I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I know that I certainly did. Driving senior citizens around from one over-crowded store to another might not seem like fun. But it is what I did over the weekend. It was actually a great time and full of laughs.
After all of that, I spent the night catching up on the latest in fashion news, business, music, and everything in between. During my scrolling session, the question occurred to me; “Why do so many women want to be like Barbie?” The question came to me at that particular moment after scrolling past the third article where the writer was either comparing someone to Barbie. Or the person being interviewed was comparing themselves to Barbie. Real shit. This isn’t the first time this question has popped into my head. This is just the first time I’m asking you about it. But really, there are countless articles and posts out where celebrities (of any capacity) are said to be “channeling Barbie”. From hip hop artists to the everyday girls. You know the look…super straight, super long blonde hair, tiny waist and something pink. Then you have those who #Barbie on social media, others label themselves the (insert ethnicity here) Barbie. From plastic surgery to giving her a shoutout in a songs and videos…the list goes on and on. But why?!
Even as a little girl, I never had the desire to own a Barbie. She was never on my Christmas or Birthday list. I didn’t watch the Barbie cartoon, rock a t-shirt or anything like that. She just wasn’t for me. I didn’t know much of her then and can’t say that I know much more now. Besides that she debuted in the 50’s (although a black version was introduced YEARS later). She has held over 180 careers, which is certainly inspiring. But it explains how she has a waist of about 18” inches, if her measurements were realistic. Who has time to eat with all of those jobs?!
Young girls need someone to look up to. I get that. So, if Barbie inspired one to become a successful entrepreneur, who am I to say that she shouldn’t look up to her. I see no fault in that. But why are grown women doing the comparing, copying, surgeries, shout outs and all that? Does who you look up to change as you get older?! I mean a Barbie doll was created to look like Misty Copeland, too. But I’d much rather say that I admire Misty, a real person who actually made her dreams happen or a doll. No shade to Barbie, but am I missing something? School me, if I am!
Are you a Barbie-lover or no?! What are your thoughts on women going extra hard trying to be like her? Tell me your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk!
Unfortunately, at some point in our lives most of us have had some type of issue with our body. Rather its’ teenage acne, those arms that you worry jiggle too much, or the way you seem to think your ears stick out farther than they should. Most of us have been through it or are currently in the midst it. No matter what stage you’re in, one thing is for sure. It sucks!
With the new year right around the corner, now is a good time to prepare yourself in bringing in the new year on a positive note. So we reached out to an expert for some advice.
LisaBeasley, is a Mindful Eating Coach, who turned her life around after years of struggling with weight and self-esteem problems. She now teaches other women that its’ less about diets and more about loving yourself. What a perfect person to ask for advice from, wouldn’t agree?!
Here is what we asked and here’s what she said…
What struggles have you had with your body?
Where to start! I have spent much of my life feeling dissatisfied with my body. I grew up in the 70’s and my Mother was a big dieter, so I quickly learned how many calories were in the things I ate and learned from her eating behaviours that food was something to be controlled. I had quite an unhappy childhood, with my parents divorcing and my mum then remarried someone who was emotionally abusive and very controlling and I sought comfort in food. So, I would eat a lot to help me cope and as a result I put on weight. Thus made me feel bad about myself and ashamed so my body image struggles were about feeling ‘out of place’ and like I should ‘do better’-Eat better, diet better, be thinner and then I would feel better. Or at least, that’s what I thought at the time.
What made you want to change the way you viewed yourself?
It wasn’t an active choice at the time. I didn’t want to change the way I saw myself, I was just stuck IN the behaviour. I didn’t understand why I was overeating every evening and why I couldn’t just stick to a diet. I had a constant feeling of failure, of self loathing because I felt like there was something wrong with me. This went on for years and I eventually saw something online asking ‘do you wonder why you can’t stop eating?’ And ‘want to feel normal around food?’ and I started looking into Mindful Eating as a way to approach my eating behaviour. When I learned to Eat Mindfully, this had a massive impact on me. It meant I understood why I’d been eating the way I had been, then I understood that I wasn’t abnormal and that other people had the same issues. That gave me a big confidence boost. The accepting my body and my Body Image work came later for me. It stemmed from a realisation over time that actually, I’d been buying into the messages we are exposed to all the time from the media and the society we live in.
