Ah, there's nothing quite like the thrill of planning a perfect date. Whether it's your first or your tenth together, we all understand that the venue choice can be the ultimate game-changer, shaping the entire mood of the evening. Yet, with countless options available, it's natural to feel a tad overwhelmed. That's why I've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the dos and don'ts of picking the perfect date spot, ensuring a magical and unforgettable time with your special someone. Grab a glass of wine, and let's dive in...

The Do's:

1. Consider Preferences: Take into account your date's interests and preferences. Are they food enthusiasts, a wine lover, are they like me and love a good dive bar ? Tailoring the venue to their tastes shows thoughtfulness and consideration.
2. Atmosphere Matters: Opt for a venue with a welcoming ambiance conducive to conversation and connection. Whether it's a dimly lit wine bar or a tranquil botanical garden, the right atmosphere sets the stage for a romantic evening.
3. Accessibility: Choose a location that is easily accessible for both you and your date. Consider factors such as proximity, parking availability, and public transportation options to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
4. Conversation-Friendly: Select a spot conducive to meaningful conversation. Avoid venues with excessive noise levels or distractions that may hinder communication and intimacy.
5. Budget Wisely: Be mindful of your budget when selecting a date spot. You don't need to break the bank to have a memorable time. There are plenty of affordable yet charming options available.

The Don'ts:

1. Overcomplicate Things: While it's great to impress your date, avoid choosing overly elaborate or extravagant spots that might come off as trying too hard. Keep it simple and focus on enjoying each other's company.
2. Ignore Dietary Restrictions: If your date has dietary restrictions or preferences, be mindful when selecting a restaurant. Choose a place with diverse menu options to accommodate everyone's needs.
3. Forget the Budget: While splurging on a fancy dinner can be tempting, make sure it aligns with both your and your date's budget expectations. It's about the experience, not the price tag.
4. Underestimate the Power of Research: Take the time to research potential date spots, read reviews, and gather recommendations from friends or locals. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring a memorable experience.
5. Neglect the Details: Pay attention to the little details that can make or break the date, such as cleanliness, service quality, and overall ambiance. It's the small things that can leave a lasting impression.

Are you still struggling to find that ideal spot for your date night? Fear not my babe, because at First Rounds On Me, we've got you covered ! Our innovative in-app feature allows you to explore a wide range of options, from trendy hot spots to charming cafes, all conveniently within the app. What's more, our app offers stellar suggestions of the most popular places in your neighborhood, making the decision-making process a breeze and ensuring you'll never run out of fantastic date ideas. So, say goodbye to the days of stressing over where to go or what to do. With just a few taps, you can select your location, specify the time, and choose your preferred drink, then let our app handle the rest. Gone are the days of overthinking – with First Rounds On Me, planning the perfect date is as easy as a few taps on your phone!

Choosing the perfect date spot is more than just a location— it becomes the ideal backdrop for fostering romance, deepening connections, and creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. By following these do's and don'ts and utilizing in app tools with First Rounds On Me, you can ensure a magical and unforgettable date night experience. Until next time darlings, Happy Dating x

HJF for First Rounds On Me

Embarking on a first date is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. As the anticipation builds, it's natural to want to put your best foot forward and ensure that everything goes smoothly. That's where pre-date preparation come in. These intentional practices can help calm nerves, boost confidence, and set the stage for a successful encounter. So, in today's blog, we'll explore a range of pre-date rituals designed to help you feel your best and ensure you make a positive impression. Grab a glass of wine, and let's dive in...

Prepare Mentally: Before diving into the logistics of grooming and outfit selection, take some time to prepare mentally. Start by visualizing the date going well. Picture yourself engaging in lively conversation, sharing laughter, and connecting with your potential match. Visualizing success can help alleviate anxiety and instill confidence.

Setting the Stage: Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to cultivate the right mindset. Embrace the excitement of the unknown and view the date as an opportunity for connection and growth. Remember, it's not about impressing your date with a perfect performance but rather about being authentic and engaging.

Mindful Preparation: Start by setting aside time to focus on yourself. Engage in activities that boost your confidence and leave you feeling refreshed, whether it's hitting the gym, practicing mindfulness, or indulging in a favorite hobby. Prioritize self-care to ensure you're in the best possible headspace.

