One of my friends are going on a date, they haven’t been on one for a number of years and came to me for some advice, because I am such an expert at dating! Ha! Well because I successfully dated I think and found my wonderful partner!

So I gave a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to a first date:

DO’s

Punctuality. Being on time is a sign of respect for your date and shows that you respect your date’s time. Punctuality sets the impression and the mood for the date. If you are going to be delayed, you should call ahead and let your date know what’s happening. If you don’t, your date may not think that you are keen and bad punctuality suggests that you cannot be relied on.

Facebook him. Looking him up could be very beneficial if conversations seem to come to a close. Knowing his interests and any mutual friends could be a good conversation starter if things start to head downhill. However, it’s probably best if you don’t let him know that you have been Facebook stalking him, some guys may find that a little creepy!

Act interested. If the date doesn’t seem like its heading in the right direction, then you could always end it early, but it is always polite to act interested in what your date is saying. The best way to do this is by making eye contact with your date.

Break the rules. Ok, so it’s not tradition for the girl to call first/ make the first move. But if you want to, then just do it! I can guarantee that he will appreciate it. It also shows that your keen and that you want something serious…

DON’T

Don’t start an argument. An argument is the all-time no-no of a first date. It is absolutely fine to have different opinions, just make sure that you simply agree to disagree. It might also be worth sticking to safe conversation topics if you don’t know the person very well, then you might not know how they will react to something heavy.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Ok, it’s a first date so you definitely need to avoid stereotyping and assumptions at all costs. It’s not fair to assume what he/she is saying. If you need clarifications you should simply ask, subtly.

Leave your ex at home. The ex-boy/girlfriend stories may amusing or funny, but spare your date from these on a first date. Talking about an ex on your first date will suggest that your head is not in the right place.

Never criticise! This is the worst possible thing that you can do on your first date, it instantly kills the mood and instantly says that you are not interested.

When looking at other people’s relationships it’s hard not to judge however, you can never really know the truth about that relationship, after all the only people who know about their relationship are those in. Constantly people judge celebrity’s relationship, on a daily basis some famous person ‘A’ list or not will have their relationship commented on by the press and we mere mortals can often ourselves be quite judgemental.

I have found myself falling foul of this thought mainly when it comes to my friends love life’s and who they are dating, normally though an opinion is formed because they ask me for it, so I can’t take the blame fully. I try not to judge but it’s hard not to, especially when I may not be 100% keen on their latest partner, because they don’t fit my mould of what I think my friends partners should be.

People are constantly judged on who they date, or how they find their partners, online dating for a lot of people is considered somewhat of a joke between those who haven’t tried it. Other situations where you can be judged in dating are age of your spouse. For example, men seemed to be cheered for snaring younger or young women whereas with women it’s a bit of a joke. For example the terms used to describe an older lady dating a younger guy:

Cougar defined as: a predatory 40+ female in pursuit of juvenile male
Cheetah defined as: a woman in her 30s who is dating a man in his 20s.
Puma defined as: a woman who is too young to be a cougar, but is older than the man she is dating.

I can’t understand why they even bothered with the term puma, in this day and age why does it matter if a women is older than the man she is dating especially when it’s only a couple of years?

There are several conflicting versions of the origin of the T-shirt. In one, it is a descendent of the 19th century ‘union suit’, one half of the original one-piece undergarment.  Another story has the shirt originating with Britain’s Royal Navy.  Sleeves were added to their tank top-like work shirts prior to a royal inspection, underarms not being considered an appropriate sight for royalty. 

In any event, the classic pull-on, no button T shirt we know today is said to have made its debut as an item of military apparel, possibly around the time of the Spanish-American War, ultimately becoming standard issue for US Army and Navy personnel.  Inexpensive, easy to fit and easy to clean, T-shirts were comfortable to wear in the heat.  They became practical, popular work wear for miners, farm workers and other labourers.

