To ensure a romantic atmosphere, choose a location like a field of wildflowers- nature has already done the work for you! Pack a white or cream colored picnic blanket to avoid taking away from the beautiful landscape around you. Instead of packing just one picnic basket, get creative and bring several different sized baskets – each with their own purpose. Fill a tall picnic basket with flowers to create a beautiful wicker centerpiece.  Pack your lunch in a picnic basket with some sort of enclosure like a lid to keep bugs, grass, or anything else unwanted from coming in contact with your food.  Fill your basket with easy-to-eat foods that don’t require a plate like grapes or cheese and crackers.

Use your imagination for your third basket. Choose a shallow rectangular picnic basket to showcase a bottle of wine, champagne, or prosecco and two glasses. Add mementos from throughout your relationship like old love letters you’ve saved, photo albums to revisit and reminisce, or romantic poetry books like “Love Letters” by Pablo Neruda. Bring along a camera to capture new moments to look back on and commemorate in the future.

For easy clean-up, make sure to only use picnic baskets with handles. Pack a trash bag so you can separate your trash from your mementos and carry them all in the concealed basket. Keep your centerpiece flowers in plastic with water so your date has something to take home with her to remind her of your fabulous time!

There’s no doubt that your date will love the outing and the thoughtfulness and creativity you put into the activity. Sometimes it’s nice to get away and enjoy nature while enjoying time spent with a potential boyfriend or girlfriend. If this doesn’t woo your date the first time, keep trying for more outdoor dreamy dates that will certainly impress them time and time again.

Citations:

• Image via Wedding Chicks

Paige One enjoys writing about a variety of topics including romantic activities for the summer time. Find Picnic Baskets for your romantic day date and romance your date during an amazing nature outing.

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There was a time when marriage was forever, but now-a-days they reckon about 50% of marriages will end in divorce. So what about us singletons then? What chance do we have in the dating world? Well fear not, you don’t have to be a statistic, you can be a relationship pro – it’ll just take a bit of work.

To be better at making your relationships last you should learn from other peoples mistakes. It doesn’t really matter whether you are happily married or two weeks into a new relationship, many of the mistakes are much the same; and if you can avoid them, maybe you might beat the statistics..?

Don’t Dwell On Stupid Arguments

Right, arguments happen, ok maybe not after 2 weeks, but soon enough they will. When you are early in a relationship these small arguments can soon end things all together, so beware.

The key to not falling into the trap is learning not to be stubborn and getting the hang of letting things go. Can you apologise for something that you don’t think was entirely your fault? I don’t mean admitting fault when you weren’t at fault, but recognising your partners point of view and empathising, that sort of thing.

Learn To Share (Feelings)

The point of relationships is kind of to talk to each other, support each other and having fun together, that’s about it when you think about it. So why do some couples fall down so badly on the talking part? No idea.

Try not to anyway; once you get past that first 2 weeks of getting to know each other, do your best to dig deeper, without sounding too much like a stalker that is… Share your problems too, not all at once right away, but sharing is good.

Learn To Reciprocate Sharing

Right, now that you have gotten the hang of sharing, remember that your partner needs to share too; it’s a good thing, and should be encouraged.

If you are the type to get all defensive when she critizes something you did, she will soon stop doing so. This is the sort of thing that leads to her breaking up all of a sudden when you thought everything was fine.

Make An Effort

Well duh! Right? Ok if this one was a surprize to you then maybe you’re a no hoper. But if not, just remember to check yourself regularly. It is easy to stop trying without realising it, you know, when life gets in the way. Do that and you’ll soon find yourself back on your old dating profiles.

This quaint little piece of relationship advice was brought to you by Ricky from passionsearch.com – have fun, date online and meet someone new.