Wardrobe Selection: Your outfit sets the tone for the evening and plays a significant role in how you feel. Choose attire that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and true to yourself. Opt for clothing that highlights your personality while also considering the venue and occasion. Remember, confidence is the ultimate accessory.

Conversation Preparation: While spontaneity is key to a lively conversation, a bit of preparation can go a long way. Brush up on current events, interesting topics, and thought-provoking questions to keep the conversation flowing smoothly. Avoid rehearsed lines and instead focus on genuine curiosity and active listening.

Managing Expectations: Expectations can either propel us forward or hold us back. Be mindful of any preconceived notions or unrealistic ideals you may be harboring. Approach the date with an open mind and a willingness to embrace whatever unfolds. Remember, the goal is not perfection but rather connection.

Addressing Nerves: It's natural to feel nervous before a date, but don't let those jitters overshadow the experience. Practice deep breathing exercises, visualization techniques, or mindfulness meditation to calm your nerves and center yourself. Remind yourself that it's okay to be nervous and that you're capable of handling whatever comes your way.

Final Touches: In the hours leading up to the date, focus on finalizing the details. Confirm the time and location with your date, double-check your transportation arrangements, and ensure you have everything you need for the evening. Take a moment to freshen up and reaffirm your confidence before stepping out the door.

Mastering the art of pre-date preparation is about more than just looking the part – it's about cultivating confidence, managing expectations, and embracing the journey of connection. By taking the time to prepare mind, body, and spirit, you can approach your next date with grace, ease, and a sense of empowerment. So, take a deep breath, trust in yourself, and step into the spotlight with confidence. The dating stage is yours, and the possibilities are endless. Until next time x

HJF for First Rounds On Me

In today's fast-paced world, the modern woman is a force to be reckoned with, effortlessly conquering boardrooms and shattering glass ceilings. But amidst her relentless pursuit of success, how does she manage to carve out proper time for her love life? Fear not, my fellow powerhouses, because there's a secret weapon in your arsenal: the calendar invite feature on First Rounds On Me. Yes, you read that right. Your dating app game just got a serious upgrade, and it's about to revolutionize the way you manage your love life. Grab a glass of wine, and let's dive in...

As corporate girlies, we're masters of the balancing act, seamlessly juggling career ambitions with romantic aspirations. We embody modern femininity – empowered, ambitious, and unapologetically passionate about both our careers and our potential romances. We reject the outdated notion that success must come at the expense of love, proving that we can thrive in both spheres simultaneously, without compromise.

But let's face it – even the most empowered women can struggle to find time for meaningful connections amidst the chaos of professional life. So, how does a fiercely independent woman maintain her confidence and autonomy in a world that often pressures her to choose between her career and her romantic pursuits ? Enter First Rounds On Me, the dating app designed with the busy boss babe in mind.

In my humble opinion, the calendar invite tool is our most ingenious tool, because it takes the pain out of scheduling those all-important first dates. Gone are the days of endless back-and-forth messages, the exhausting " I don't know, what do you want to do " conversations. With First Rounds On Me, you can effortlessly send and receive professional calendar invites directly through the app, complete with date, time, and location – because ain't nobody got time for playing phone tag. First Rounds On Me also gives us the option to take control by planning the date if we want, while still leaving plenty of room for chivalry. It's a modern twist on dating etiquette that perfectly aligns with our independent spirit.

But wait, there's more! Not only does First Rounds On Me streamline the scheduling process, but it also takes the guesswork out of choosing the perfect date spot. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy café or a swanky cocktail bar, the in-app location feature has got you covered. Simply select your preferred neighborhood or vibe, and let the app work its magic to find the ideal spot for your rendezvous – no Google Maps required.

Now, I know what you're thinking – can a dating app really help me balance my work and dating life without sacrificing one for the other? The answer, my friends, is a resounding yes! With First Rounds On Me, you can have your cake and eat it too – or should I say, have your corner office and your romantic tête-à-tête too.