How did you overcome those obstacles?
A big factor in my learning to accept the body I have, rather than the body that I thought I ‘should’ have, was my involvement with Body Image Movement and the Body Image film ‘Embrace’. This is a very powerful film that exposes all the myths we are told about what we should be striving for as women and it was hugely powerful for me. This is why I am still holding screenings of the film- to get the message out to as many people as possible. So, I saw the film, and I started to immerse myself in more Body Positive works. I read a lot of Body Positive material, I’ve been on Body Acceptance conferences, I hang out in Body Positive social media circles. I have also learnt to question the thoughts that still pop up from time to time for me. If I catch a negative thought, I notice and I reframe it. I remind myself that the women we see in magazines aren’t real- that the image may start with a real person but then they are altered digitally, retouched, bits are erased and skin ‘flaws’ are removed or lightened. The final image often bears no relation to what the model looks like in the first place. When you realise that you are being sold a lie, that you don’t have to conform to what society says is ‘ideal’ it sets you free.
What keeps you motivated?
I dont need motivation. Motivation feels to me, like something you need to force yourself to do something you don’t want to do. I’m not on a diet, so I don’t need motivation. I listen to my body and I move it (‘exercise’) it to feel good. I like to feel good about myself. Now I eat Mindfully (most of the time!) and I have sorted out a lot of my negative thought patterns around my body, so I feel good. In fact, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.
If you mean what keeps me motivated to do my work? Motivation isn’t a problem. This is my life’s work, my passion. I know what a life changing gift Mindful Eating and Body Positivity have been for me and I have no choice other than to share it. This is important. It changes lives and helps us develop to our true potential.
What tips would you give others that also struggle with this issue?
For people who are struggling with their bodies,
1. Go and see ‘Embrace’. I did this and it was a total game changer for me.
2. If you are eating in a way that doesn’t make you feel good about yourself, get some help.
3. STOP dieting and start listening to your body as it can guide you about what and how to eat.
4. Remember, the images you see aren’t real.
5. Start questioning the narrative around weight and dieting. Think about what your life could be like if you didn’t worry about your weight and your size. What else could you do with your thoughts and your life?
If you want to keep up with Lisa, you can get more information on her blog. Have you struggled or have you struggled with body issues? Share your thoughts on these tips or share your own in the comments…
Last week, I shared with you that I went to Denver for a birthday trip which turned into a fashion inspiration trip. I like to make a big deal of my born day and this year was no exception. So, in addition to taking a roadtrip to Denver, I wanted to kick it up a notch.
As another way to celebrate, I created a fitness challenge to workout every single day for the 39 days leading up to my birthday. Exercise has been apart of my life for almost two decades. No really, my routine for almost two decades is to hit the gym and exercise for 4 to 5 days a week. I’m so used to it that 39 straight days sounded like nothing. Additionally, my fiancé (who was only a few months into beginning his own exercise journey) was along for the ride. The final day was to be a hike up a huge mountain in Denver. Here is how it went.
Day 1:
Week 1 & Week 2 was a breeze. We hit the gym around 6pm Monday through Friday like clockwork. The first week, we did our usual routine. (45 minutes of cardio on the treadmill 2 days/week, 30 minutes of cardio with 20 minutes of strength training 2 days/week, weights only on 1 day/week, 4-5 mile park run on one day of the weekend, &, HIIT on the other weekend day.
Week 3 we changed it up and added hiking in on one of the days. By the end of week 3, the conversations on our 5 minute to the gym changed. It used to be about what we were going to do after the gym or what happened at work earlier in the day. The convo changed to, “My hip hurts, I can run on an incline today” or “Did you put the menthol cream on your leg so it will stop hurting?” and even, “Let’s get this shit over with”. One break day was all we needed, but we had to push through.