If you are just starting college, you may or may not know what to expect. Because college is a new experience, you want to meet new people and make new friends. Starting college can make you feel lonely, especially when you see happy couples. You may want to find a significant other, and for you, college seems like the perfect way to do it. You want to meet someone who is just as goal oriented as you are and who has a plan for the future. The guys you went to high school with just didn’t meet your expectations, but now you have a whole different sea of fishes to choose from. If you want to meet upperclassmen boys who are a few years ahead of you, you may want to know if you should date one. The choice is one that you need to make, but knowing whether or not it is a wise idea is always helpful.

Say you met a cute guy who is a junior. You are only a freshman, but you get along really well. You have a lot in common and he wants the same things in life that you want. You’re perfectly compatible. If this boy asks you out on a date, you want to know how to answer. Because he is only two years ahead of you in school, it is perfectly acceptable for you to go on a date with him and even have a relationship if that is where the road may lead. Many times, huge age differences are not looked upon fondly, but two years is nothing in today’s era. If you like him, then yes, you should date him. On another hand, if you’re out at the club with your friends, and you meet a semi-older business man who seems interested in you and asks you out on the date, you may want to know what the best way to handle it is. If you feel that he isn’t too old for you and you like him, it may be worth getting to know him. By no means do you have to rush into a relationship with anyone! Going out on dates is completely harmless and will never hurt a thing! If all else fails, you made a new friend and nothing more. You need to decide for yourself whether you want to date guys who are in the same class as you or who are a bit older.

Many girls do actually date older men and many times, they wind up marrying these men. If you are looking to meet someone new in college and you are interested in someone slightly older than you, feel free to go on the date! Only you can decide who is within your age range and who you feel comfortable with. Ruling someone out who is slightly older can ruin a good thing for you. Keep an open mind and have fun!

About the Author

Dan T. is a writer for BecomeaPoliceOfficer.com. In case you are interested in becoming a police officer, look at this site to help you find out more about this career. 

So you’ve found the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with, and all you have left to do is ask her to marry you. You want it to be special—this will be one of the most memorable moments of both of your lives, after all. Here’s what to consider about your mate when figuring out the best way to pop the question.

What’s her style?

Since you’ve been together long enough to know you want to grow old together, you (hopefully) know your mate pretty darn well. When thinking about how to propose, consider her style, or her overall approach to life. Is she flashy and flamboyant, someone who loves the spotlight? An outrageous public proposal, say, on the JumboTron at a sports game, might be right up her alley (just make sure you’re certain she’ll say yes). Is she more laid back and low key? Maybe an intimate proposal with just the two of you would be more her speed. You know her better than probably anybody, so tap that knowledge to give her the proposal that’s right for her.

Relationship with family

Whether or not to include her (or your) family in the proposal is entirely dependent on her relationship with them. You have to ask yourself, would she want them there? If she is close with her family and would want them to be included in one of the biggest moments of her life, then you should seriously consider how to involve them. If she has a contentious relationship with them, you should probably leave them out of the picture. You don’t want to risk familial tension ruining what should be a joyous occasion. Another possible scenario is having a family that wants to be involved, but a future fiancé who you know would not appreciate their presence. No matter how much you’re pressured, make the happiness of your mate the top priority.

Where she wants to be

What are some of your future spouse’s favorite places? If she’s outdoorsy, maybe she loves a certain alpine lake or desert vista. If she’s a fan of the sea, she probably has a favorite beach or ocean overlook. Maybe she’s more of a city girl, and loves a particular rooftop or garden. While not absolutely necessary by any means, being proposed to in a favorite location is a proposal fantasy for many women. Think about the places she loves, and the possibility of popping the question there.

What kind of rock is she interested in?

Of course, there’s also the small matter of which ring she’s going to be wearing for the rest of her life. If you both know you’re planning to stay together in the long run, chances are she’s dropped hints on what kind of ring she’s hoping for. Think about what you’re willing to spend, and do some research on current diamond market values so you know you’re getting a good deal. If she’s more of an alternative spirit, think outside the box. The ring doesn’t even have to be diamond—it just has to last forever.

