Date Tip: Be Yourself

Laura’s Take: After much review, Kris and I have decided that the most important thing for someone to remember on a date is to be yourself! People tend to over prepare themselves for a date and then forget that they need to be themselves! It is smart to prepare, that’s something we always want people to do before a date. But if you’re focusing too much on little details and forget about being yourself, you can forget about ever getting a second date. We hear so often how people change after you get married and move in together. Not to scare you off, but being upfront with someone from the beginning will give them a little insight into what they could expect if all goes well.

Guys, We want to get to know the real you, not who you think we want you to be! Tell us what’s important to you, what you care about, what do you like to do, and things you like and don’t like. On a first date, yes, the little details are still important to keep in the back of your mind, but it’s more important to give a clear representation of who you really are. This’ll give your date the information she needs to know to decide if you’d be right for her.

Date Idea: Strawberry Parfait

Laura’s Take: Kris and I absolutely love parfaits! They’re delicious and refreshing! Mmmm! So anyways, I found this recipe on Yahoo! Recipes and thought it sounded quick, easy, and delicious so I figured I’d share it with you all. We haven’t tried this recipe out yet, however it’s definitely on the list. Kris and I love cooking together! We’ve made some pretty awesome coconut shrimp, of course with the help of my cooking connoisseur mother.

It’s always fun spending some quality time together in the kitchen, cookin’ up something yummy. Whether it’s making a romantic dinner for two or just making a ice cream sundae, it’s just nicer doing these things together. Even clean up is a breeze when you’re both helping out. I’m not saying that you should force your date to do dishes, but if you’re married or in a long-term relationship, cleaning up together can actually be just as enjoyable as the cooking itself. Now keep in mind that this alone would not be enough to fill up a whole evening, so make sure that you plan your date accordingly.

Kris’ Take: Can we do this tonight? Please? That looks and sounds so good! This would be perfect for a movie night.

         Ingredients:

    1. 2 ounces PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
    2. 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
    3. 1/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
    4. 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, divided
              Directions:
        1. Mix cream cheese and jam until well blended. Gently                                  stir in whipped topping.
        2. Spoon 1/4 cup strawberries into each of 2 parfait or                             dessert glasses.
        3. Top with cream cheese mixture.
              Hot Tamales rates this idea:
              3 out of 5 Hearts

                  Special thanks to Kraftfoods.com and Yahoo! Recipes for providing this one!

                  What do you want for Christmas?

                  Laura’s Take: Don’t know what to get your lovely wife or girlfriend for Christmas? Jewelry is always a hit, which unfortunately makes it very predictable. Think, what has she mentioned earlier in the year? Buying something she wanted a while ago, is always a great way to show you listen to her and you care enough to remember. Can’t think of anything? Think about what things she likes to do, such as baking, painting, or gardening and buy her something she could use for such. Still perplexed? Just ask her mom. Mother knows best!

                  By the way, If she specifically says she wants something, don’t be daring and buy her something else. Women know what they want, they can spend hours shopping to find that perfect dress, necklace, or watch. So if she says, I want this dress, don’t try buying a different one. No, the element of surprise isn’t there, but she’ll be much happier getting what she really wants. She knows what she wants, and it’s a black and teal sequin cowl neck cocktail dress!

                   Kris’ Take:  Wow!  I better read carefully here, I hope there’s nothing I’m forgetting :-/  But I must agree, it’s kind of obvious, once the princess puts her foot down, it’s best to abide.  But I must also say the same thing for men.  We will drop hints constantly, just short of holding up signs neon signs.  Men like lots of things such as: TVs, Video Games, Some like jewelry, lots of practical things like tools, and for those married couples I’ve never heard of guys complaining about Lingerie, but not for the guy…  Short of all of those ideas each man is unique, they have hobbies, buy something that will enhance that for them.

                  When push comes to shove, if someone absolutely wants something, I think it’s better to get that.  You can always save the element of surprise for a different day.  It never hurts to bring home a surprise boquet of flowers when she’s had a bad day.

                  Car of the month: Men want Lamborghini

                  Kris’ take: Even you have to admit, this is a sweet ride? Don’t you want to be in the passenger seat right next to me? The wind blowing through your hair. I’d get in trouble if I owned this! This is what men want.

                  Laura’s Take: I would soooo want to be in that passenger seat next to you honey! That car is pretty sexy and I think we should get one… (if we win the lotto that is)

                  Men want to be treated like men

                  Kris’ Take:  Seriously, men want to be treated like men.  We’re tough, we’re stong, we’re like bears.  We like BBQ food and fast cars.  We like to hold the remote control.  So every once in a while can you let us open up your drink, or can you pretend to be scared of the ant so that we can play our role and save the day?  I don’t ask for much, I just don’t want all of this manliness to go to waste.

                  Scrimping and Saving

                  Kris’ Take: We’re young, but we’d really like to own a house. Bills plus dating can really take a bite out of that idea though. A date here, a date there, car payment here, phone bill there. It all adds up. What do you think? Simple Dinner and a movie and you’ve spent $50.00 easily. Only once a week and that’s $200.00 a month! But if you don’t do anything then boredom will take over, and we’ve all been at the “what do you want to do? No, What do YOU want to do?” junction? Honey, what do you think?

                  Laura’s Take: Well Sweety, it’s a tough one. I love being pampered like the princess I am, however I don’t want to live in a trailer either. Saving up for a house is definitely a priority for any serious couple so always keep that in mind when you’re on our way to Bonefish Grill. There’s tons of great, really inexpensive date ideas out there. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a nice time. I know I like making up a picnic basket and taking it to the park. Have movie night at home, play some board games, make each other a romantic dinner, but whatever you do, don’t let the relationship get boring!