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If you are looking to be in a relationship, it is important that you stop paying attention to this myth that it is difficult to find the right person.  Your mindset impacts your life largely and if you never stop thinking that dating is not for your generation, you might never find your Mr. or Mrs. Right.  If you want a satisfying relationship, you can find one by making a few changes in your life.  Here are four things that we’ve found to be really effective in getting asked out by multiple people:

1.  Be the Person You Want to Date:

It goes that you should become the change you want to see in the world.  The same applies when you are looking for a date.  If you want to be asked out by a compatible person, make sure that you will make for a compatible partner as well.  The more you go out, the more chances you will have of being asked out.  If you are someone who enjoys concerts, attend more and more concerts.  If you are someone who enjoys cooking, it will not hurt you to join a cooking class.  Turn yourself into the kind of person you find interesting and do things that you have dreamt of doing with your date.  Stop looking at couples you find interesting and thinking that if you had a partner you would do these things they do too.  Do them on your own and stop waiting for someone else to go out and live your life.  You can also use Online Dating Apps which let you add your interests and soon you can find someone who has the same interests as you. 

2.  Be Open to New Experiences:

I have realized that many people like to believe that there is a particular type of person they want to be with.  They wait forever to meet the ‘right’ one and limit their opportunities to really meet the right person for them.  It is good to have preferences, but makes sure that you allow yourself to look outside of the box.  For example, If you find someone nice, but he doesn’t meet your criteria of a perfect boyfriend, go out with them once.  You never know when you might end up changing your criteria for the ‘right’ one.  If you think that you will find your prince charming in a charming place too, you are wrong.  Don’t block your opportunities out by believing in such theories.  You might end up meeting your prince in the bar around the corner only if you let yourself be open to new opportunities.  Love will come to you if you let it. 

3.  Join the Dating Game:

It is important that you go out with new people every once in a while.  Even if the connection fails in the end, at the end of the day you will feel happy that you let yourself have a good time.  You can use online dating sites to meet someone you find interesting or someone you met at a coffee shop.  These dates do not have to be conventionally perfect, but don’t let your dating life go stale by telling yourself that you will only go out with your ‘true love’.  How are you supposed to find that love if you are not letting people in every once in a while.  Be open to new opportunities and say yes from time to time. 

4.  Invite Them:

Listen up ladies.  It is alright if you are a fan of old-fashioned chivalry, where a man asks the girl out first.  But it is important that sometimes you initiate a start to a new beginning.  If you find someone interesting, reach out to them.  It does not mean that you have to ask your potential boyfriend out for a coffee, but let him know that you are interested.  Making eye contact and smiling are two tricks that always work.  Chances are, he might end up asking you out or asking for your number.  Be welcoming and open when it comes to dating.  If you fail to do such, you can always use a dating app to invite men. 

You have just signed up for an online dating site.  What next?  It’s time to create your online dating profile.  When you are creating a profile for yourself through an online dating mobile app, you’re likely trying to put your best foot forward in order to impress potential matches.  It’s important to make sure your profile is not only a direct reflection of you, but that it’s put together in an appealing way.  You probably wouldn’t be attracted to someone who has a profile that’s filled with a bunch of spelling mistakes and poor language, right?  Well, neither would anyone else. 

Here are a few helpful tips and tricks you can use to make your perfect online dating profile. 

Spelling and Grammar: First, make sure your spelling and grammar are up to par.  Everything doesn’t have to be 100% perfect, as though you’re writing a paper for school, but if you can’t put together a proper sentence without a dozen errors, people are going to notice, and think you were too lazy to put a lot of time and effort into your profile.  Stand out from the crowd by having a professional-looking profile when it comes to your grammar. 

