Airbrushed Photo?

For those who have done online dating or are currently participating in on online dating, the questions comes up - do you doctor your picture or not.

Better yet, if you have found someone attractive and wanted to reach out to them via online dating, did you think "Do they really look that their picture?"

Working in the dating world, we hear A LOT of stories about people having met someone finally in person and that person looking older, heavier NOT looking anything like their current profile picture.  It is so disappointing and...deceiving!

To make online dating even harder, there is now an app called  that will allow you to airbrush your photos and it only cost .99 cents!

HERE is an article all about it!

Summer Love - Easy Date Ideas

Summer is upon us!  The good news is that during summer, dates can be low cost and active due to the scorching heat warm weather!  Here are some fun, low cost, out of the box ideas for a nice summer date!

1. Picnic at the park:  This one is easy! Nothing like a bottle of wine, cheese, and some mini sandwiches devoured on a blanket - oh so romantic!

2. Night Grilling in the back yard:  instead of going to a loud stuffy restaurant just throw some meat and veggies on the grill.  It is heathy, something that you two can do together, and delicious!

3. Kite Flying: seriously everyone forgets how fun this is!  Go get a cheap kite and help each other try to fly it.  So sweet.

4. Bike riding: if you two don't have bikes, in most cities you can rent bikes.  Jump on the bikes and just ride throughout the city together.  You will both enjoy seeing the city from a different perspective...and burn some calories.

5. A day at the Zoo: I know you have probably seen the animals a million times but it will never get old.  Take the day, pack some snacks, and walk around the zoo together.

6. Flea Market & Yard Sale shopping: look in the paper & on craigslist for upcoming yard sales.  Plan out your stops and go together to see what "treasures" people are getting rid of.

7. Putt Putt Golf: this one is always frustrating fun! ...and a great way to see just how patient your date its! Oh...and we all know that everyone likes to imagine little people living in these cute replicaes of mini villages.

Just remember that anything can be a "date".  Just make it light & fun - since that is really what dating is all about - FUN!

HAPPY SUMMER!

5 Love Languages

As matchmakers, we are always reading up on new things dealing with love so we can better help our clients.  One of the best books that we encourage everyone to read is "The Five Love Languages".  This book is for everyone - whether single or married.  It  clarifies your way of expressing and interpreting love.

Do you know your love language?  You should!  Click HERE to take the quiz.

Men - Take the Lead!

I have men contact me or write in every week telling me they didn't know how to end the date or ask for a 2nd date.

Men, we have got to talk about this!!!!

It's killing me and 95% of the women out there. In today's world, where women take the lead in their work life, the one place they don't want to take the lead is in their personal life.  If the woman is even remotely type A she will be very turned off that you didn't take the lead in this area.

 

Despite what you see professionally, women still want to be romanced!  They want to feel like if they are being taken OUT, especially in the beginning stages, its the one place they can feel sexy, feminine, and girly.  They just want to think about looking pretty, being sweet and having fun.  It's still your job to court her.  Women have never stopped wanting you to do this, I promise.

Take the lead.  If you know you want to see her again, just asking directly for a 2nd date while you are on the first date.  Yes, you are going to get rejected.  That's part of life.

I read an article recently, where people married people were polled.   20% of women said, they didn't even like their husband when they first met him.  I bet they hadn't made up their mind about him after a first date. But, clearly, the men pursued these women and won them over.

I can guarantee it started with making the woman feel special, feel pursued, feel important.  Taking the lead in itself can be the game changer.

So, in short.  Ask her out for a first date while on a 2nd date. Plan something fun. Call her to follow up within 2 days to iron out the details.  Make her feel like she can relax with you in charge.  She can be the "lady" and just have fun.  Starting out on the right foot can make a world of difference.

Being Stood Up is the WORST!

To really do dating the right way, you have to be open-minded, courteous, honest and have a positive attitude.  Going into the chaotic world of dating with a judgmental and negative attitude will get you nowhere. You may as well just save yourself the time, effort and money and stay at home.