T shirt printing seems to have begun in the 1940s but only for children’s shirts featuring characters such as Roy Rogers and Davy Crockett.  The T-shirt did not enter mainstream, adult fashion until the 1950s.  It was popularised by returning WWII veterans, with a little help from Hollywood.  Marlon Brando in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause” startled the viewing public by modelling T shirts as casual outer wear rather than underwear.

From the late 60s onwards, improved inks, transfers and print processes have made T-shirts not only a fashion item but also an entirely new medium of expression, with the addition of text and images.  Today’s T-shirt printing technology allows you to cheaply create a single unique garment or order a thousand and you can even do it online, Adlogo is an online printing company who use a wide range of printing methods giving you plenty of choice.

I am visiting a relative in Edinburgh this weekend and am planning on getting her a gift for the weekend. Although I have been to Edinburgh before I’m still not sure where the best shops are. I want to get a nice potted plat display so will need a florist. Luckily I can use City Visitor to find florists in Edinburgh that can easily find.

There is nothing worse than running all around a city I’m not sure how to really get around, but luckily I can set my sat nav to the address park nearby and easily get my flowers, (which I have also pre-ordered on their website. Perfect.

I was lucky this weekend, for the first time in what seems ages we had great weather, which was lucky as I threw a summer party. So thankfully no rain meant it went off without a hitch! Whilst the weather was good I also took time out on Sunday to take a nice walk before stopping off at a local pub for a spot of Sunday lunch. Can’t beat a Yorkshire pudding with yummy beef, lots of veg, roasties and plenty of gravy to beat a hangover!

I spent the rest of Sunday evening/night slobbed out in front of the TV, watching the last in the series of Top Gear, gutted now, especially as they had Louie Walsh on who said XFactor is starting again soon, up until Xmas! Argh I’m not a fan of XFactor so having to put up with friends who love it and the continuous coverage in the press will yet again get on my nerves!

On a final not I must mention I enjoyed seeing highlights from this year other Royal Wedding, it was such a Lovely day in Edinburgh for Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall I was glad they didn’t experience the wet weather I normally do when I’m up there. I thought Zara looked ever so pretty and Mark didn’t half scrub up well.

Unfortunately for the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate the press seemed far to intent of picking up the fact that she wore an outfit that she has worn before. I don’t see the big deal, it’s nice to get plenty of use out of your favourite outfits, plus I’m sure the press would ‘have a go’ if she was never seen in the same thing twice, no doubt then she would be deemed as wasteful! I think it’s great that she re-wears some outfits, most of them are classic pieces so it makes sense to keep onto them.

I’m hoping the weather for this weekend is going to be okay as I am throwing a summer party for my friends and family, to celebrate a couple of birthdays and a wedding anniversary which are all around this month.  At the moment the weather seems to be looking like it could be sunny however it’s not looking too warm. Still just in case I have hired a small marquee for the food and drinks to shelter under and guests.

The summer wouldn’t be the same without a BBQ so I have dusted mine off after a year in hibernation and pre made lots of burgers as well as sorting out and par cooking chicken bits that I have marinated. I also bought lots of little nibbles and dips for people to snack on, as well as traditional party favourites; sausage roll, cocktail sausages and mini quiches.

I will also be serving some deserts too, such as jelly and ice cream and my favourite trifle. I have also borrowed my friends chocolate fountain so I am looking forward to seeing how that goes down with everyone.

For drinks I have asked everyone to BYO; however I will be serving some Pims as well as a non-alcoholic fruit cocktail. I’ve learnt in the past not to use my own glasses, and hiring is expensive so I have bought a load of plastic glasses for the occasion. Don’t worry though I will recycle them after the party.

I have also bought some summer bunting for the garden which is made out of recycled paper as well as some cute paper lanterns. My DIY lighting includes jam jars with tea lights inside, for the tables and also to hang off branches, which required some wire around the top of the jars. Nice, simple and effective, especially when the rest of the decorations are provided for by the flowers in my garden, so I haven’t had to spend too much money.

