Some couples celebrate anniversaries while they are dating.  There seem to be a lot of variations in these anniversaries and I have no idea what the right answers are for determining these.  How often do you celebrate?  It could be every week, month, year?  And even more importantly, how do you decide on your official day to celebrate?  Is it the first meeting, date, kiss, night you slept together, or day you decided to be exclusive?

There are are really so many possible answers to all of these questions and infinite options.  It all seems to be very personalized for each couple.  Everyone has a little story about the day that they pick as their anniversary and they get to tell the story everytime they celebrate on their special day (so let’s hope that it’s more interesting than “the night we sealed the deal”).

So I’ve come to my decision about what I think about dating anniversaries:  they are a day to put aside to celebrate the romance in a relationship.

It is not official like a wedding anniversary, so there is no need to worry about cards or gifts for other people.  The dating anniversary is completely insular to the couple.  It is a day that couples program to fit what they agree upon in their relationship and they come together for a specific moment of romance.

If this is not something that you need or are looking for in a relationship, then you will probably find that you are one of the couples who doesn’t celebrate dating anniversaries.  If you are looking to add a little romance reminder into your dating relationship, then this is a great place to find it.

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Celebrate Dating Anniversaries?

Etiquette is not something that should rule your life…Remember Countess Luann De Lesseps from Real Housewives of New York?  Now she took it too far.  But I do believe that there is a place for etiquette in relationships and you just need to find where that is.

Again, I strongly believe that etiquette lends its support when you find yourself in awkward situations.  Here are Dr. Phil’s Seven Keys to Dating Etiquette:

1.  Dress the part. Don’t dress too sexy.

2.  Be on time or your date might wonder, “What was more important than getting here on time?”

3.  Mind your table manners — and if you don’t have any, get some!

4.  Focus 100 percent on your date. Turn off your cell phone and other messaging devices.

5.  Check your emotional baggage at the door. Don’t go burdening your date with all of your problems.

6.  Sweat the small stuff. Listen to what your prospective mate has to say.

7.  Follow up. Do something that let’s your date know, “Hey, that was a lot of fun.”

Post from: Blisstree

Dating Etiquette Tips from Dr. Phil

We chatted with Lisa Chase Patterson, she’s a Life Coach with more than twenty years experience with Relationships, Sexuality, Friendship, and Family Issues, and is a top Relationship Expert on JustAnswer.com – and she gave us some great tips!

1. The ‘exes’. It’s interesting to know how terrible the last guy/girl was, if for nothing else you can be sure not to repeat the same mistakes…but it’s so boring and so cliché and if you’re talking about your ex it probably means you’re not over them and shouldn’t be on a date anyway.

2. How much the other person reminds you of one of your parents

3. Your sex life (past or present) no matter how much a guy says he can ‘handle it’, believe me, he can’t.

4. How much you are in love with them or can’t stop thinking about them (whoa Nelly!)

5. You, you, you, you. If the only thing you can talk about is yourself, you’ll only be showing how shallow you are.

Image: Sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

What Not to Say

Here’s what she had to say……

During the first date, don’t talk too much about your cat, or the fact that you live alone. You don’t want to sound like some kind of cat-lady weirdo.

Don’t talk too much about previous relationships, because that makes you sound like you are thinking too much about your old boyfriend/girlfriend.

Don’t say anything about your body in a bad way. Don’t say, “Oh I hate the way my butt is shaped.” It makes it seem like you don’t like yourself.

When you’ve been dating someone a long time, try not to yell too much.

On the first date, don’t ask right away for a kiss. Wait for a good time to kiss them.

To sum it up, don’t tell it all on the first date, present yourself with confidence, be polite, and don’t rush.

Post from: Blisstree

More Dating Advice From Sarah

My friend, Jackie, went on a lunch date the other day and while she did not spark with the guy, she did say that he was nice and someone she’d want for a friend.  She said that he seemed my type. For some reason, this really caught my interest. I guess it’s because I trust Jackie, she has a great built-in BS detector and if this guy did not set it off, he’s probably okay. Now she is trying to decide how to approach him with the idea of maybe meeting me. (I nagged her a little).  She only went on the one date with him, maybe it’s not appropriate….. I don’t know. What do you readers think? 

I like to meet new people, but when it comes to dating new people, I get very nervous. Nervous is not the greatest frame of mind to be in when meeting a new man for the first time, but if it wasn’t the first time, I wouldn’t be so nervous. Right?  One of those Catch 22s for sure.

With that in mind, the first date jitters, I decided to take on The Snarkstress’s Challenge and update my look. 

First I purchased a couple of cute, casual, but stylish tops - this is one of them ……………..

click here to see the other one, then I read over this list of First Date Beauty Tips, that Shannon, of Makeup Minute has gathered.

