#Thursday13 - Autumn Date Ideas

I love FALL.  Everything about the season is wonderful! Acorn squash smothered with butter and brown sugar cooks in the stove while a hot apple pie cools. Burning leaves and then enjoying a glass of wine with friends. Here are a few ideas for you and your honey to have some time to yourselves.

1. Visit a local orchard or pumpkin patch.

2. Go apple picking then make caramel apples.

3. Bake an apple or pumpkin pie together then eat it before it gets cold. Have fun with the left over whipping cream. Enjoy a glass of local wine or brew.

4. Find your inner child and go on a corn maze and hayride. Rake leaves into a pile and jump in!

5. Make Apple Cider Floats and snuggle in front of a fire.

Apple Cider Float

1 cup of real apple cider

½ cup ginger ale

1-2 scoops vanilla ice cream or a seasonal flavor such as cinnamon or apple pie

Ground cinnamon and nutmeg for sprinkling

1-2 TBSP caramel sauce

Pour apple cider and ginger ale into a glass. Add vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle on nutmeg and cinnamon to taste and drizzle caramel sauce on top. Serve with straw and spoon.

 

6. If you are in a warmer climate, take your lap top and a bowl of popcorn to the backyard and watch a movie.

7. Have a thermos picnic at the park. Pack soup and hot cocoa.

8. Go on a Fall Foliage Drive. Pick up some pumpkin spice coffee and enjoy the ride.

9. Visit a local book store. Many offer special autumn displays and events.

10. Hop in the car and go for a drive to find a coffee shop or a local pub to visit.

11. Go on a Sunset Date. Grab a thermos of cocoa and a blanket then head off to a park to watch the sunset. If a park isn't in the cards, simply step onto your porch or back deck.  Weather permitting, do some star gazing too. Super romantic!

12. Have a “Power Outage” Date. Turn all the lights off, light some candles and have some fun.

13. Try a Spa Night. Take a bath together, give each other massages and put on your comfy-cozies.

What word do you use to describe this season? Autumn or Fall?

Click HERE for more super cool Thursday 13 lists.

Thursday 13- Cheap Summertime Date Ideas

Doing activities together strengthen the bonds in a relationship. However, not everything has to lead to lovemaking, simply being together doing non-romantic things gives a relationship a boost. Social science researches have discovered key activities that seem to help couples stay healthily bonded.

* Taking on a challenge together

*Being active together

*Sharing interest or exploring new ones

*Celebrating or learning more about your partner

*Doing the sexy stuff

*Making time for talking and laughing

Here is my list of 13 Cheap Date Ideas:

1. Visit your childhood... 

visit your old elementary schools, climb on the monkey bars. Share stories about your childhoods.

2.Take a camping class....

North Face, Columbia, Coleman and Bass Pro shops offer one day Camping 101 classes.

3. Just get in the car and drive...

Pick up some iced coffees or ice cream cones and go for a drive. Need a destination? Open a map, close your eyes and put a pin on the map and see where you might head off to.

4. Picnic...

Pack a picnic and head to a park. A change of scenery is nice.

5.Visit an observatory...

Many are open to the public once a month for free or a small fee. Some include lectures or concerts.

6. Find a night program at a park...

Many state and national parks offer nighttime programs such as moonlight hikes and star gazing.

7. Take dancing lessons...

many dance studios and clubs offer free dance once-a-week classes.

8. Volunteer...

Habitat for Humanity has programs running all summer long.

9. Reenact your first date...

If you can't go back to the original location, simply get creative.

10. Go shopping...

You don't have to save shopping for when you need something, but go just to go and not be interrupted by kids. Enjoy the ability to look at everything. Don't be afraid to get a little silly... just don't get thrown out by security.

11. Go to a community event….

Concerts in the park and outdoor movies are common in many areas. 

12. Attend a local movie festival…

See one-of-a-kind movies shown in smaller venues.

13. Visit your local coffee shop…

They often host local poets and authors for readings as well as musicians.