Being a boss babe isn't just about climbing the corporate career ladder or making moves in the boardroom – it's about living life on your own terms, embracing your power, owning your worth and having a little help along the way. So go ahead, slay at work, crush it in your dating life, and remember to always stay true to yourself. Because when you're a boss babe, the world is yours for the taking – and love is just another adventure waiting to be conquered. Until next time x

HJF for First Rounds On Me

Fem-bait-ing: noun - The act of a man creating content that is disguised as understanding and empathizing with feminine issues in order to earn women's approval for personal gain. But why, oh why, do some folks feel the need to don the feminist cape when it suits them? Is it for the Instagram likes? The Twitter retweets? Or perhaps just a sneaky attempt to land a date? In today's blog, we'll dissect this peculiar behaviour further. And while we may never know for sure, one thing's for certain – it's time to call out these performances for what they are: a wolf in sheep's clothing. Grab a glass of wine, and let's dive in...

Breaking Down the Anatomy of Fem-Baiting

Picture this: A guy who's never had to worry about societal expectations regarding appearance suddenly becomes a self-proclaimed authority on body positivity, shouting from the social rooftops that he loves stretch marks and cellulite but you come to find he exclusively likes airbrushed photos of Instagram models. Or a dude who just discovered Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TED Talk decides he's the new face of feminism. Suddenly, he's quoting Bell Hooks and retweeting Gloria Steinem like there's no tomorrow. But ask him to name three policies that could improve maternal healthcare, and you'll be met with a deer-in-headlights stare. Or perhaps, a fella who couldn't locate the clitoris with a map and a flashlight suddenly fancies himself a feminist icon, discussing period pains like he's an honorary member of the menstrual cycle. It's the equivalent of a man simply putting on a pair of heels and declaring himself an expert on the perils of wearing stilettos. It's like watching a toddler don a superhero cape and proclaim themselves the defender of truth and justice, or like watching a pigeon try to play chess – amusing, yet ultimately futile.

These fem-baiters are like chameleons, changing their colors to blend in with whatever feminist cause is currently en vogue. One minute, they're championing body positivity, the next they're mansplaining why the gender pay gap is just a myth. It's like they've cracked the code to Pandora's box of likes, shares, and DM slides. Suddenly, they becomes the poster boy for progressive masculinity, championing causes they never even knew existed until it became Instagram-worthy. It's enough to make your eyes roll so far back into your head, you might just see your own brain. But for the men out there, it's important you understand why fem-baiting is such a prevalent issue, and why it strikes a nasty chord with so many women...

Firstly, it's important to acknowledge that genuine empathy and understanding are crucial components of any discourse surrounding gender issues and/or equality. Men should actively participate in conversations about women's rights, and their support is invaluable in dismantling patriarchal structures. However, fem-baiting diverges from authentic allyship by its insincerity and opportunistic nature. Moreover, fem-baiting perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces gender norms. By commodifying women's experiences for personal gain, these creators contribute to the objectification and trivialization of women's struggles. It reduces complex issues to mere marketing tools, exploiting genuine pain and suffering for clicks, likes, and shares.

But perhaps the most insidious aspect of fem-baiting is its impact on women's trust and empowerment. When men co-opt feminist rhetoric to advance their own agendas, it undermines the credibility of genuine feminist voices. It creates a sense of disillusionment and skepticism, making it harder for women to discern genuine allies from opportunistic actors.

Spotting the Signs: Are You Being Fem-Baited?

Oh, but you didn't think I'd let you swim through these murky waters without a trusty life raft of advice, did you? I have devised a foolproof fem-baiting detection kit just for you...

1. First up, watch out for the "I'm not like other guys" proclamation. It's the mating call of the fem-baiter, signaling his supposed uniqueness in a sea of toxic masculinity. Spoiler alert: he's usually exactly like other guys, just with better vocabulary.
2. The Virtue-Signaling Viking: Those who proclaim their unwavering support for feminist causes from the mountaintops but conveniently vanish when it's time for tangible action, like confronting their buddies about their sexist jokes or behaviors. Their commitment to the cause may be as flimsy as a paper umbrella in a storm, and their vocal allyship often masks a startling lack of commitment beyond performative gestures.
3. Then there's the "I love women" monologue, complete with a dramatic pause for effect. Sure, buddy, we all love women – some of us enough to actually listen to them without interrupting.
4. The Empathy Imposter: Watch out for those who claim to understand the struggles of womanhood with all the authenticity of a cardboard cutout. Their empathy may be as genuine as a knock-off Rolex.
5. The "I Have Lots of Female Friends" Brag: Beware of those who boast about their extensive roster of female friends as if it's a badge of honor. Quantity doesn't equal quality, and having female friends doesn't automatically make you a feminist ally.
6. And who could forget the classic move of centering himself in conversations about women's issues. It's akin to crashing a wedding to deliver a monologue about one's own romantic conquests – tone-deaf and utterly misplaced. Sit down, buddy, you're not the star of this show.
7. The "I'm a Feminist, But...": Keep an eye out for those who preface their statements with "I'm all for equality, but..." before launching into a diatribe about why feminism is unnecessary. It's like saying "I'm pro-education, but let's go burn down the library."