Describing Yourself Honestly: Don’t be afraid to be honest about yourself, even in specific ways – that’s what makes you stand out from everyone else.  If you’re honest and open upfront, by the time you actually go on a date with someone, there will be less pressure and awkwardness, because they’ll already know about you.  That being said, it’s easy for us to sometimes focus on our flaws.  This can be done in a sort of ‘joking’ manner, and it’s never a bad idea to humble yourself, but don’t go overboard when talking about your flaws on your profile.  On the same note, try not to list off things you don’t like about other people (smokers, people with pets, etc.).  While you may not like those things, you’re automatically eliminating a lot of people from your potential search. 

Likes and Dislikes: List what you like and what you dislike instead writing “I hate liars, I hate cheaters and I hate smokers”.  This will turn off most potential dates of yours.  It okay to dislike all that stuff but you have to write positively for both of your likes and dislikes. 

Choose Profile Photo Wisely: One of the biggest and most important things you can do to get started with your online dating profile is to choose a profile picture that truly captures who you are, and how you want others to see you.  It’s the first thing they will see, and many times, a good profile picture will determine whether or not someone will continue reading the rest of your information or not.  So, be sure to choose something that shows who you are as an individual, features your best qualities, and shows off a bit of your personality.  Consider your profile picture to be the first informal introduction to your next potential date! 

Online dating doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you’re setting up a profile for the first time.  Follow these simple rules and tips, and in no time, you’ll have put together the perfect profile that reflects who you are, and caters to the type of people you’d want to date.  Good luck! 

If you recently went through a nasty break-up and seriously considered picking up a baseball bat with the words “Hot Sauce” on the side and a canary yellow dress to dance through the neighborhood in, this list was made for you.  Unfortunately, Beyonce’s Lemonade was just a music video, and it’s not actually acceptable to walk down the street smashing random car windows (bummer, I know).  But truthfully, when it comes down to it, getting revenge on your ex is actually a bit of a science; you want to make them feel like you won at life, and sometimes playing the part of the scorned lover does the exact opposite.  And while “lemonading” à la Beyonce is always a tempting and sort of natural response, there are way better things to do that don’t involve destroying private property and getting arrested.  So forget the glitter bombs, forget the cardboard dick you can ship to your ex for $9.99 with the message of your choice (still pretty cool ideas, to be honest)…here are 4 better ways to get revenge on your ex that’ll make you a better person in the long run! 

1.  Make new friends! 

Or hang out with the ones you already have, especially if you sort of neglected them when you were in relationship la-la land.  We live in a culture that sometimes places more importance and value on romantic relationships than friendships, but some friendships will last longer and be more unconditional than any romantic relationship you’ll ever have.  Repeat after me: friends are just as important as boyfriends!  Go out dancing, catch a movie…just remember why you fell in love with your friends, and let the good company de-funk you!  Nothing will make your ex more annoyed than seeing that you’re out living your life. 

2.  Work on yourself. 

Whether that means starting that workout regimen you’ve put off for a while or eating that damn chocolate cupcake you always deny yourself, do whatever is going to make you feel the happiest and like your best self.  Get that crazy haircut, buy all new makeup if you want…or just work on some other aspect of yourself, inside or outside, that you think you could improve.  The best revenge is having your ex see that you’re a better person without them! 

3.  Take a trip! 

Even if just for a day, get out of town and go see a place you’ve never seen before.  The world is huge and full of potentially amazing life experiences, and sometimes when you get cooped up and trapped in the town of your breakup, you forget that, and then you get stir crazy.  That’s when the “Lemonade” thoughts begin!  Get away for a while with some good friends and breathe some fresh, different air.  If you really want to piss off your ex, Instagram some amazing pics of the trip (but ultimately, you should be posting these pictures for yourself). 

4.  Rebound…or don’t. 

This is one thing that depends on the person.  If you feel like finding a rebound will just make you feel worse (or make you actually miss your ex…God forbid), then take some time and enjoy being single, and jump back into the dating pool when you’re ready.  But if you’re ready to get back out there already, and you’re not just forcing it to make your ex mad or jealous (although they might be, which is a side perk) then do you!  You might’ve started it all off trying to get revenge on your ex, but when all is said done, you might just find that you’ve moved on. 

