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Wednesday 30 December 2015

New Year's Resolutions for Singles

By now, you've probably started to think of some New Year's Resolutions. Exercise more? Purchase one less latte a week from your favorite cafe?

Well, if you're like most single people, one of those probably has something to do with a new boyfriend or girlfriend.

The talented first date experts at It's Just Lunch Toronto can give you a hand with that last one. But we also have some other suggestions for you to help make 2016 your best year of dating yet!

Here are our Top 3 New Year's Resolutions for Singles:

1) Be open to meeting new people. Smile more. Talk to strangers. Take a leap of faith. It won't hurt, we promise.

2) Be positive about dating and each of your dates.  Dating can sometimes feel like work. Difficult, difficult, lemony difficult work. And sometimes, when we're not in a great headspace about it, we forget to give our dates the benefit of the doubt. Maybe s/he doesn't look exactly like our dream man/woman.  Maybe s/he said something early in the date that was off-putting. Being more positive about dating and each of your dates will earn you more better dates in the long run, guaranteed.

3) Be good to you. Take that class you've always wanted to take, or that dream vacation. Join the club or the gym...  Whatever it is that you've been thinking of/dreaming of that will bring you joy and happiness. You deserve to be happy and self-fulfilled.

Happy New Year!

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Holiday Wishes from It's Just Lunch Toronto Matchmakers

Happy holidays!

I can't help but smile while I look back upon the past year as a matchmaker at It's Just Lunch Vancouver. I'm fortunate to have a career where I can help singles find their heart match. I enjoy helping people find happiness to last their lifetime.

For that, I want to say THANK YOU. I appreciate your my readers, clients and friends. I have learned so much from your support and comments -- which in turn helps other clients. It is a lovely friendship circle that I am grateful for having.

This time of year is always filled with endless to do lists, shopping, holiday parties and traveling. In the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, I want to take a moment to remind you to enjoy the true magic of the season: time with loved ones.

It is the precious moments that we share with us that the true magic of the season is revealed. Stories are shared. Feelings explored. Our lives become intertwined and friendship strengthened.

This time is also a great time for you to reflect on what it is you may want to see come to fruition in 2016. What are your relationship goals? Take the time to ponder and be as specific as you can. This is just step one towards making 2016 your best dating year yet.

I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

-- Jacquie Brownridge, It's Just Lunch Vancouver matchmaker and CEO

Let the matchmakers at It's Just Lunch help you find your match! Get started today by calling us at 1-416-703-3900 or click here to tell us a little something about yourself

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Surviving the Holidating Season

It's the season of love, generosity, joy to the world, peace on earth . . . and, of courses, the added pressures of shopping for loved ones, holiday parties and Christmas plans with the family.  Not to mention, there's that special someone you have recently met and want to get to know a bit better.

The holiday season can easily push two people towards coupledom too soon or it can let a new spark fizzle out due to other commitments.

So, what is the right holiday protocol? After three months of dating, should you invite someone home to Alberta where your mother will inevitably express her desire for grandchildren while passing the cranberries?

Or will your date get the wrong idea and assume things are getting serious? On the other hand, if they are not invited, they might be offended and think you don't care. What do you do?

In our experience, the top three issues that cause issues during the holidays for couples -- no matter how long you have been dating -- is gift giving, family dinners and party etiquette.

Our advice for how you handle it comes down to two things: how long you have been dating and how you see the current situation.

FIRST THREE MONTHS
Spend Christmas with your family and call him or her from home. It's too early to expect that you will spend the family-oriented holiday together.

THREE TO SIX MONTHS
Bring them to a friend's house or holiday mixer, but it may be a bit early for meeting the parents if they live out of providence.  However, if you all live in the same region, it is probably okay to invite them over Christmas dinner. Feel it out.

SIX MONTHS PLUS
If your family hasn't met your new honey, now is the time. It can be a bit nerve wracking and you might not have much of an appetite -- so be prepared. If you are invited to a family event, be on your best behavior, dress appropriately and volunteer to do the dishes.

Will there be issues? Sure. The mark of a strong couple isn't in the number of problems they face but in how they face those issues. A strong couple can work through the stressful periods and emerge closer than ever. Think of this as just a couple test that you will pass with flying colors.