Week 4 had it’s highs and lows. Although, we were dying to take a day off, we also found so much pride in knowing that we’d come to far to turn around. One of the days during this week 4, I had menstrual cramps so bad that Midol wouldn’t take them away. This was on the same date that my fiancé had shin splints so bad that he spent the night before staying up late looking for ways to make the pain go away. We both wanted to lay on the couch and lay around so bad. But instead of doing that, we waited until around 8pm when it finally started to cool off a bit. And we took a slow and steady 3 miles walk around our neighborhood.
The last 3 days was a challenge. Not because we were sore on every part of our body (because we were ). But planning for a road trip from Texas to Colorado meant we had to make sure the car was road trip approved by getting tires, oil change, etc. Planning, packing, and figuring out how to exercise while on the road.
Day 36we left Texas at 8am and finally arrived in Denver around 9:30pm. Traveling in my workout gear was a good idea. Because after checking into a hotel, we dropped our bags in the room and knew what we had to do. So, we found ourselves running 3 miles around downtown Denver at 10pm. It was exhilarating!
Day 37, we woke up in Denver and I was ready to hit the hills. Look, I enjoy day drinking while on vacation. The only way I could start early was to work out even earlier. Which is why, we were at the center of downtown Denver running like a maniac with the rest of the early morning runners and cyclists. I have to admit the elevation did affect our breathing on the run. At some points the tightness was real but we continued to push through.
Red Rocks AmphitheaterRed Rocks Park
Day 38, was even better than I expected. I woke up super early to find out the hiking hot spots so we can be at the top of someones mountain before noon. After much scrolling, we decided on Red Rock Canyon. After a winding drive to Red Rock, we hiked up a bit to find a mecca for fitness people. The Red Rocks were amazing and the views breathtaking. Lucky for us, there was no event going on at the auditorium portion. We walked around the corner into the auditorium to find people of all shapes, colors, and athletic levels exercising their hearts out. Running up the stairs, tricep dips off the seats, even burpees up and down the auditorium. I got dizzy just looking at it! But we were no exception. Push-ups, jump-ups, sit-ups, leg presses…we did a complete burn under the Colorado sun, right in the middle of the mountains. It was absolutely amazing!!!
I wish I could give you detail on our exact pound and inches lost. But I’ve had a habit from a long time ago of staying away from the scale. I exercise and eat pretty healthy. Stepping on a scale each week isn’t going to do anything but make me neurotic about a number. And since I don’t know what that number is…I decide to not bother with it. I go based on how I feel, how my clothes feel, and how I feel about what I see in the mirror…period. But I can say for sure that we both dropped pounds, inches, and became much stronger. My #39daysweatchallenge helped to support my idea even more that I can do anything I put my mind to. Just take it one day at a time…fearlessy.
The next challenge has already started and it involves pull ups. I will let you know how it goes. Have you put yourself through a challenge and what was the outcome? Let me know in the comments…
Spend your last $20 on bae this weekend with these budget-friendly date ideas.
📸: Alejandro Salinas
#1 – Put $20 in the tank and hit the road. You don’t have to drive out of town. Ride around in neighborhoods to check out mansions and other jaw dropping properties. It will inspire the two of you (if nothing else).
📸: Anne Preble
#2 – Visit a Farmers Market. I’ve never visited one that didn’t have a great vibe. Plus, there’s more to it than shopping for fruits & veggies. Lots of vendors usually offer samples and its actually a fun time.
📸: Blake Lisk
#3 – Invite your favorite couple over and play a ol’ school game. Advise them its B.Y.OB.
📸: Bonnie Kittle
#4 – Pack a picnic basket and head out to the park. Don’t forget the bubbly! 🍾
📸: Christopher Sardegna
#5 – Start your day off with an early morning workout and follow it with coffee and light breakfast.
📸: Kashmir | Death To Stock
#6 – Dress up and head to an art museum. If you look ahead, you will find some that have no entry fee.