In present times, no one is oblivious to the power of the internet.  From learning cooking recipes to making new friends online, there is no aspect of our lives that has been left untouched by the internet.  It is the comfort and convenience of the net that has made it so popular worldwide.  It is oh-so-convenient for everyone to sit on their easy chairs with a mug of coffee and know all that is happening around the world just at the click of a tiny button.  There is no aspect of our lives that has been left untouched by the power of the internet.  This includes our married and dating life as well. 

As of late, online dating has become a rage.  With sites like Tinder and Match, it has become very easy for people to register online to try finding the person of their dreams.  The anonymity these sites provide makes them all the more comfortable for an individual to find their prince or princess charming.  However, there are always two sides to a coin. 

While dating sites can be fun, they also prove to be a breeding ground for stalkers and psychotic criminals, who register online, mainly looking for their next vulnerable victim.  Many times innocent victims unknowingly succumb to the charm of the stalkers, hence suffering a lot in the process.  Such doings can prove to be very dangerous and even fatal at the time.  Here we have a few tips for you to avoid a stalker while visiting an online dating website:

Block anyone suspicious: The moment you get an inkling that a person is going an extra mile to charm you or is trying to become your friend by force, block him or her immediately.  Also, make sure to report the profile for the safety of others as well. 

Don’t accept request randomly: Whenever you get a friend request, don’t accept it immediately.  Make so to visit the person’s profile first.  After that, run a search on him or her on Google to verify whether the images used are real or fake.  Only after a thorough search should you accept a request, else avoid. 

Keep the chats restricted to the website only: Make sure to keep your chats restricted to the website only.  Never share your phone number or talk to mobile apps for your own safety. 

Meet in a public place: When you decide to meet the person in real, make sure to meet him or her in a crowded public place.  Never meet the person in an isolated location. 

Take a friend along: Make sure to take a friend along on your first date if you choose to date online.  Never meet a person whom you don’t know all alone for the first time. 

Do not share your address or other personal details: Make sure not to share your address or other personal details with a person.  You may repent later.  Also, make sure to never share your intimate pictures with anyone online, which he or she may use to trouble you later. 

Dating is dead and hookup culture is ruining modern romance – declares every article on the internet right now.  I, for one, can’t speak to what dating was like before a drunken hookup constituted a relationship building block.  But I do think every experience is different.  It’s true, I’ve called someone my boyfriend before we’ve ever gone on a proper date, and have gone to a stranger’s home before meeting him outside of the digital realm.  But I have also been on many a dinner date, and detailed a drink meet up, down to the arrival time, three days prior to said event.  So to this romance is dead talk, I would respond that maybe it’s not dead, it is just different. 

What I can speak to, however, with more certainty, is the ancient practice of nicknaming a romantic prospect.  My friends don’t know that I ever dated a James.  If you asked them who John is they may assume you’re referring to my landlord.  And to be honest, I myself barely remember having drinks with a Dan.  They do remember: British Boy, DJ Selfie, and Dandruff.  There was the Italian, a whole host of “current tinder flings”, and the only time I refer to Tommy by his first name is with a put-on Bostonian accent. 

And this renaming practice, I have it on good authority, is not a unique quirk of mine. “ I saw skateboarder today”, a text message from my friend read, which popped up in tandem with one from my cousin, where she referred to a certain “DJ Selfie”.  I understood exactly whom each one was referring to in mere moments.  After all, for my friend to call him Matt would be much too intimate, considering their fling consisted of one fun night, several chance run-ins, and a few unanswered text messages. 

Much akin to Carrie’s “Mr. Big”, or Miranda’s “marathon man”, nicknames are essential in the early stages of courtship, especially if you suspect feelings may soon emerge.  Perhaps, this refusal to call someone by their name is the first move in a fun game I call, “I can’t get rejected if I never try”.  Or maybe it would be better characterized as the tipping point between potential and possible, imaginary and realistic.  The first few weeks, sometimes months, with a new romantic prospect often live in a realm limited to the cover of nightfall and exclude any outside connections.  If my friends are to meet him, then I have to answer to what became of our budding affair, usually in a tear-filled conversation over wine and cigarettes.  And if they know his name, the sting of hearing it uttered over a spicy margarita can be just too much to bear when you’re still reeling from an unanswered text message. 

