#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?

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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.

Thursday 13 - Tips for Successful Flirting

 

1: Don't Come On Too Strong

Flirting is all about subtlety, and being too aggressive when pursuing someone can turn him off. Levine agrees: "Women are more likely to strike out when they try too hard, act too available, or take the mystery out by making the outcome obvious," she notes.
Likewise, it's not smart to play too hard to get either. Although most men enjoy some degree of a challenge, if you continue to discourage or reject them, they will give up.

2: It Takes Confidence

Although you may be secretly quaking in your boots anytime he even looks at you, it's important to project a confident attitude. If you are a naturally shy person, this may be easier said than done, but Levine recommends wearing a new outfit or something that makes you feel good about yourself. "Sexy shoes can make you feel especially powerful!" she adds.

3: Drop Physical Clues

If the object of your affection is at a distance, making eye contact and smiling are sure-fire ways to grab his attention. Within closer distances, try gently touching him on the arm or chest while he's talking, but be careful not to linger too long and create an awkward moment.

"If time is flying by, you're both having fun, and neither of you is wasted, he'll likely ask you out and follow through. If not, and you want to see him again, tell him in a flirty way. If he's doesn't ask for your number at that point, leave it be-you're saving yourself a headache later on. And, most importantly don't take it personally."

4: Don't Forget to Be Yourself

Lastly, "to have a relationship that's real and lasting, the bottom line is to be yourself," says Levine. "To get to that point, it's trial and error. What doesn't work with one guy will work on another. Your heart is on the line, and until you make your move, you won't know the benefits or the ramifications."

5: Smile.

It seems obvious, but one of the best moves is a big smile. Do you smile enough? Practice smiling in the mirror -- your smile needs to get noticed. For the most impact, it should be a genuine smile, not forced. Make sure your teeth are white and your breath is fresh.

6: Hold eye contact.

See that cute guy across the room? One of the best ways to let him know you are interested is to get caught looking. Look him up and down, stare and wait until he notices. Then, make eye contact and hold it until it's almost uncomfortable, then look down and away.

7: Make "accidental" contact.

Touch is powerful. Touch his back as you walk by his desk. Brush his hand as you sit at the bar. Touch his shoulder briefly when you are introduced. If he's interested, he'll welcome this type of non-intrusive touching. If you feel him pull away, don't do it again.

8: Do the foot jiggle.

The dating advice book, Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love, suggests the foot jiggle move. And it works. While sitting down, cross your legs and then jiggle your foot in his direction. If he's interested, he'll get it.

9: Whisper.

At a crowded party or club, where everyone is yelling to be heard, lean in and whisper. It's a great excuse to get closer. Whisper softly, so he'll have to lean in even closer to hear you. After a few minutes of intimate whispering, don't be surprised if you hear, "Do you wan Talk about sports.

A hot woman who knows about sports is a guy's dream. Brush up on your sports knowledge and then take your flirting game to a sports bar or sporting event. Just a few (correct) observations about his favorite team will get his motor running.

10: Rub your shoulder.

Rub your shoulder or neck like you have a crick, then just sigh. If he's interested, he'll find it sexy and probably offer you a quick massage. While he's massaging, be sure to compliment him on his strong hands.

11: Laugh a little.

Laugh at his jokes if they are funny; be a little sarcastic if they aren't. He'll enjoy the banter. Relax and laugh a little, but don't laugh at everything he says or try to be a comedian yourself. Just act natural and comfortable.

12: Have a line.

Corny lines actually work sometimes. Ask if you can have a look at his cell phone. After giving it the once-over, say, "It's pretty nice, but it's missing one thing" -- which is, of course, your number. At least, you'll get a laugh. At best, you'll have given him your number.

13: Be straightforward.

Sometimes, the best flirting move is the boldest one. Being straightforward is especially effective if you are looking for a one-night stand. Place your hand his knee, make direct eye contact and tell him he's hot. If he's interested, you'll be between the sheets before you know it.

 

Thursday 13 - Ideas for Dates in the Beginning

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 change for a payphone in case of an emergency.

The important thing to remember is to have fun on your date and do not expect too much. After all, what is a first date other than a fun way to get to know one another, and to explore the possibilities of developing a strong and lasting 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. Attend a theater play, museum or art gallery opening followed by coffee.

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.

Happy Thursday 13!

For another Thursday Thirteen zip over to Romance Writers Behaving Badly.