PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

As I finish touching up my makeup before hitting a night on the town, it occurred to me that the classic combo of eating then being entertained has never gone out of style. The standard date consisting of going out dinner, then following it up with a movie afterwards is always a safe bet, but sometimes, you just need to breathe new life into that old standby. (And speaking for myself, it's one of the things that PlanJam helps me out on quite a bit!)

Let's take a look at how to jazz up that mix!
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A lot of talk has been buzzing around lately about the Skinny Bitch books and the underlying message it portrays. Yes, the authors encourage you to eat your veggies and do the animals a bit of justice at the same time. I'm all for that, believe me! But the problem I have with this series is, just like every other diet-fad book out there, the main (interpreted) message is,
"Put down the donut and eat an apple, you big, fat slob!"
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Back when I worked in an office, I used to get included in on all kinds of office chatter and gossip. Besides the number one topic of management misdeeds, what people talked about the most was their relationships and how they were either blissfully perfect or destructively chaotic. As the years and chatter wore on, I came to the realization the compliments and complaints boiled down a simple distinction between trust and jealousy.
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So you’ve been dating a fella for a while who, by all accounts, seems to almost fulfill your ideals of Mr. Right. Unfortunately, he has so many annoying little habits that drive you insane that you feel the need to correct them… by any means necessary. And now that he’s been spending a lot of time over at your home, these imperfections and annoyances are really starting to rear their ugly heads. You’ve had it! You are going to write up a list of demands and get these issues rectified – pronto! Or, you are going to work him over the same way you house broke your puppy. Either way, this is going to stop! No more leaving the toilet seat up, no more curled up, stinky socks left on the floor and certainly no more lounging around in holy underwear (or blaming certain odors on imaginary critters).
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Whether you’re getting ready for a first date, a hundredth with your life partner or a fun night out on the town with your friends, it’s always important to look your best. Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to abandon your personality or break the bank in the process, but a little sprucing up never hurt anyone! After all, you really do only get one chance to make a lasting first impression – with anyone you may run into. And yes, this is coming from someone who needs little reminders herself!
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Some single parents starting new relationships may feel they’re climbing an uphill battle, and this flies equally for both for women as well as for men. After all, it’s hard enough for a single person to get back into the dating scene after a presumably difficult breakup, but it can be a hundred times more difficult to squeeze in a night out with another adult, what with a crazy work schedule and PTA meetings to worry about. And adding the fear of rejection due to already having a family can really put a damper on an evening, so the thought of holding back this crucial bit of information may sound tempting… at least until after a few dates, of course. Why not let him or her get to know you as a single adult first, so “dropping the bomb" won’t have as much punch.
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My most memorable gift was also the most horrid, to where I will never stop reminding him about it…it was a laundry basket! To this day, whenever I see the ragged thing, I am thrown into the memory of where it came from. When my guy gave it to me, with the grocery check out sticker still adhered to its side, I nearly threw it at him! But no, I decided to express my rage through sarcasm instead, thereby adding a chapter of legendary proportions to our relationship.
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My guy and I have been together for over a decade, so I think I know a thing or two about what makes a great Valentine’s Day and what doesn’t. Now granted, I’m not a diamonds and champagne kind of gal, but time and time again, whenever I share some of my date stories, I always get a swoon from the ladies and a nod of approval from the guys! Here’s a little story that I’m sure will get your gears going!
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With Valentine’s Day slowly lurking around the corner, couples just starting out can feel a lot of anxiety building up as to how to approach such a romantic milestone. Expensive jewelry, pricey get aways and black tie engagements are off the list, and candy and flowers can be misconstrued as either being more friendly than romantic or simply lacking in creativity altogether. Fear not, for there are lots of inexpensive yet cherishably memorable ways to beat Cupid at his own game and set the tone for the rest of the year!
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With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we've launched our new "Love Is…" campaign. It's a little reminder that you can be single and still enjoy Valentine's Day.

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