I understand that some people may disagree with this practice, claiming that taking away someone’s name is the ultimate in disrespectful acts.  But in today’s dating world, where prospects literally lie at your fingertips, you can’t go out there unarmed.  A crush can develop unintentionally after just a few hours of conversation, but a name?  A name is earned. 

Written By Rachel Ellison

(From Never Liked It Anyway, the number one destination for all things break-ups and bounce-back!  It’s the place to buy, sell and tell all things ex!  Sell your breakup baggage, tell your story and join the community of rock stars bouncing back better than ever! ) 

“The only person you should ever fear losing in a relationship is you yourself.” –  Miya Yamanouchi. 

So, here I am… two years out of a relationship and still single as a dollar bill.  And while I’d like to think that I am putting myself out there, I’m not.  I haven’t had the slightest crack open for a relationship to find it’s way in.  This is not because I’m horribly heart broken.  It’s not because I would prefer to have a significant income rather than a significant other.  And it’s certainly not because I have commitment issues, daddy issues or any other “issue” that can be chalked up to living the single life.  Single is not an issue, my friends.  Single life is EVERYTHING.  It’s a powerful stage to make headway in your life.  It’s a time to fully and finally (!!)  invest in you. 

I am single because I’m focusing on a whole lot of whatever the fuck I want, and none of what I don’t.  I’m working towards the dreams that make me nauseous with excitement and taking time to evaluate what I want in life with as little outside influence as possible.  And to be frank, I’m being selfish.  I’m choosing myself, by myself, for myself. 

Again, SINGLE LIFE IS EVERYTHING. 

(Until you realize it’s not). 

The truth is that what is underneath all the cheerleading for single-dom is fear.  Yep, straight up FEAR.  I’m fearful that I will lose myself in loving someone else (again).  The pattern is all too familiar. 

You know the ones.  Before their relationship, they roar with excitement for the things that make them come alive.  They are full of high hopes, big dreams and outrageous ambitions.  They push fearlessly towards their goals.  They make time for their friends, their family and their community because they want to build their life in good company.  They do spiritual work, take on new hobbies, and frequent the edges of their comfort zone to discover and reveal in the unknown.  They workout to the point of exhaustion, not to look good for anyone else, but to know that they were responsible for creating that incredible pump inside their chest all by their damn selves.  They buzz with enlightenment and insight and all the good things this world has ever given someone. 

…and then love hits. 

Love comes in and life’s ambitions take the backseat.  It’s not intentional, and it’s certainly not something that is easy to see but then suddenly the person they were before the relationship is a long-lost ideal of who they are in the relationship.  The love blinders are on and they are coated in the blanket of this new lustful existence. 

All their beautifully directed attention towards their dreams turns towards their lover… and they pause.  Time stops.  Their big lofty goals are no longer in sight.  They move from vision boards and ladies retreats to Saturday nights in, week after week, after week.  They are in love, and they have stepped away from showing up for themselves. 

And here in lies the problem. They lose themselves in loving someone else. 

They are so busy creating a life for their person that they forget to create a life for themselves.  Their ambitions take a backseat in the name of “love”.  Suddenly life doesn’t feel so uncomfortable if you never achieve those dreams… because, well, love.  Everything is better in love. 

The comfort of your lover ties you over when you’re having a bad day.  The flowers they brought home slap a band-aid over the deep restlessness you experience in life.  And with this band-aid on you can no longer see the holes you were desperately seeking to fill. 

But the reality is that those holes are still there.  They may just not be as blatantly obvious as they were when you didn’t have someone to come home to.  In single-dom you had to face those discomforts head on.  You had to work to overcome them.  You were responsible for making yourself feel better.  You, alone, by yourself.  But in love… naw.  You can push the uneasiness under the rug for a bit longer. 