CLICK HERE for more Thursday 13

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Tips for a Romantic Bath

I LOVE baths! 

 I bet you can't guess what inspired today's post.  LOL

Taking a bath together in winter is as sexy as skinny-dipping.

It's also a great idea for a "cheap date night".

1. Rose Petals
   One of the most common symbols for romance, the rose is not only a beautiful addition to your bath water and/or bath area it is delightfully fragrant as well.
2. Bubble Bath
   Bubble bath comes in so many varieties it can be hard to choose the right one. If you know your partner has a special favorite, use that one. If not, try something a little creative like bubble bath in a champagne bottle.
3. Mood Music
   Initiate a romantic environment with a little calm and relaxing mood music. Many stores offer nature or mood themed music. Pick out a CD that will help you create the exact mood you desire.
4. Candlelight
   Restore that healthy glow with a liberal sprinkling of candlelight. Tea lights are easy to use, make little mess and are easy to throw away once cooled. Don't place candles where you may splash water on them.
5. Bath Loofah or Accessories
   Why not give each other the ultimate bath and spa experience with a little skin pampering? Go shopping together and pick out a few fun bath products in a scent you both love
6.  Skin Care Take care of each others' skin and try new exfoliation products or other skin improving products. Pay special attention to each other's elbows, knees, hands and feet. Make your own product with sugar and lick it off.

7.                    7.  Hair Care  The scalp is an erogenous zone. Give each other a complete hair washing, including combing out their hair during the conditioning process. 

8.    8.  Champagne
Celebrate your time together with a romantic toast. Use this couple time to renew promises or vows with each other. Or, just revel in actually having couple time.

9. Try a fun, sensual bath game. I'm not going into detail here. *wink, wink*
10. Warm, Fluffy Towels
    Put your towels in the dryer for a few minutes for a warm and toasty after-bath treat.
    Take turns drying each other off for a more intimate experience.
11. Mood Inviting Bath Soak
    Bath soaks are usually a blend of ingredients you add to your bath water to create a desired effect, such as a sore muscle soak, stress-easing soak or relaxation soak. Most bath and body and drug stores carry bath soak products.
12. Privacy
    A romantic moment is easily ruined with unwanted disruptions. Arrange your water play encounter at a time when you can be together alone. A great way to do this and create the perfect memorable night is staying at hotel with a spa or Jacuzzi tub in your room.

13. Shower Power When you don't have time to take a nice bubble bath with your partner, opt for a nice, hot, candlelit shower with incense and music. This is wonderful for mornings because it refreshes the mind for the day.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Fun & Romantic Winter Activities

1. Play in the snow.  Ski, snowboard, have a snowball fight or simply go for a walk.

2. Dinner and a movie.  Order take-out and enjoy an evening under the covers with your honey in the comfort of your own couch.

3. Ice skating.  A playful activity and a chance to be silly.  Enjoy warming up in a local coffee shop afterwards.

4. Dinner by the fire.  Make a meal together. Spread a blanket in front of the fireplace and enjoy your meal "picnic style".

5. Go for a drive.  Pick a destination such as a little restaurant or a bed and breakfast.

6. Listen to an audio book while snuggled in bed.

7.  Play a board game or put together a puzzle.    Keep it romantic by adding wine, candles and music.  If you want to spice things up, purchase a sexy board game to play.

8.  Have an indoor picnic.  Use blankets, pillows, picnic ware and favorite finger foods.

9. Take a bath together.  Stop at your local bath and body shop to pick up bubble bath or some spa items.

10. Have a massage night.  Give each other sensual massages.

11.  Go on a moonlight snowshoe tour.  Check with your local ski resort to see if they offer this romantic event.

12.  Have a soup night.  Make a loaf of French bread and enjoy some wine with a warm winter soup that's been cooking in the Crockpot all day.  Don't turn on the TV but simply enjoy each other.

13.  Enjoy a snow day.  Spend the day in bed.

Thursday 13 - Date Ideas

I write for the 1 Night Stand series from Decadent Publishing. The characters don't have to worry too much about their first date, just the fact it's a blind date and sex is guaranteed. But let's hit reality for a moment. 