Snap judgments are the absolute worst. Don’t accept a date with someone, if you know there is a deal-beaker. Accepting a date and then being a no show is extremely rude and disrespectful to the other person. Who cares if they aren’t your perfect match. He or she is a human being and they deserve the same respect that you do.

Maybe you have personally been stood up before, or done it to someone else, but there is no excuse for it. Everyone’s time is valuable so do the courteous thing and let him or her know that you can’t make the date.  It’s that easy.

Making up your mind about a person before you ever go on a date is a huge mistake as well. You may close doors on a great person because of a judgment that you made on their outfit or be overly excited about a person you have nothing in common with because you think they are attractive. Yes, looks matter but finding love goes so much deeper than that.

Finally, never lie to your date. You never know where the relationship will go or who you two have in common. Like the saying goes, honesty is the best policy.

Finding Balance in a Relationship

In the dating world, everyone knows that some people “date out of their league.” And no, I am not talking about looks; I am talking about personality, interests and hobbies as well.

You want to attract a partner who loves to workout, hike and spend time at the beach? Get off your butt and go do those things! Don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk.

So many times the characteristics and traits that people want in a partner are polar opposite of the way that they actually are themselves. Guys with no fashion sense want a trendy and fashionable girl. Girls who love to watch movies on the couch want a sporty, athletic guy. It doesn’t really work that way. A relationship with someone that you have nothing in common with will never work out.

Now, I am by no means saying that a couple has to have identical interests and hobbies, but there has to be some overlap. To have a successful relationship you have to share a few similar interests. Maybe you like to jog together, or maybe you both love to cook new things. Save the different interests for your time apart. Let him play golf, poker, and lift weights when he is with the guys and he will let you watch rom-coms, get your nails done, and gossip with the girls.

There is a perfect balance of time together and time with your friends that you should strive for. Once you find out what works for you and your relationship; it’s guaranteed to be a happy one.

A happy girl is a pretty girl!

Have you ever heard the phrase: "A happy girl is a pretty girl"?  We think this rule applies to dating - and to both men and women!  The happy people seem the most approachable, the most fun to be around, and bring the joy to the party of life.  Increase your odds of scoring a date with the cutie across the room - or of having the hot girl walk over and hand you her number - by acting like, and actually BEING - the happiest person in the place!

I have observed 6 things that the happy people are doing differently than the "unhappy" set.  Practice these habits, and soon being happy will truly be second nature to you!

1. Exercise.  It is true that exercise increases endorphins, which then of course elevates your mood.  People who exercise regularly also feel better about themselves both inside and out, so do your future love life a favor -- and hit the gym!

2. Have goals.  People who have something to look forward to and to strive for tend to come across as more satisfied.  Not to mention, it is definitely attractive to talk to someone who is ambitious!

3. Forgive people.  Those who harbor resentment and anger over past hurts or wrong doings are only hurting themselves.  Don't you think the person who hurt you has forgotten about it?  Probably.  So - so should you.  Put a smile on your face and move on.  Soon, that hurt will ACTUALLY BE a distant memory!

4. Be social!  This keeps your perspectives fresh, and your energy level up.  Don't be a couch potato; get out there, socialize, and meet new people!

5. Be thankful.  Grateful people come across as the most satisfied - so always practice gratitude.  Not to mention - who wants to date someone who is rude to the waiter, or snappy to the valet?  Treat everyone graciously, and it will be noticed by the people around you.

6. Last but not least - Don't sweat the small stuff.  This sounds cliche, but seriously.  No one wants to be around the person who is ALWAYS stressing about SOMETHING that is actually insignificant to everyone around them.  It is hard to enjoy the true joys of life when you are too consumed with the tiny ding on your bumper, or the fact that you gained 2 pounds.  Move on, stop obsessing, and don't sweat it.  People who go with the flow are much more attractive - be one of them!

Ask us about our national date coaching program-  888-897-8285, coaching@1on1matchmaking.com.

Until next time,

One on One and Eight at Eight