However you decide to propose, good luck and congratulations!

Madeline Marshall is a freelance writer living in Santa Cruz, CA.

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People want to look their overall best on a date, and that includes their teeth. They want their teeth to be pearly white and their breath to be fresh and clean, for appearance sake of course, but how about for practical purposes? Have you considered all the things people use their teeth for when they’re dating? There could be a lot of biting going on and you should make sure your chompers are up to the task. Haven’t really thought about it? Here are 10 things people might bite when they’re out on a date.

Breath mint – They want to have fresh breath so it’s likely that most people will pop a breath mint at some point. If they’re like me, they won’t have the patience to let it dissolve completely and end up chomping it up in the end. A breath mint may the first thing to take a bite of on a date.

Their lip – First dates can make people apprehensive, so it stands to reason they may bite their lip at some point. Does this outfit look ok? Will it fit the occasion? Maybe this whole thing was a bad idea. There could be a lot of lip biting happening on a date.

Their tongue – People on dates sure don’t want to say the wrong thing, so there may be a time to bite their tongue. Whether this is actually or figuratively speaking, there could come a point in the conversation that calls for prudence. Instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, clamp down on that tongue until you come up with something intelligent to say. Just try not to draw blood.

Their foot – Those who didn’t heed the last advice, may find themselves putting their foot in their mouth and should subsequently take a bite. How does it taste? Next time pay attention to number 3 and you won’t be dining on your foot.

Fingernails – Dating can make some people really nervous and that’s bad news for nail biters. No matter how much you’re tempted, don’t let your date see you bite your fingernails. This bad habit is a dead giveaway and needs to be suppressed at all costs.

Food – Many people go out to dinner, a movie or someplace that serves some kind of refreshment, so it wouldn’t be unusual at all to take a bite of food on a date. Whether it’s a soft pretzel at the zoo or a nice juicy steak in a fancy restaurant, food is often the central theme of dating. Take a big bite and enjoy.

Drink straw – Instead of going out for food, some couples just go out for drinks on a date so they may on occasion bite on a drink straw. This is perfectly acceptable if it doesn’t get out of hand. Handing your date an empty drink glass with a totally mangled straw sticking out can be a turn off.

A neck – If a date turns passionate there may be some neck nibbling going on. Lucky them! However, caution should be observed when biting necks or other various body parts. Don’t get carried away. Hickeys are so not cool.

More than they can chew – Now here’s something couples don’t want to do on a date and that’s bite off more than they can chew. There’s something to be said for taking things slow and using caution. This metaphor should remind people they shouldn’t commit to something they’re bound to regret later.

The dust – Unfortunately, some dates just don’t go well and that can mean the end of a relationship. This is the last thing people want to happen, but there may come a time when another one bites the dust. Their only choice then is to pick themselves up and move on. Better luck next time.

Dating is often described as navigating a mine field, but few compare it to the oral exercise depicted here. The next time you get ready for a date make sure your teeth are in shape for what lies ahead. Don’t bite your lip, but maybe bite your tongue while you dine on good food instead of your foot. Forego the fingernails or drink straws and you may get into some passionate neck nibbling later. And finally, don’t bite off more than you can chew or your date may end up biting the dust. Enjoy that breath mint and good luck!

This post syndicated from Top Dating Sites.

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When pick up lines became popular exactly might be lost in history. What is certain is that plenty of them are overused, badly used, unstructured, not-thought through, or are just plain bad. There are so many lame pick up lines out there, that most of the time, it no longer matters if you’ve come up with something good or original. The minute a woman hears a pick up line, she’s gearing up to shoot you down.

So, if you’re the kind of guy who has tried picking up women by using pick up lines, you’re also the guy who has been using lame pick up lines. It’s time to stop. If you want any success with women, you have to leave those lines behind. What you should be using instead are ‘openers.’

Openers are lines you use to start a conversation with a stranger. They are not at all like pick up lines because they don’t immediately let the woman know that you have ulterior motives. A good opener simply makes it seem like you are a friendly and confident person.