📸: Giulia Bertelli
#7 – Create a playlist that makes you move. Then, you can spend the morning dancing around and going through old clothes in your closet and drawers. Decide on what to keep and what to give to away. You two can spend the $20 on lunch after dropping off your donation.
📸: Ian Dooley
#8 – Pamper eachother with at-home spa treatments. You will find inexpensive single size packets of different facial scrubs, foot soaks, masks and more at a beauty supply or drug store.
#9 – Tour your city. Living there doesn’t mean you’ve seen everything. Make a list of free things to see in your city; landmarks, wall art, parks, etc. Then go visit!
📸: Jens Kreuter
#10 – Watch eachothers all-time favorite movies. Spend the $20 on movie snacks.
📸: Maarten Van Den Heuvel
#11 – You might be surprised to see how romantic it is to lounge by the pool with good music playing.
📸: Toa Heftiba
#12 – Find a new recipe. After you have shopped for all of the needed items; assign a chef and sous chef. Bon Appetit!
📸: Toa Heftiba
#13 – Go to the grocery store or candy store to buy various candies, fruits, etc. Take turns blindfolding eachother, feed them and they have to correctly guess what they are tasting. (Recreate the scene in the movie; 9 1/2 Weeks)
📸: Kai Oberhauser
#14 – Have a lip sync battle…costume and all. You can find song lyrics online.
Which one sounds like your kind of date? Have a great weekend bombshells!
If you are in a relationship, you know all about date night. Hopefully, it sounds at least vaguely familiar. Let’s keep it real, making time for eachother is super important. But after settling into a long relationship, how does a girl continue to keep it popping and fresh for her man? The concept is alot easier than you might think. At least it will be after you see these super, simple ways to change it up and always make date night the right night.
#1 – Change your lipstick color. If he is used to seeing you in chapstick or light colors, switch it up! A bold color will definitely turn his head.
(Tip: Go with a long wearing brand so that you won’t make his lips red, too.)
#4 – Wear Pink. Pink is associated with being sweet, nice, romantic, charming, feminine, and tender. It is often referred to as the color of universal love of oneself and of others!
@economyofstyle wearing choker from Blue Labels Boutique
# 5 – Rock a unique accessory. Necklaces and hoop earrings are fine but change it up with accessories that have a reputation for being sexy. Such as a body harness or body chain. Even a strappy bralette or a simple choker will do the trick.
Old Tee | Leather Wrap Skirt | Minkoff Clutch | Madden Booties | Sunglasses
#6 – Raid his closet. Wear something of his and make it your own. Convert one of his old tees into a crop top. Or tie one of his shirts around your waist over a mini dress.
📸 – Mike Wilson
# 7– Change up your hair. Try out a new wig, extensions, temporary hair color. They are fun and temporary. Why not be a red head for the night?
See it’s easy peesy! Have you tried any of these? What tip would share?
It was recently announced that Blue Labels Boutique is now a dress boutique. Moving forward you will find the best styles of dresses, skirts, and accessories. We are growing and adding new dress styles each week and I couldn’t be more excited! To be honest, it was originally the plan to open as a dress boutique but at the last minute, I changed my mind. Damn fear. But after much thought, I decided it was time to change the game and go with my original plan. I have ALWAYS loved dresses. Dresses and skirts have been my go to style for every occasion for as long as I can remember. You will often find me on Saturday mornings in a mini with a pair of sneakers at my nephews basketball game. Or a maxi with sky high wedges while on a shopping trip with my boo.
“You’re always overdressed”
is something that I’ve heard from my older brother more times than I can count. But some people just don’t get it, poor guy.
Since you will now be able to shop a curated collection of some of the most stylish and classic styles in the game, it would only be right to give you some reasons to take your pants off, right?!
Here are 10 reasons :
Dresses let air flow, pants don’t. The heat gets REAL when you’re having a day out especially in areas like Texas. Having a day out means that there will be times you will be pretty much begging for some air. The sweat stains alone give me nightmares. A summer breeze in the right places are just what a girl needs on a hot day. Only a dress can make that happen.
