditching his own wedding band at N.Y.C. hot spots such as Bungalow 8. He was also caught partying — bandless — with pal Eva Longoria Parker at Lavo in Las Vegas on Dec. 8.

“They were there along with Russell Crowe and his brother Bigram [Zayas]. Marc had been needing to blow off some steam for a while, and this was a good chance to do it. He was trying to be on his best behavior because there were photographers around, so he didn’t get too crazy, but he had fun without Jennifer,” a spy tells us. “Marc’s ready to move on. The fighting has been too much for him to handle lately.”

A rep for Anthony would only say that “none of the rumors are true”; a rep for Lopez didn’t respond.
Unfortunately for Jenny from the Block, this is one unfunny Valentine.

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For the sixth year in a row, Jennifer Aniston joined Courteney Cox, David Arquette and their 4-year-old daughter Coco for Christmas dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, CA.

Happiest to see Aniston was Coco, who greeted her godmother with a big kiss as soon as she sat down.

While waiting for their main course, Aniston and Cox went around to each person at the candelit table, leaning down to catch up.

Meanwhile, Aniston didn’t use the holiday as an excuse to fall off her diet. The Marley & Me star, who sat between Cox and her other BFF, hairstylist Chris McMillan skipped the bread basket and and kept it healthy, opting for white wine, asparagus, and lemon sole.

“She was going to order the petit filet but changed her mind,” a source told Usmagazine.com.

Later in evening, Cox got up to carry a barefoot Coco to the bathroom.

“The Grinch cut off her circulation and she had to take her shoes off,” Cox joked to people on the line – explaining that her daughter had buckled her shoes too tight and that’s why she took them off.

Also sharing Christmas eve dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse? Pregnant How I Met Your Mother star Alyson Hannigan and her husband Alexis Denisof.

As for Cox and Aniston’s friendship, Cox said recently, “We never judge each other, we support each other, but we’re honest with each other too. I feel lucky to have her. Jen and I grew up together emotionally. We’ve been through huge life changes together.”

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Jennifer Aniston’s doggy drama Marley & Me beat out Brad Pitt’s fantasy flick The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the box office on Christmas Day Variety reported.

According to preliminary box office numbers, Marley & Me opened at No. 1 with $14.6 million in ticket sales – (making it the best opening ever for Dec. 25) while Pitt’s film set the record for the second-highest Christmas opening of all-time grossing $11.8 million.

Coming in third was Adam Sandler’s Bedtime Stories which raked in $10.4 million in sales, followed by Valkyrie starring Tom Cruise with $8.5 million.

Aniston wished Pitt success during her appearance on The Oprah Winfey show in November.

“We all want our movie to do well…Can we have a tie?” Aniston joked.

And though Aniston is leading in ticket sales – don’t feel sorry for Pitt.

He is up for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama for his role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and scored Screen Actors Guild Award nod this month.

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A new Beverly Hills home, a new man (musician John Mayer, 31) and her first new movie in more than two years, “Marley & Me”: There is no doubt that for Jennifer Aniston, 2008 has been a year of ringing in the new.

The actress, who has another big milestone in 2009 — she turns 40 on Feb 11 — spoke with People’s Julie Jordan to answer your questions.

Q: How did your dogs [Norman and Dolly] react to your Marley co-stars? Was there any intense jealousy? — Misti Bell, Bridge City, Texas

A: Oh, play it for me, Misti! Dolly didn’t travel to Miami because she is too young at 2½, and to put her in a trailer didn’t seem fair. All Norman wants to do is just lie at my feet, which is what I like. [The trainers] were strict about letting the Marleys play with other dogs. But there was no jealousy because Norman is very secure. Norman is now 13, but even back [as a puppy] he was as cool as a cucumber. He’s just a person in a dog suit.

Q: What is the most important life lesson you’ve learned from your dogs? — Carla Perrotta, Detroit

A: Oh gosh, Carla, patience, I would say. Patience and that sort of unconditional love — they’re yours and especially you are theirs.

Q: Does [John Mayer] make you laugh a lot? Can you elaborate on feeling protective of him? — Jason Daniel Gonzalez, Southern California

A: Very sweet. I’m not going to bring [him] into this though. I’m protective of everybody that I love — very protective.

Q: Do you think you will remarry? — Kizzi Lewellen, Childress, Texas

A: I don’t know! I honestly don’t know. I’m not against it. Maybe [smiles]. Maybe, sure.

Q: What’s your idea of the perfect romantic evening? — Margaret Beattie, Gourock, Scotland

A: I would say going out to dinner to a lovely romantic restaurant. Romantic evenings can be packing a picnic and going to sunset on the beach. And then maybe going to see a movie. Or a walk. Or going to see music. I’m easy to please.

Q: What have you learned from dating [in the public eye]? — Amy Greene, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

A: [Laughs] That if you start to date somebody, by the third date, you can guarantee I’ll be pregnant with twins.

Q: What do you find most attractive in a man? — Rachel Mick, Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

A: Consistency and kindness. And humour. Let me think about that [pauses]. I would say sense of humour is the most attractive — for me that’s my No. 1, and kindness is a real close runner-up.

Q: Are you looking forward to turning 40? — Marisa Grill, Cleveland

A: I’m very excited. I had more of a panic going into 30. I think you realise that it just gets better. When they say youth is wasted on the young, it’s so true. Oh my God, what I wish I’d known when I was 30!

Q: If you weren’t an actress, what job would you like to have? — Jill Domin, Horsham, Pennsylvania

A: Either a doctor or a therapist. I’m obsessed with surgery and doctors. My dad [actor John Aniston] was going to be a doctor for a period, and we’d watch medical shows. As for therapy, I was always the friend people came to: “Can I talk to you about something?” I really enjoyed that.

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