Date or no date?

I have just stumbled upon this draft of a blog i meant to submit a few weeks ago, after reading through it i am still none the wiser about dating as a whole.

Thursday night at 9 and I'm watching First Dates on Channel 4.
I have been fascinated by this show since it started. About how people deal with first date nerves, small talk and awkward silences (of which there seem to be many)
The idea behind the show is that the initial 'couples' applied on line and from then on, throughout the week, members of the public can apply via the website to go on a date with a particular person on the show and so on and so forth as the weeks go on. A subtle reality dating show perhaps? This also translates as an interesting social experiment into showing the dating habits and personality traits that we find attractive or not. Although i am currently puzzled by the couple right now who are taking it in turns to say the guy's name - Hank. Hmmmm, Struggling for conversation??
In full honesty it is a clear way of highlighting that some people just aren't compatible but too many relationships are lived out over the cybersphere, in a world of emoticons and lol's. When it comes to a traditional 'date' have we completely forgotten how to act?? Or do we even go on traditional first dates anymore??

http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2011/07/woman-on-bad-date.jpg

 Speaking from experience, i have been on one 'official' first date. All i will say is that first impressions mean everything and this person's red velvet attire didn't impress me in the slightest! It still makes me cringe to this day!
I had been chatting to the person by text for a few days and seemed to get on OK but then the red suit put me off. Is it shallow of me to base the rest of the evening's enjoyment on that one first look i had of him in that hideous suit??

 On the show, all the women came up dressed to the nines while the men looked much more casual and to be honest in most cases, the women seemed to flow through the conversations whist the men stumbled and stutter.  
Do we put too much pressure on ourselves when getting ready for a date over what we wear, what we need to say, how we put ourselves across because we no longer have a computer screen to hide behind?? or a couple of minutes to think of a witty/flirtatious reply to a text/e-mail

Perhaps i should set myself a little social experiment of my own and go out on a 'first date'

Quotation Inspiration

Just thought I would share some tumblr posters that I just love! All of them make me smile!

Valentines for the single girl!

 As the 14th February approaches us yet again, why should it should only be the twosomes that get all the fun?? As a single lady, i believe valentines days is perfect for a "me day" and it doesn't always have to be spent with the usual 2 gentlemen - Ben and Jerry. I am not bitter in the slightest about my first Valentines day as a single lady, in fact i can't wait!

One thing that i have found with Valentines day is that we put so much effort in to making the day perfect and worrying about the idea that something could go wrong that we really don't have time to relax and cherish every second as we should on the day of lurve! Spontaneity really is the key and if you are anything like me,the one thing i treasure about my single life is my freedom to do what i want when i want it! 
So this year why not spend the day treating yourself without the worry of receiving any cheap and tacky gifts! Valentines day is all about a celebration of love?? Who else better to lavish attention on, than yourself. 

While i can't promise that you won't bump in to loved up couple or 2 throughout the day, here are a few ideas to spend and enjoy this valentines day: 


1. Love the ones you're with.

Why not get the girls together and head out! Retail therapy is always the top of my list. Being with the people you love the most will always brighten your day. Spend the time doing something you love; Shopping, spa, cocktails etc As long as your day is full of laughter, smiles, gossip and making new memories what could be a better. Just step away from the Adele and Taylor Swift Cd's.
 Just make a pact of no mentions of an ex!

 2. Blooming brilliant. 
Who says that you should only get flowers as a gift on on Valentines day! While out on your lunch break, on your way home, why not treat yourself to your favourite flowers. I always love getting flowers and i admit to being really traditional when it comes wanting a dozen red roses waiting on my bed side on valentines day morning but why go without. 
Even better! Spread the love to your friends! Surprise them with a special delivery at work or waiting for them when they get home! Smile guaranteed all round!

3. Movie Marathon
Feeling like having a DVD marathon then why not spend the night in with Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Ewan Mcgregor or Bradley Cooper. If you want to go for romantic, just be sure you keep the film quite light, maybe not the best time for The Notebook and a box of tissues. Try something like Love Actually, a film that i think has the power to restore belief in REAL relationships. Love isn't always like it is in the movies.
There are of course the favourite girls to spend an evening with: Those fabulous sex and the city girls.
My favourite film of all time is Moulin Rouge so i fully intend on spending my valentines evening listening to Ewan Mcgregor singing 'Come What May' *sigh* 

4. Escapism
Start the day with a brand new book and try and get through it all in one day. Getting lost in a good book is the best kind of escapism from the real world. Whether you spend the day in the company of Mr Darcy, Christian Grey or Romeo and Juliet just let go and lose yourself!





 5. Start something new
Without sounding too much like Beyonce throughout this blog post, Valentines day could be the start of something fabulous for all you single ladies! Take up a new hobby, join a fitness class, sign up for a new course, do the one thing you have been meaning to do for so long but you have always had to put to one side! This is YOUR day!!

6. Head to the Gym
OK, so this might not sound like the most fun filled way to spend valentines day but a workout will get those endorphins flowing and put you on a natural high. It is well know that gyms are a fabulous place to meet new people so why not put on your biggest smile and flirt like there is no tomorrow =)


Whether you are spending this valentines day with your favourite people or even having a well deserved you day. I wish you all the love and happiness in the world! Happy Valentines day!!