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Winter Dating Survival Tips

Winter Dating Tips Ideas
How often do your plans get waylaid due to the bone-chilling temperatures or unexpected temper tantrums from Mother Nature?

December in Toronto can be cold, miserable and, quite frankly, isolating. Who wants to battle the harsh conditions outside when Netflix and hot cocoa sounds so much more inviting.

Tis a harsh season for those seeking social encounters. It's not easy to look like a 10 on the hotter-than-hot scale when you are wearing three layers of wool and a pair of long underwear.

Here are a few tips and ideas to help you muster up the courage to head out during the winter holiday season:

1) Everyone is Wearing Winter Clothes
A bundled up person can inspire tender feelings. While you may not be at your sexiness, you're probably rating pretty high on the cute meter. And everyone loves a person with confidence -- and that comes from feeling at ease in six layers of hoodie. So, gear up and head out to the local cafe, fireside table at the local pub or to the movies. Get your wooly self out and in the mix. 

2) Singles Potluck
Make your friends fight the blizzard conditions for a potluck dinner at your pad. Featuring warming items like homemade stew or the best dang chili ever is sure to bring a few smiles. If nothing else, it's a fantastic way to blow out a Sunday afternoon.

3) Cookie Baking Get Togethers
Speaking of blowing out an afternoon on food! Schedule a cookie baking get together with friends. Bake cookies and swap to make fun, edible gifts while being social!

4) Enjoy Winter Activities
It's cold but there are several things that are pretty darn fun to do in the lower temperatures like snowshoeing, ice skating or even watching a minor league hockey game at the community center. There's even scientific research that says our connection with others grow stronger with physical activity. 

5) Perfect Time to Test the Waters
From the first of the year to about Valentine's Day is the busiest time of the year for online dating sites as singles attempt to make good on their "find a mate" resolutions. Not to mention people have recaptured some of their personal time after the holiday flurry of parties, families and other expectations. In short, this is the perfect time for testing the waters of dating sites or matchmakers. 

6) Reconnect with Those Close to You
Okay, so you have elected to stay in, curled up on the couch. Fair enough. Use this time to call your best friend across the country or your sister on the coast. Nothing warms us faster than reconnecting with loved ones -- well, except for homemade hot chocolate.

Happy Holidays! 



Wednesday 2 December 2015

Bring on the Heat for the Second Date

Ok. We’ve all been there. Fighting off the first date jitters can be quite a job.

A call to the best friend for support, a bottle opener and designated driver, or even a quick chat with your therapist (the first available neighbor at the mailbox).

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND DATE?

Those first date jitters grew into real anticipation in the past few days and now, expectations of another great time are running high. This could be the "make or break" date for you, depending on how smoothly the evening goes.

And here comes the mental hamster wheel...
“What if tonight isn’t as good as last time!!???”
“Were they really that attractive or was it just really excellent lighting??!!”
“What if I LOVE tonight and they decide they don’t want to date anymore??!”

Ok. First off. Breathe. Second. You have a date to get ready for, so here’s a little insight. The first date ice is broken, and to keep things going,well you need to warm things up...literally!

At this stage, you want to spend time with the person of interest to see how you relate to one another and notice if there is any chemistry. Choose a place that is comfortable and suits both of your tastes.

Research has been done that proves that physical warmth impacts perception of a person’s physiological warmth. What? No really. Dr. Amy Muise*, a social psychologist, revealed a study that showed offering a hot cup of coffee as opposed to an iced-coffee to someone, positively influenced the opinion of the receiver of the beverage...the person who was offered something warm (soup, a beverage, whatever) rated the person who offered the warmth as more "friendly" and "trustworthy" as opposed to the participants who were offered something cold. All good opinions, especially for a second date.

So, the lesson? When it’s time to order...BRING ON THE HEAT! Maybe opt for teriyaki instead of sushi, coffee instead of iced tea, and you’ll have a better chance of securing that third date!

*http://www.scienceofrelationships.com/home/2011/8/9/how-to-warm-things-up-on-your-next-date.html