It takes work to be who you really are when you’re mending two worlds together.  It can be confusing, and messy, and wildly compromising.  It can also be beautiful, and exciting and deeply intentional.  But if you don’t keep pushing to fuel your passions and dig up your holes, you will keep looking for anything else (everything else) to take their place.  Love included. 

We’ve all heard it before.  Good, healthy relationships are not about completing each other, but being two whole self actualized beings choosing to share your love with each other.  You’re not looking to the other for anything.  You already have everything you need inside of you.  You are responsible for that self-love.  They are responsible for theirs.  It’s about supporting each other in their respective dreams and wanting them to be as big and bright as they possibly can be.  That, my friends, is love in the most basic form. 

Because love is always the answer.  Love yourself (foremost), love those around you (fearlessly) and love and acknowledge the stage you are in.  Keep your intentions on being the best version of yourself you can be.  We all deserve a little (lotta) self-love to make this world a happier, healthier, more supportive place. 

Written By Emilie Talermo

(From Never Liked It Anyway, the number one destination for all things break-ups and bounce-back!  It’s the place to buy, sell and tell all things ex!  Sell your breakup baggage, tell your story and join the community of rock stars bouncing back better than ever! ) 

In the world of contemporary romance, it has become common knowledge that there isn’t one perfect solution for finding love.  The large number of dating platforms in existence today has created numerous opportunities for both men and women to find the perfect mate and, in the process, make the best possible impression on a date. 

While most singles today seem to be making use of these outlets for dates, whether it is online, singles events, speed dating or social media, there are those who feel like nothing is working to help them find love.  If you are single and have been using one or all of these vehicles for dating with no luck, it might be time to look inwards and evaluate your personal dating skills. 

Sometimes, it is hard to be able to take such a different perspective, but can often help bring new light and more understanding about how you interact with others on dates.  Becoming increasingly aware of your dating approach, demeanor, or language can make a huge difference in how successful your dates turn out.  If you are feeling less than satisfied with your dating results after trying what feels like everything to meet the right person, perhaps it is time to take a fresh look and see how you might be measuring up.  Below is some of our expert dating material assessments for you to consider and determine if you are a good date. 

Tip #1: Listen Up. 

There are a ton of distractions in the world today.  Thanks to smart phones, we have a lot going on right in the palm of our hand.  When you are on a new date, are you constantly texting or checking your phone?  Do you even realize if you are checking your phone too much?  Not only can this be a major turn off to your date, but you might also miss a lot of important information being said. 

There is a lot that people discuss when on a first date.  When meeting someone for the first time, it is important to pay attention to what the other is saying.  If you are taking the time to get to know someone, make it count by paying close attention and trying to remember what the other person said.  This will help make your date feel like you are interested in them and help you learn more about the person you are sitting across from faster. 

Tip #2: Speak up. 

As much as your date will appreciate you paying attention to what they had to say about themselves, don’t forget to compliment the conversation overall by giving your two cents and helping drive the topic train throughout your date.  If you are the kind of person that gets shy or lets others dominate the discussion, you might end up seeming standoffish.  Worse yet, if you tend to be tightlipped on first dates, you might even come off as forgettable or boring. 

Try to avoid awkward moments of silence by being inquisitive about your date and bringing up discussion topics that you might find relatable on both ends.  Use topics like sports, weather, careers, family, celebrities, favorite foods, hobbies, travel, etc.  to make conversation and get to know your date better.  Not only will this help further the conversation and keep both individuals invested in the date, but it will also help nurture and develop an emotional connection between new romantic partners. 

Tip #3: Be Polite. 

When on a first date or while getting to know someone, it is simple to forget the basics of being polite.  Something as common sense as a please or thank you could be left out at important moments when your date is just starting to formulate their opinions about you as a person.  Believe it or not, chivalry is still alive and well today.  For singles that are invested in impressing their romantic partners, courtesy and respect are two of the most important attributes they need to succeed. 