Good openers should appear very natural. They have to look unplanned. If a woman thinks you’ve planned it, she’ll know something us up. So it will take a bit of acting skill to make it look like this is your normal way of starting a conversation or that you do this all the time.

Try to make the topic or issue you bring up fun. You don’t want to put any pressure on the woman, and you don’t want to introduce a topic that might have a right or wrong answer. It has to seem like a carefree conversation. After all, you want this woman to see that you have a fun side.

Your opener should also be short and easy to understand. If you need to explain what you said, then your opener is not working. It must be something you can deliver, is understood immediately, and will naturally encourage people to converse.

The best openers are opinion questions. For example, if you’re with a friend, you can pretend that you and your friend need to settle a debate and you need a third party to help you do it. This girl happens to be in the vicinity, so she’s just the girl to do it.

Another good opener is when you get the girl involved in the conversation. Saying something like: “Hey, my friends and I were wondering, why exactly do girls currently wear those bracelets? You know like the ones you’re wearing? I don’t know anything about fashion, but it kind of reminds me of 5th graders.” You can start the debate from there. See how that works so much better than: “So, come here often?”

Next time you’re out on the prowl, leave your lame pick up lines at home and gear up for a few openers instead. You’re likely to have to think of things on the spot, and that’s okay! The more natural it all seems, the better!

For more tips on how to date in the modern world, visit GuyGetsGirl.com today. Their training program will keep you up to date and in the know when it comes to the ever changing world of dating.

When you’re out with a woman, it can be very easy to start flirting with them, especially when they’re really attractive. You feel great when you see that she’s responding to your advances, and you think things are going well, but at the end of the night, things fizzle out. So what happened? Well, to be blunt, like all the other men in the room, you were probably being too direct about your flirting. You put it all out there, made it known that you were interested, and this bored her.

More and more, women are wanting more mystery in their relationships. They don’t want someone who obviously likes them right away. Though they like being chased, they too want to feel a bit of the chase. So what does this mean? Simple, you have to find a way to make things more subtle. You can do this by playing some flirty games!

First, get yourself ready for a night out. Be sure that everything is in place, you look good, you have a good group of friends going with you, and you feel good. Never go out if you’re feeling low or a little off your game. Chances are, you are definitely going to be off your game and you’re not going to be very successful at flirty games.

Once you’re out and have successfully started a conversation with a woman, begin to check and see if she’s interested in you. See if her body language is indicating that she is attracted to you and likes where things are going. This is your first go signal. This flirty game won’t work if she doesn’t initially like you because she won’t be interested in playing.

So once you know that she’ll probably say yes to playing the game, start with the really simple one. Tell her that you can read palms. She’ll probably be skeptical and she’ll probably know you’re joking, but what this does is give you a good reason to hold her hand. Take her hand and start looking. Do the basics. Tell her she has a long life, that she’s going to be happy, etc. Then, start shaking your head and look worried. She’s probably going to ask you what’s wrong. Look at her very seriously and say: “I can’t tell you. It’s pretty bad.” She’ll bug you to tell her, and you can play around with this for a bit, just ending it with something really dumb, like: “Okay okay. You’re a shopaholic.” and say this in a teasing voice. After that, slowly drop your hands, and give hers a squeeze and give her a smile.

Just like that, you subtly but very effectively played a flirty game!

For more fun flirty games, check out GuyGetsGirl.com. Seduction experts teach you all the tricks of the trade on how you effectively attract any woman in the room!

When you start dating someone new, it can be nerve wracking. Not only are you excited and happy, but you are also really nervous about how they will react once they get to know you. This is why anyone who has ever read any advice about going on dates knows the run down of what they should do: make a good first impression, smile, be charming, and don’t reveal any secrets. The question is, however, does this lead to healthy dating? After all, the tendency is for most people to get a bit carried away and stretch the truth.