Jeans aren’t meal friendly. Who doesn’t have those dinner dates when you decide to go extra hard on the chips and guacamole? Now, those are the days a billowy dress is made for!
Processed with VSCO with g3 preset
Dresses can easily go from casual to dressy by changing your shoes. Tennis shoes and flats say casual but throw on a pair of heels. It will instantly change the game.
Dresses take up less space in your bag. Most of us, plan on taking some sort of trip this season. Jeans and trousers require a coordinating pieces, right? That means more space taken up in your bag. Avoid those ridiculously high baggage fees by packing dresses. You will have more outfit options on your vacay. Plus, the airlines don’t charge for carryons…yet.
You can pick length options based on your mood. Are you feeling a mini, midi, or maxi today?
📸 – Samuel Dixon
It has been proven, kind of, that dresses brings more boys to the yard. The Express Tribunepoll is just one example of reports that support this.
📸 – Blubel
Some dresses are magic. I’m not kidding! One of my favorite designers, DVF, created absolute body magic when she created the wrap dress. This silhouette (and others that pull you in at the waist) will create an hourglass shape unlike any other style. If you don’t have one then let me ask you, “What are you waiting for?”
Two words…skinny jeans. Don’t get me wrong, I love a great pair of skinny jeans like everyone else. Hell, they are one of the reasons why I go to the gym 4x’s a week. But they aren’t exactly what I would call comfortable. Let’s be honest, I cringe even thinking about wearing them when I’m having one of those days. I’d much rather be in a button up sneakers. How ‘bout you?
Are you a dress lover? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
The transition from wearing flats or sneakers as a little girl to wearing high heels is a definite right of passage. It’s a life changing event that takes you from girl to grown ass woman. Like going from training bra to Victoria Secret. Or from clear chapstick to colored lipstick. I’m talking serious fashion milestones here! When I was younger, I would scroll through pages and pages of fashion magazines admiring the models shoe game. Just dying for the day to do the same thing. Around 13, my mom decided that I was “grown enough” to start wearing heels. That same day, I ran to the mall, allowance in hand, in search of the tallest high heels that I could find. I still laugh at the amount of time that I practiced walking around the house until I made my debut to the world. Once I perfected, I hit the ground running…literally. Nowadays, shopping for 8 hours, carrying around a niece or nephew, chasing someone down (😏) all gets done in heels. Which is why I’ve given myself the title of being a Stiletto Specialist.
You’ve seen women who are tip-toeing, limping, crawling, and hopping their way in high heels. And if that someone is you, don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. It has to stop. Take note of these four major keys to rocking high heels:
🔑 #1: Get your size, not someone elses’ – That horrible feeling when you see a pair that you really want but they only have size 7 and you need an 8 is enough to buy them anyway. But don’t do it. No matter how much they have reduced the price. Obviously, there won’t be any strutting going on if the shoes don’t fit. Try them on. Keep in mind that your feet will naturally shift a bit forward as you walk. Make sure there’s enough room for your toes to twinkle and they aren’t rubbing the back of your heel.
🔑 #2: Break ’em in – Shoes get even more comfortable when they have a bit of wear on them. Strut them around the house to break them in before taking them for a spin outside. Or try using a shoe stretcher.
🔑 #3: Balance Your Lady Lumps – Heels basically make you walk on the balls of your feet. And even on your tip toes in some cases. Which makes posture a major key! Shoulders back, tummy pulled in, and booty poked out is ideal. It will help to keep you centered and balanced too. No wobbling for you.
🔑 #4: Be confident – Confidence is a major key when it comes to doing anything. Because if you don’t believe it, no one else will.
Share these tips and let’s stop wobbling women everywhere! Are you a Stiletto Specialist? Share a tip!