Thanks for the help, ladies!  I was really in need of an update.

What do you do to get ready for a first date? What do you think of my two First Date top choices?

Image credit: Forever 21.com

Post from: Blisstree

Challenging Myself To Overcome the First Date Jitters

1. “I used to be addicted to (insert drug or “bad thing to be addicted to” here), but I’m okay now.” Fellow Dating Dames blogger Michelle let me in on this one. She went on a first date once and the guy actually told her that he had been addicted to crystal meth, but had been sober for a year and living in a rehab facility. I totally appreciate the honesty, but if you’re going to be this honest, this up front (ie. the first date instead of the second or third) then you have to understand that it’s going to be really difficult to get that second date.
2. “I live with five roommates because my job sucks and doesn’t pay well.” Sure, we’re ALL feeling financial crunches these days. Telling me that you live with five other people automatically tells me that you’re trying to live within your means and/or save money, and that’s actually a good quality. End things there. I don’t need to know right now that you’re broke, though. I feel guilty enough when you won’t let me pay my half of the date after I’d ordered the third most expensive meal because I like the way it tastes. (Thanks, feminists.) I also don’t want to hear that you’re miserable in your job, because well, I happen to love mine, and I don’t want to rub your face in it. Most women don’t like miserable guys. Most people don’t like miserable people. Dating is hard enough, don’t make it worse by being a “Negative Ned or Nancy”.
3. “My ex was really high maintenance. She always wanted me to buy her flowers and jewelry and take her out to eat once a week or more.” Guys, I don’t care who the girl is, women love to feel spoiled. You’re going to find some women that demand it, and others who really truly appreciate it. I happen to be the latter. However you’ve just now made me aware of the fact that I will never get anything from you out of the kindness of your heart, but rather because you feel I’m high maintenance. You just came off as a cheap bastard, when I’d actually have been really thrilled if you’d just picked a daisy up off a grassy median and handed it to me.
4. “So, I’m really into high heels on a woman. I mean, REALLY into it.” Um, yeah, you just totally freaked me out. I don’t wear heels much, and while I’m sure open to “safe” fetishes and stuff, it’s nothing I want to talk about with you now. I actually was talking to a guy online and I don’t know why the conversation lasted more than a few minutes into things after he mentioned this to me, but he got to talking about wanting to see me “stomp a bug” and how hot he thought it would be, and I was just freaked out enough to be done with it. Keep your fetishes to yourself until you’ve gotten to that point in the relationship where you’re at least talking about “doing it” together.
5. “I’m really looking for an “open” relationship. I don’t want to be tied down to anyone.” Newsflash guys, then you shouldn’t really be out on a date with someone unless you’ve already covered this and she’s into one-nighters like you are. Most women who go on a date ARE looking for something serious at some point. Most women don’t like to be tied to a guy who’s not tied to them. Sure, there are exclusions, but they’re probably hanging out at the bar at 2am falling out of their chair or slumped in a corner somewhere. In fact, this date’s over, so why don’t you head on over there and pick one up for yourself.
6. “I’m getting old and I want to hurry up and settle down and have kids before it’s too late.” I think I can almost be somewhat guilty of this myself, however I kind of make it clear before the date ever happens (like in chats or emails) that I’m interested in this. I just tend to want to “get it all out there and up front” because if the guy is anything like guy #5 up there, he and I just shouldn’t waste our time together. But that being said, saying this too soon can often put an air of desperation on that is quite unflattering. If it comes up in natural conversation, and it makes sense to talk about this as a long-term goal, then fine. But “Hi, nice to meet you,” should not be followed with this sentence or any part of it.
7. “I’m voting for __________ in the election this November, because _________.” I love debating, I really do. But talking politics too soon can give your date the wrong idea. Can a Republican and a Democrat have a healthy relationship? Sure. But each party has preconceived notions of the other party’s beliefs, and it would take just too much explaining to get it fixed on a first date. Stick to sports, music, games, entertainment… at least until you’re both on the phone and there’s a debate on the television.

What other things can you add to this list? What are some of the worst topics or discussions you’ve had brought up on a first date? First dates only, please… have at it in the comments.

Post from: Blisstree

7 Things Men (or Anyone, Really) Should Never Say On A First Date

Alright. I sound like some bitter, heartbroken, sour-graping woman [there's a certain likelihood that I most probably am] but hear me out for a second. What would you do in my place if something like this happens to you?

Let me paint a somewhat clear picture for you. Fine. It’s going to be one of my “vague” scenarios but, hey, it’s an almost true story!

The guy you like finally declares his fondness of you but the thing is you’ve been real good friends for a bit now, so, it’s a little tricky to take a different route than that. [I know you guys know what I'm talking about.]