One of my friends runs their own jam making business, it’s locally based using mainly local ingredients and I just love all their jams. So when I was asked if I could help out at the Yorkshire Show on their stall, for free jam I couldn’t say no. I normally go to the Great Yorkshire Show which runs from Tuesday 12 to Thursday 14 July 2011 just as a visitor so it will be a bit of a change working on a stall.

One of my tasks was to sort out some t-shirts for everyone working to wear, so we could be easily recognisable, luckily I have experience with t shirt printing so it wasn’t a problem. The problem was my friend only told me on Wednesday night about wanting t-shirts with logo’s on so that gave me just under a week to sort it out. Luckily Adlogo, the online printing company I like to use, have a 48hr express service which means the t-shirts arrived yesterday. In plenty of time for the show!

I’m hoping that I will have some time to explore the show, whilst I am working and I really hope the weather stays good, fingers crossed!

Recently there have been various news items relating to Cheryl Cole being rumoured to have been meeting up with her ex-husband Ashley Cole and even talk in the press that they may get together because she wants to have his babies! After all the publicity and sympathy she got when he cheated on her will be lost if she goes back to him, in fact the press were kind to her then however they can change in an instant and she may lose respect and even fans if she does get back with him. However at the moment this is only speculation and I hope she see’s sense and realise there is someone else out there for her, I only hope she is just feeling a bit lonely that’s all and it will pass.

This got me thinking about my own friends, one of whom seems to be drifting back to an ex-boyfriend who did not treat her well, currently she says she is lonely and finding it hard to find someone new and is seeing her ex because well its easy and she knows it. Unfortunately she seems to have forgotten all the tears shed when he cheated on her and then was very nasty to her and although it can be hard dating I don’t think she should give up and go back to him.

I’ve tried explaining to her what could happen if they get back together, she is adamant that things will be different this time and that going out and dating just isn’t for her and neither is online dating. Even after all the time I spent putting her profile on Parship for her because she didn’t know what to do, she hasn’t really given online dating anytime. I have a feeling she wants an instant relationship without having to get to know anyone which is why I think she has gone back to what she knows, hopefully she will see sense and not go back however is she does, I hope for her sake things work out differently between them this time, and the same goes for Cheryl Cole.

As I have mentioned before I am going on holiday in a couple of weeks, (sorry for going on about, to those who aren’t lucky enough to go away, I don’t mean to rub it in) and I am looking at taking some funky t-shirts to for my friend and I to wear whilst we are away. However the only really funky designs I like are from US clothing brand Wildfox, unfortunately for holidays, their t-shirts are quite pricy.

So I have decided to look into t shirt printing to make my own funky t-shirts, taking inspiration from Wildfox designs, (not copying them obviously)I have come up with my own funky t-shirt designs, which I will get printed up for my friend and I ready for our hols. There are numerous places on the highstreet where you can get t-shirts printed, however where I work I couldn’t really find anywhere suitable and as I work most days I have decided to go with online printing company, Adlogo.

They have a great selection of clothing which they can print onto, in a wide range of sizes, so I can easily find something to fit us both. I am really quite excited about seeing the finished product, which won’t be long because Adlogo has a really quick turnaround time!

One of my friends are currently going through a bad break up, after seven years together she is finding the prospect  of being alone quite scary and although she is better off out of that relationship, it’s hard to pursued her that she is and to get back out there.

I suppose because the thought of dating is the last thing my friend wants to do, instead, curl away in a ball somewhere. I did suggest that she should in the future use an online dating website such as Parship to get back out there, especially if her confidence is knocked. The great thing about online dating is that you don’t have to go on the dates if you don’t feel comfortable yet, however you can have a look and see what’s out there until you’re ready.

Many people find it hard to get back into the dating game, no matter how long you were in a relationship for, especially if your confidence gets knocked, however there is help and advice available on dating sites which will give you a helping hand.