While it is definitely important to put your best foot forward and try to show the best side of you, this shouldn’t be done to the point where you start changing who you are or pretending to be a certain way when you’re not. It is important to be genuine with a woman from the very first date. First of all, women are very intuitive. They will know if you’re faking it or if something is off with you, and this will be counterproductive to your making a good first impression. Second, if you start on a genuine note, you will have a very healthy dating relationship with this woman because she knows you are not fake.

So, how do you give a good impression, but still make sure that impression is 100% you? Try these techniques:

Talk About Her

If you’re afraid you’re going to say something that will turn her off, why not talk about her? Showing interest in her and what she does is always something that will score you brownie points. She will be flattered that you’re showing that much interest. If you want to keep her talking, open up a topic she is likely to have an opinion on.

Always Check What You Said

Naturally, there will be times when she will ask you questions and you will have to answer. When you answer, always make eye contact. This will help keep you in check because it’s hard to lie to someone and look them in the eye. As you speak, check on what you’re saying. Is it all true? If it isn’t, correct it right there. It will seem like less of a lie.

Pretend a Good Friend is There

It’s very difficult to lie when someone who knows you well is around. Though it may be weird to pretend a friend is on a date with you. Thinking about how they’d react to what you’re saying is another way to keep yourself in check.

Remember, honesty leads to healthy dating. When you’re honest with a woman from the get go, having a relationship will be much easier because you won’t have any big surprises to reveal later. Like having to tell her you’re just an analyst when you initially told her you were an investment banker. You will also find that you aren’t as anxious about going on dates because you know you are with someone who likes you exactly for who you are, not who you made her think you were!

Need more tips for healthy dating? Maybe finding the girl of your dreams? Log on GuyGetsGirl.com and be on your way to getting the girl of your dreams today!

Making the leap from dating to cohabitation can be daunting; on top of trying to combine two lives worth of belongings into one space, there’s the added tension of wondering if you’ll even be able to get along. Before you sign that lease, here are ten ways you can test your compatibility.

Go On Vacation – Take a trip together, preferably a road trip. Being in such close quarters while you travel and sharing a small hotel room will give you a decent idea of each others’ habits, and an opportunity to have a long discussion.

Visit the Family – It’s almost impossible to be anything but yourself when visiting the parents. Take turns spending holidays or special occasions with your separate families; in addition to seeing each others’ true colors, you can also get a feel for future gatherings as a couple.

Extended Sleep Overs – Spending one or two nights a week together won’t provide a clear picture; before moving in to a shared space, it’s a good idea to spend at least two weeks in the same house. Because you’re both likely to still be on your best behavior, if you’re ready to tear your hair out within a few days, you might want to rethink moving in.

Talk About Where You Want to Live – One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a couple starting a life together is where to live. Will one of you move into the home the other already has? If so, will that person be able to shelve possessive tendencies of the space? Many couples opt to find a new place together to avoid this, but if it isn’t feasible for your relationship, you’ll need to be aware of how much adding a new person to a home will change it.

Have a Long Discussion About Finances – Though wanting to avoid discussions about a possible breakup is natural, it’s important to talk about how it would affect you financially if you’re living together. If you’re planning to get a new home together, it’s a good idea to be sure that one person can afford to keep it should you break up. Also, you’ll need to be aware of each other’s spending habits to avoid future fights over money.

Get a Joint Checking Account – Opening a joint checking account can be a great way to learn each other’s financial habits. It might be best to keep a relatively small balance at first, since it’s a financial experiment of sorts.

Wait a While – Even if you think you’re ready, wait a bit longer to move in. The longer that you’re together but living separately, the more time you’ll have to get accustomed to one another. Habits and pet peeves that would rear their heads early in a cohabiting relationship might take much longer to discover otherwise.