First dates can be incredibly tricky and nerve-wracking. It is therefore very important to establish in your own mind what you expect from the date beforehand. If possible, arrange to meet in a public place that you are familiar with, and do not forget to take your cell-phone, or a "back up plan" with a friend in case of an emergency.

If the first date goes well and you're onto the second and third dates the important thing to remember is to have fun and do not expect too much. After all, what is a first few dates are a fun way to get to know one another, and to explore the possibilities of developing a strong and lasting relationship?

Here are thirteen ideas for those dates in the beginning of a relationship.

 

 

1. Go out for dinner then a movie. Having dinner together lets you get to know them better while watching the movie together provides the perfect atmosphere to just get used to them without having to talk too much.

2. Go out to eat, sit and talk and give a small kiss goodnight.

3. Have a picnic at a lake under the moonlight.

4. Walk along the beach or in a park at night.  My honey & I used to enjoy walking in a ritzy area and pick out our dream homes and cars.

5. Have dinner, watch a movie and end the night by playing video games at a local arcade together.

6. Holding hands while walking in the park, getting to know each other.

7. Go out to eat, watch a movie, have a moonlight walk on the beach or through a park ending the evening with the perfect kiss.

8. Go out to dinner then spend time together at a coffee shop getting to know each other.

9. Getting to know each other in the back of a truck on a back road under a starry sky.

10. Laying by the fireplace with romantic music and candlelight getting to know each other.

11. Go out dancing together.

12. Visit an amusement park or county fair.

13. Sit on the porch sipping wine, sharing a snack and talking.

Sultry Saturday Night Floor Play

So it’s nice quiet night and it’s just the two of you; time to have a cheap date night. Spring time still has cold nights perfect for a fire in the fireplace.

Hmmm…the room is lit by firelight and candles.  Fluffy pillows are tossed onto the floor.  Spread a soft blanket or two next to the pillows.  Hmm…sounds nice doesn’t it?  Romantic lighting, sensual fabrics, you just need skin to skin contact and you’ll be all set for a deeply intimate encounter.

Pour a glass of wine and drop your clothes. It’s time for some Floor Play!

Lie down and get comfortable.  Blindfold your honey and straddle him, letting your legs rest along side of his body.  Begin by dripping warmed massage oil over his body, rubbing it in with long sensual strokes.  The key to sensual massage is to adore every inch of your partner’s body.  Enchant his senses by varying the intensity of your touch and being creative.  Use your fingertips, knuckles, and the heel of your hand, your elbows, and your forearms. 

Tease him with an ostrich feather from head to toe, and then pleasure him orally for a few moments.  Go back to massaging him.  Slip a piece of ice into your mouth and let it melt.  Delight his senses with your cold mouth on his hot body.

Rip off his blindfold (or not) and have your way with him. 

Repeat this process only with you wearing the blindfold.  Ask him to drip wine down your back then lick it off for an erotic effect.

Enjoy your night with each other!

.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Date Night Ideas

Juggling jobs, kids, after-school activities, and more, it is hard to find time together as a couple. Setting aside one night a week as a Date Night helps relieve stress and keep the flame burning. If you don't have a honey to share with, grab your best pal!

Consider not leaving the Date to just nights, include any free time during the day or weekend.

Here are a few ideas.

Ideas for staying home.
1. Give each other a massage.

2. Cook a meal together.

3. Have breakfast in bed.

4. Have a movie marathon.

Ideas for going out.
5. Go out for dinner.

6. Skip dinner and just do dessert. Try sharing a huge banana split!

7. Visit a local bookstore or hobby shop.

8. Stop in your favorite coffee shop.

9. Bowling.

10. Take a walk at midnight and go stargazing.

11. Take a winery or brewery tour.

12. Balloon rides.

13. Attend a festival together.




HAPPY TT!

Check out Romance Writers Behaving Badly for another Thursday Thirteen - 13 Romantic Bath Tips.