Tip #4: Look Sharp. 

First impressions play a big role in how people view each other.  If you have made dating into a common occurrence whether it’s after work or on the weekends, be sure to stay up to date with looking fresh and sexy.  With so much going on during our busy workdays, it is easy to forget to dress extra hot or do a last minute spruce-up before heading from the office out to the dating circuit. 

Sometimes dates happen at a spur of the moment.  To make sure you are always prepared to look your best, keep some grooming essentials at work, in your bag or in your car.  The investment in some extra perfume, a comb or emergency outfit will pay off! 

You might be just joining the dating scene or feel like you have been dating forever.  Regardless of where you are at in your dating career, don’t forget to stick to the basic dating tips above to ensure you are bringing your dating-A-game to every experience. 

One of the biggest steps in a relationship is when one person decides to say those three little words: No, not “I got food,” the other important words. 

Saying “I love you” catapults your relationship into a new level.  No longer are you only “in a relationship,” but now you’re in love.  Those words hold a severity that can put a lot of pressure on the parties involved. 

Once you reach the point where the L-word starts creeping into your mind, there’s a million new things that you start to stress over:

Should I say it first?  Why hasn’t he said it?  How do I know if he feels the same way? 

If your boyfriend hasn’t dropped the L-bomb yet, though it can be tempting to start questioning the sincerity of your relationship, don’t start to worry quite yet.  Words are just that—words.  They are meaningless if they’re not reinforced through your significant other’s actions. 

Even if he hasn’t said that he loves you, there are many different ways he could be showing his love for you—you just have to pay attention. 

Here are a few signs that your boyfriend does love you, he just hasn’t told you yet. 

Asking About Your Day

It may seem like common sense, but when someone loves you, they care about your well-being.  If your boyfriend, completely unprompted, takes the time to ask you about your day, that’s a good indication that he cares about you. 

But not just that. 

It’s important that you distinguish between him asking for the sake of conversation and him asking because he genuinely wants to hear the response.  If your boyfriend is really falling in love with you, he will listen as you complain about what your coworker said at work, or that project that you need to finish, or what drama is happening between your girlfriends this week. 

Maybe he’s not saying “I love you,” but he is saying: I’m invested in this conversation and I’m invested in this relationship.  I’m here for the long haul. 

Remembering the Little Things

You most likely spend a lot of time talking to your significant other, and, in that time, you share a plethora of details: your favorite ice cream flavor, what you’re looking forward to, what your scared of, etc.  You may think all that information goes in one ear and out the other, but your boyfriend remembering all the quirky little things about you is a sure sign that he’s feeling the love. 

Maybe he calls you right after your big meeting because he remembered the time and that you were anxious about it.  Maybe he instinctively grabs your hand during the part of a movie that he knows scared you.  It could be as simple as him sending you a picture of something that he knew would make you laugh. 

As cliché as it sounds, it’s the little things that count the most. 

Maybe he’s not saying “I love you,” but he is saying: I’m paying attention to you and what makes you happy. 

Making Sure You Get Home Safe

Like I said earlier, if he loves you, he cares about your well-being.  This means making sure that you are always safe and taken care of. 

Just a simple text of “let me know when you get home,” or “did you get home safe?”  is a small gesture of love.  Your boyfriend can’t always be with you, so taking the time to check in on you shows how much effort he’s putting into your relationship and how much he cares about you. 

Similarly, if he checks in to ask if you’ve eaten or if you’ve taken your medicine, he’s making an effort to take care of you. 

Maybe he’s not saying “I love you,” but he is saying: I worry about you and want to make sure you’re safe. 

Letting You into His Life

While him listening to you talk about your day can be a sign of his love, telling you about his day can also be a big indicator.  If he calls you just to unload some stress from work or tell you a joke he overheard, he’s opening up his life to you and he wants you to be a part of it. 

Maybe he lets you in on secrets or starts to open up about his family.  Whenever he allows himself to be vulnerable or to let down some of his defenses, he’s showing you that you’re the person he can be himself around. 