So, he asks you out on a real date. [It literally made my heart jump a little.]

Imagine yourself looking forward to it and wondering what’ll happen next when come that day, you get a rushed phone call with him asking you to be ready in half an hour because he’s on his way to pick you up since the two of you are sharing the night with another couple.

Oh, joy.

The night ends with him dropping you off first after spending almost half the night talking about business and work and the other half with how tired everyone is feeling, of course, a dose of conversation with the other couple. In short, no quality time together.

After that, you hardly heard from him again. Ouch.

Sweet, eh? The most romantic date I’ve ever been on in my entire life! [Please note the sarcasm.]

I’m sure you guys might be thinking, “Get a clue, girl. He’s just not that into you!” Believe me. I’ve already told myself that, like, a hundred times. LOL.

Anyway, I’ve been beating myself up the past couple of days just analysing what had happened. Trying to figure out what he’s thinking and piecing it together with what he had told me. I’ve heard some people say that it’s best to just drop it and focus on work, and others had advised me to give him the benefit of the doubt, he just may have a good reason for acting this way but I can’t help but be affected by all of it. Hell, it’s simply because I like the guy.

So, sod it. I reckon I should just join Gayla when she goes out shopping. I think I’m quite good with that. Teehee.

Post from: Blisstree

What Would You Do: First Date turned Double Date

Active. You have boundless energy and get bored with a lapse in conversation – you’re not just the life of the party – you ARE the party. Extreme sports are your preference, and no doorman has ever kept you behind the velvet rope. Your perfect mate will go bungee-jumping by day and rave with you all night long. You don’t work for the man; you are the man. “No rules, no boundaries” is your mantra.

Quiet Intellectual. You prefer a good book to a loud club but thrive on a good, heated debate. Your perfect mate will discuss Sartre and socialism until the sun comes up and shares your admiration for Einstein and Warhol. When you watch TV, it’s either PBS or “Jeopardy!”. You prefer coffee to cocktails, and you kick ass at Scrabble. You know the best jazz clubs and independent bookstores. The unexamined life is not worth living.

Executive. You’re a busy corporate type who appreciates the finer things in life. The best restaurant’s maítre d’ knows you by name, you own a Chagall, and you have season tickets to both the ballet and your beloved basketball team. Your perfect A-type mate owns a Palm Pilot, has the perfect portfolio, works out as much as you do, and loves to share a bottle of fine wine with you after a long day at work. Greed is good.

Outdoors. Your four-wheel drive is never clean. Your dogs have been your roommates and best friends since you left school. You like to hike, bike and camp, and your backpack is perpetually packed. Your special someone prefers Birkenstocks and hiking boots and thinks sunscreen is for wimps. Beer, beans and barbecue is your ideal meal. Your timeshare is a pup tent.

I must be a stranger bird then I’d thought!  I honestly don’t fit into any of those categories listed above. 

Let’s say it’s a first date that I’m going on.  I have always been one that would rather keep it simple and inexpensive.  The more elaborate the date is, the more beholding I feel to the date and I know lots of other women that feel that way.

Men never had to swoon me with fancy carriage rides or menu’s that don’t list the prices (because the prices are longer than the meal description) – A simple coffee date and hanging out on a picnic table at the park just to talk for about an hour or so was perfect.

That was just enough time to let me figure out if there was a second date to look forward to.

So there you have it!  When it comes to a first date folks – Remember the K.I.S.S.  Keep It Simple Stupid

Post from: Blisstree

What’s your dating personality?

Getting on with the list then — I’d agree to go out on a second date with a guy if:

1. I’m attracted to him.
2. I was impressed with how he planned that first date.
3. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.
4. We’ve got significant things in common.
5. He made me laugh.
6. He was polite and courteous.
7. I felt comfortable with him.
8. He’s a good kisser.
9. He asked me nicely.
10. There was a spark!

Okay. So, #8 may or may not have happened on the first date, but I simply have got to include it in my list cuz what if it did happen and he was good? But, of course, that’s not the only consideration, silly. There are 9 more points in the list, remember? Teehee.

And #9 is simply common sense. How can I possibly go out with someone who wouldn’t ask me out? Tell me. Tell me! Heehee.

What about you guys? What are the things you consider before you agree to go out on that second date? Care to share?

Photo courtesy of azcentral.com

Post from: Blisstree

10 things that can guarantee a 2nd Date

Who would be willing to take a little stroll down memory lane and share the tales of their first date EVER?  What about that first kiss?  Did you feel like a fumbling idiot or an experienced pro?  What about your date?  How were they?

Post from: Blisstree

A Stroll Down Memory Lane