There is a distinct difference in being called pretty and actually feeling pretty. You can receive compliments from the moment you leave the house until the moment you return. That doesn’t mean that you feel it. And if there’s one thing this fashionista knows is that you have to believe it to achieve it. There is a great sense of security and confidence that comes when feel like you look good. You walk around the room with you head higher, shoulders back more with a bigger smile. Feeling pretty gives you the confidence to put yourself on full display. No amount of compliments or wedding proposals will do it!
Think about it this way…it would be very difficult for a person to stand in front of a room full of people and give a speech, for instance, if they didn’t feel confident. Their insecurities would show through to the audience like a chiffon top. That is one reason why feeling it is so important.
That thing differs depending on the person. It might be your LBD you wear on special occasions or your first pair of leather stilettos. For me, it is red lipstick. No matter what I’m wearing or how bad of a hair day I’m having, popping red lips always make me feel sexy and confident.
So, we asked four women “What’s the one thing that makes you feel pretty no matter what?” and here’s what they said:
The one piece in my wardrobe that makes me feel absolutely beautiful and comfortable is a bodysuit. Bodysuits have a way of making me feel completely dressed in very little effort, no need to worry about tucking in or worrying about fixing your top because it always stays in place. This piece has the power to compliment your body like nothing else and mixes and matches with most of your wardrobe. Getting dressed in a haste is fun again especially when you feel good. Try a bodysuit and you won’t regret it!
– Jacqueline Davis Moranti
fashion blogger/designer, IG: @jdavismoranti
I have a bright fuchsia maxi dress that I adore. It’s a maternity one so it’s saw me through two different pregnancies, and I can still wear it after baby too. It’s one of those pieces that no matter how big my belly is it always flatters, looks great and is a wonderful colour on me! Here is a pic of me wearing it (and feeling great!) at 39 weeks pregnant with my second boy.
– Mica
blogger; awayfromtheblue.blogspot.au
I recently found a quote from the beautiful and classy Sophia Loren,
‘Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical’.
I embarked on a question of my own life and if it had become too jumbled. With over 34 years of working in the hair and beauty industry, it makes sense to have insight in what makes you feel pretty. The power of the hairdresser to transform a client and their inner beauty is a super power that only a hairdresser can really understand. Every day we are working with our clients and our focal point is to make them feel pretty and look beautiful. The business of feeling pretty on the inside is a skill that takes many years to perfect. As a hairdresser it is important to be excellent listeners and remember to pay attention to the details. We have numerous clients that come in to see us when their inner beauty simply needs a reset. As hairdressers it brings us joy to see our clients transform in front us as we perform our services and without a doubt you see it in their eyes and it’s not uncommon we get tears of joy when they depart a truly emotional expression of their inner beauty glowing with physical prettiness. Go see your hairdresser and be touched by their super powers of making you look and feel pretty.
-Susana Montero
Managing Director of La Unica Salon
Both sets of my pearls are very sentimental to me! My brother whom is a veteran gave me these pearl earrings on arriving home from a deployment overseas. My bracelet was given to me for my 30th birthday by my beautiful friends as I was having a particularly rough time, recovering from a car accident. I was in a wheelchair for several years, this photo was taken two weeks ago during a photo shoot for my upcoming book, ‘Shine Your Light!’ I love wearing my pearls! They make me so happy as they were given to me with so much love! <3
– Stephanie Russell-Farnham
Author of, “Shine Your Light!”
It doesn’t matter what it is, just make sure you have the one piece that you can always count on! What’s the one thing that makes you feel pretty no matter what?
Stay Fearless 💋
Don’t forget that you can always shop BLB when looking for something new.
Whether it’s a first date or date number 1,099…date nights are important. Would you agree? For instance, when you’re meeting someone for the first time it’s all about what events take place. Sure, you can go on a blind date to the movies but how do you get to know someone when you’re in a no talking zone?
But what about when you’ve been with someone for a while? Movies and dinner are a given. I mean, in 12 years of being with my boo, if we haven’t done anything else…we’ve seen alot of movies and ate a lot of food! There’s always a new movie coming out or a new restaurant opening. There’s no lack of opportunities in that area. But in order to keep things solid for the long haul, a girl has to get creative!