Maybe he’s not saying “I love you,” but he is saying: I trust you and feel comfortable enough to tell you anything. 

Introducing You to His Friends and Family

To me, this is one of the surest signs that he’s falling in love.  This is a huge step in merging your lives together and it can, sometimes, be a make-or-break moment. 

If he proudly introduces you to his friends and family, he wants everyone he’s closest to to care about you as much as he does.  Put simply, he sees a future with you.  If a guy is still unsure of his feelings, he’ll try to keep your relationship quiet.  Telling everyone he knows is a big commitment; if you break up, that’s a lot of people who are going to have questions. 

Maybe he’s not saying “I love you,” but he is saying: I’m proud that you’re mine and I want everyone to know it. 

You’ve done the legwork, you’ve flirted and you’ve finally convinced him to pop around for a home-cooked dinner.  You don’t feel that your mom’s recipe for ‘macaroni and cheese’ will do the trick, so you plan to prepare something that is sure to bowl him over.  However, you have no idea what it is that you want to cook…

He fell for your beautiful, soft skin, the way you laugh and the way in which you tuck your hair behind your ears.  You loved the way he looked at you and how he gently held your hand.  You’ve moved past the giddiness of a first date and would like to do something special, for just the two of you.  You’ve decided on a romantic dinner that is rich in flavor, but light enough to ensure that there is plenty of time for meaningful conversation, dancing in the moonlight and maybe even a dizzy make-out session on your sofa.  If you’re still searching for meal ideas, look no further!  Here are a few that you’re both bound to love:

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail with Bruschetta

Simple to prepare, light and refreshing, pomegranate champagne cocktails only require three ingredients – semisweet champagne, pomegranate cordial/syrup and pomegranate seeds.  Paired with homemade bruschetta that is smeared thick with cream cheese and some roasted tomatoes, this finger-food feast is sure to get his appetite going.  Be sure to toast the bruschetta in a pan with some olive oil before layering on your chosen toppings.  Perhaps you could lay out two or three toppings and encourage him to make up a slice for you?  The opportunities to make romantic advances and endless! 

Lemon and Roast Caper Tuna Carpaccio

Light enough to leave you feeling comfortable yet satisfied, this idea for a lemon and roast tuna carpaccio is ideal for an evening when you want to impress.  Search for recipes that are simple enough to prepare at home, and be sure that your chosen cut of fish is finely sliced before you even leave the grocery store.  You can prepare and plate this course before you start to get ready, popping it in the fridge to ensure that it remains fresh. 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Vanilla Cream

Chocolate covered strawberries – the ultimate romantic dessert which you can either buy or prepare at home.  If you do choose to prepare these babies in your own kitchen, be sure to do so the day of your dinner date to avoid the chocolate getting too tough and the strawberries from going soggy.  Whip up a small dish of vanilla cream and you’ve got yourself the perfect gateway to absolute delight! 

Once you’ve prepared the dinner and set the table, be sure to run a warm bath in which you can soak.  Make use of a fragrant beauty bar to cleanse and soften your skin.  When choosing your skin care products, be sure to select a delicately fragranced beauty soap that will leave a delicious, lingering scent on your body.  Between you and the tasty food, your man won’t know what hit him! 

The average user time on Tinder is 77 minutes.  If your thumb is tired from all that swiping, here’s a list of other things you could do with all that time. 

We all know dating apps are widespread and pretty much a necessary evil to let other humans know we’re good to go.  What we just discovered, according to a study by the company Carvaka, is that the average user time on Tinder is 77 minutes.  77 MINUTES!  Now we know why millennials’ thumbs cramp up so much. 

According to the NY Times, Tinder has about 50 million users.  And, Carvaka says mobile dating apps are used predominantly by 18-24 year olds – 22% of them to be exact.  That’s a ton of people and a lot of swiping happening simultaneously. 