Know Where You Both Stand on Marriage – Some couples view cohabitation as test-driving marriage, while others see it as the end of the commitment line. Often, people hesitate to bring up the subject for fear of scaring the other person away, but if you’re committed enough to consider living together, this shouldn’t be an issue. If one of you would like to one day get married, while the other has no desire to formalize a relationship, it will only lead to trouble down the line. You should both know exactly what your plans are before you pack the first box.

Make Some Rules – No matter how much you love one another, living together is still an arrangement. Deal-breakers should be discussed openly to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line. Remember, getting out of an unsuitable relationship is exponentially more difficult after you’ve moved in together.

Talk About What You Can Part With – Unless you both have an unlimited income, you’re probably not going to be able to afford a space large enough for both of you to keep everything you own. He might have to part with the futon he’s had since college, she might need to sell her extensive porcelain doll collection. One of the conversations you should definitely have is what you can stand to part with and what is absolutely part of the package.

While these tips will help you go into cohabitation with a bit more information, it’s important to realize that there really are no sure-fire methods for learning each others’ quirks before moving in. Some things won’t come to light until the honeymoon period ends, which can take months. Be prepared to learn new and sometimes surprising things about your mate each and every day after you start sharing living quarters.

This guest post courtesy of Mary Edwards, from Best Dating Sites.

It’s no secret that a breaking up is a painful process, no matter which side of it you’re on. Almost everything about it is miserable, but there are some things that are particularly hurtful; these ten things are among the worst parts of ending a relationship.

The Initial Conversation – Whether you knew the breakup was inevitable or were taken by surprise, the first discussion about ending a relationship is one of the most difficult. Hurt feelings can cause both parties to say things they’ll later regret, causing each other even more pain.

Separating Your Lives – Long-term relationships have a way of intertwining two lives so thoroughly that extricating yourself is a complicated and hurtful process. Sorting belongings, closing joint accounts and moving all hammer the point home; the finality of these necessary tasks can be heartbreaking.

Questions From Family and Friends – When family members and friends become accustomed to viewing a couple as a unit, it can be difficult to answer the inevitable questions. Being forced to explain the reasons behind a breakup to loved ones over and over can be wearing; watching mutual friends take sides and grow apart can often make things even worse.

Finding Forgotten Belongings – Stumbling over a forgotten piece of clothing or other left-behind belongings inevitably happens, especially if the couple shared a living space. The regrets and memories of happier times can almost be overwhelming in this situation.

Adjusting to Single Life – After creating a life with someone, their absence can be even more upsetting when it’s time to make adjustments to single-dom. Mundane tasks like eating dinner alone are often among the most depressing reminders of everything that has been lost.

Rumors and Gossip – Even the most well-meaning friends can’t resist the urge to pass along gossip and rumors about an ex; regardless of their truth, these second-hand news items can make an injured party even more unhappy.

Being Reminded Unexpectedly – Hearing a particular song on the radio or smelling your ex’s cologne on a stranger passing by can almost be devastating; being unprepared for the onslaught of memories that accompany these things often leaves a person bewildered, reliving the relationship and its painful end.

Accidentally Running Into One Another – Unless one half of a couple leaves town altogether, you will eventually bump into one another. The stunted conversation between two people who were once so close is heartbreaking in its awkwardness.

Finding Out That They’re Dating Someone New – Hearing that your ex is seeing someone else, especially if you haven’t been ready to date anyone yourself, can make you question the depth of their commitment and feelings for you.

Realizing That You Haven’t Moved On – There often comes a point, after a breakup, when you realize that you’ve been fooling yourself into thinking that you’ve moved on. Realizing that you’re still not quite over an ex can feel as if you’re reliving the breakup, going through it all over again.

Starting over after ending a long-term relationship is a challenge, and almost never happens quickly. Because moving on is a series of small and gradual changes, it can sometimes feel as if there will never be an end in sight. Patience and optimism is key; by taking things one day at a time and realizing that the pain won’t last forever, you might find yourself ready to face the world sooner than you expect.

This guest post by Donna Cullen, from Top Dating Sites.

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