Here are 13 (budget-friendly) date ideas where eating is optional and dark rooms with movies playing aren’t allowed.
Buzzed Biking – Instead of going to a restaurant for mimosas at brunch, take them on the road! Mix a mimosa in a cup with lid or thermos, take your bikes to a park, and take turns sipping while you bike around. The laughter will be endless and so will the sweat on your t-shirt. But don’t go too hard, you still have to drive home.
2. Fill up the tank. Drive around and window shop for dream homes in your city. Making future goals for bigger and better will ignite serious bonding time.
3. Play his video game or watch his team. If you Bae is a gamer, then nothing will make him more happy than you sitting down and partaking in one of his games. They will appreciate your interest (even if you could really care less). The same works if they can’t leave the couch because their favorite team is playing. Make it even more interesting by making a friendly wager.
📷 by Maarten Van Den Heuvel
4. Be a big kid again. Break out the board game. You are never too old to play an ol’ skool board game. There’s nothing more fun than some friendly competition.
📷 by Trent Hancock
5. Saddle Up – There are many ranches and beach areas that offer one hour of horseback riding for a reasonable rate. Horseback riding can be quite romantic.
6. Hiking – You don’t have to have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in order to consider yourself a hiker. Search for hiking trails in your area and get ready to see nature. Don’t forget the water, a hat, and good tennis shoes. Meet fellow hikers and see scenery from a whole ‘nother perspective. Play music that keeps you going or listen to a podcast that you never got a chance to hear. By the time you make it back to the car, you will be sweaty yet somehow relaxed. Plus, you might just find that the views alone are so worth it.
📷 by Sérgio Alves Santos
7. Meet for happy hour. After a long day of work, sometimes a couple just needs a cocktail or two, to decompress. This is the perfect time to do just that. For the most part, drinks are inexpensive. Sit at the bar, laugh and discuss the days stress, then leave it right there at the bar. There’s no use in taking in home.
8. Explore your creative side. Theatrical plays, spoken word, art galleries and museums are a fun way to learn about something new. Whether you get something out of it or not, it will surely make for some interesting conversation. Plus, you can consider this your chance to dress super girly. You will never be too overdressed, trust me. 😏
9. Take It Out All On Him With Paintball – Burn calories, laugh like crazy and strategize on how to take him down! But let me tell you, it hurts when you get hit. I don’t care how “soft” the pellets are supposed to be. Nevertheless, its a date you won’t forget if you don’t mind mixing pain with pleasure.
10. Take a day or weekend to getaway. A quick trip to a close by city can definitely give you a much needed surge of energy for the upcoming week. And to make it even more interesting, why not tool around the city in something different? Turo, can help that dream come try with their peer-to-peer car rental. They have a unique selection of both classic and rare cars available to rent. Ever wanted to know what it’s like to drive around in a convertible or a retro van that reminds you of the Scooby Doo days? You just might be able to find out.
11. A couple that sweats together, sticks together. Sign up for a new fitness class and make it a date. There’s so many different trends out there when it comes to fitness these days. Silk ropes, bootcamps, spinning, boxing,..the options are endless. Before heading home, stop by a juice shop.
12. Take it from A to Z. Write out all of the letters in the alphabet on a piece of paper, fold up each piece and put them in a ziplock bag. Each month take turns pulling a letter. The puller must plan a date that corresponds with the letter. Things can get very creative! Can you imagine pulling Z?!
13. Graffiti Search – Although illegal in some areas, I’ve found graffiti to be one of the coolest forms of expression out there. The vibrate colors, unique names, various points of views, etc. Of course, you will see it more in some areas than others but searching is all part of the fun. Graffiti can make for amazing backgrounds and unique photo ops. Your IG feed will be happy too!
You enjoy eating a nice meal that you didn’t have to cook or catching a movie that actually has a good ending. Who doesn’t?! But at least now you have 13 date ideas that will keep you out of the restaurants and movie theater when you’re not in the mood. Have a budget-friendly date idea? Share it!