But, does there ever come a point in time when it becomes frustrating to swipe?  Don’t your eyeballs get tired of looking at face after face after face?  Don’t you get bored, or need to take a snack break?  Well, it seems like 77 minutes in, most people do. 

Just in case, here’s a list of other things you could do in 77 minutes! 

Take a nap. 

Just because you’re snoozing doesn’t mean you’re losing out on all the Tinder fun.  It will be there when you wake up, trust me. 

Better yet, JUST GO TO SLEEP ALREADY. 

Get that extra hour or so you know your body needs to prepare for your busy day ahead. 

Podcasts, people. 

Find a new podcast to listen to.  There are emotional yet funny ones like Chris Gethard’s “Beautiful Anonymous.”  You can even get your female empowerment on with “Call Your Girlfriend” or just straight up educate yourself with “Stuff You Should Know.” 

Make a scrapbook. 

Or, if you’re not into old fashioned scrapbooking, create a photobook online.  Sites like Shutterfly or Montage make it super easy to customize your own beautiful creation for someone and put all those Instagrams to good use!  Plus, it’s a great gift idea for the holidays. 

Take a long walk and watch the sunset. 

Most of us don’t spend enough time outside, unplugged, enjoying the sights and sounds around us. 

Update your resume & LinkedIn profile. 

You know you need to!  Plus, if your job requires it, it’s also a good idea to start an online portfolio to showcase your work.  Or, just spruce yours up if you already have one. 

Clean your email inbox. 

This includes deleting, filing, archiving, etc.  the contents.  Your life will feel much more organized, even if it’s only “digitally” clean for the time being.  You’ll thank me later. 

Volunteer to serve a meal at a soup kitchen. 

It’s amazing what a little perspective can do when we get out of our digital lives and into the real world by doing something kind for others.  Plus, it doesn’t take a ton of time to do something compassionate like this. 

Crosswords & comics. 

Basically, try your best to do anything “old fashioned” that doesn’t involve swiping on your phone. 

Create a list of all the things you like about yourself and put it on the fridge. 

Being your best version of yourself starts with being your own #1 supporter.  Teach that voice in your head to always motivate and be positive, even on your worst days.  It may seem silly, but starting with a visible list is a simple, effective way to make this happen. 

Revive the art of the handwritten card. 

Write and send a few handwritten thank you notes or holiday cards.  Receiving one will brighten someone’s day and it’s totally better and more personal than sending them a text or an email.  Plus, writing on cute stationary is fun! 

Finally make that phone call to an old friend. 

We all have those calls we’ve been meaning to get to, those long “catch up” conversations we need to have with someone.  So, make the call – it will be worth it to hear that voice on the other end of the line.  Friendships and relationships are important, so cherish and foster them. 

Actually socialize with a person! 

Meet a long lost friend for happy hour (preferably drinks with tequila).  Human interaction is good for you. 

Clean a junk drawer. 

It’s therapeutic.  Tackle the mess in such a fashion it would make Marie Kondo, the expert of decluttering, proud.  While you’re at it, maybe just go ahead and clean your whole living space if you need to. 

(From Never Liked It Anyway, the number one destination for all things break-ups and bounce-back!  It’s the place to buy, sell and tell all things ex!  Sell your breakup baggage, tell your story and join the community of rock stars bouncing back better than ever! ) 

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BroadLitÂ® combineâ€™s the popular genre of romance with the emerging world of new media technology and delivers to todayâ€™s women romance through its many multi-media channels.  TruLOVEstories.com is specifically designed for women looking for a little romance seasoned with humor.  The site offers novels, love stories, games, merchandise, contests, videos and other opportunities for building a strong community. 

BroadLit is unique in that it brings to the market a combination of classic and new romance materialâ€”Romance Stories, love stories, romance books, romance eBooks -- in a variety of ways.  In addition to bringing back to life the assets of True Romance and True Love Magazines in its TruLOVE Collection series, it is also publishing original contemporary romance novels.  BroadLit, Inc. is a Los Angeles based company launched by the owners of Broadthink, a boutique branding and new business development media company.