Fem-baiting may be a catchy term, but let's call it what it really is – faux feminism at its finest. So, to all the fem-baiters out there, we have a simple message: Stop it. Just stop. We see through your thinly veiled attempts to win us over, and frankly, we're not buying it. If you want to be an ally to the cause, great! But leave the performative activism at the door and actually put in the work to understand and support women's rights. Until next time, my loves, stay cheeky, stay woke, and never underestimate the power of a well-timed eye roll.

P.S - And before I have an army of disgruntled gentlemen pounding on the metaphorical door, I always like to see both sides of the coin so next week, I'll be doing a piece on Toxic Femininity ( yes, it's most definitely a thing... ) Stay tuned for that !

HJF for First Rounds On Me

Ah, the anticipation of a first date - the butterflies in your stomach, the racing thoughts, the nervous excitement. It's natural to feel a bit jittery before meeting someone new, and it's all part of the journey, but if you find yourself overwhelmed by these feelings, the right strategies can help ease those pre-date nerves and approach the experience with confidence and poise. In today's blog, we'll explore some tried-and-true techniques for calming your nerves before a first date and setting yourself up for success. Grab a glass of wine, and let's dive in...

Acknowledge and Accept Your Feelings: The first step in calming pre-date jitters is to acknowledge and accept your feelings. It's perfectly normal to feel nervous or anxious before a first date, especially if you're stepping out of your comfort zone. Instead of trying to suppress or ignore these feelings, acknowledge them with compassion and remind yourself that it's okay to feel nervous. By accepting your emotions without judgment, you can begin to work through them more effectively.

Visualize Success: Visualization is a powerful tool for calming pre-date nerves and boosting self-confidence. Take a few moments to visualize yourself having a successful and enjoyable date. Imagine the conversation flowing effortlessly, laughter filling the air, and a genuine connection forming between you and your date. Visualizing positive outcomes can help reframe your mindset and cultivate a sense of optimism and excitement about the upcoming experience.

Focus on the Present Moment: It's easy to get caught up in worrying about the future or dwelling on past experiences, but focusing on the present moment can help anchor you in the here and now. Practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or grounding exercises to bring your attention back to the present moment and quiet your racing thoughts. By staying grounded and centered, you can approach your date with a clear mind and an open heart.

Set Realistic Expectations: it's important to keep things in perspective and remember that a first date is just that - a first date. It's an opportunity to get to know someone new and see if there's a potential connection, but it's not the be-all and end-all of your love life. Try to approach the date with a sense of curiosity and openness, and remember that regardless of the outcome, you'll walk away with valuable insights and experiences. Instead of putting pressure on yourself to make a perfect impression, focus on enjoying the experience, being 100% yourself and getting to know your date as a person.

Remember Your Worth: Finally, remember that you are worthy of love and connection just as you are. Embrace your unique qualities, strengths, and vulnerabilities, and approach your date with authenticity and confidence. Remind yourself that you are enough, regardless of the outcome of the date, and trust that the right person will appreciate you for who you are.

Pre-date jitters are a natural part of the dating experience, but with the right strategies, you can calm your nerves and approach your date with confidence and grace. So take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the journey of getting to know someone new. You've got this ! Until next time x

HJF for First Rounds On Me

In today's digital age, it's become increasingly common for people to turn to the depths of internet to learn more about their potential romantic partners before a first date. We've all done it, we're all going to do it, there's no shame in the researching game. However, while conducting a bit of pre-date research can be a valuable tool for getting to know someone better and ensuring your safety, it's also important to approach it with caution and respect. So, in today's blog, we'll explore some tips and tricks for Googling your date without crossing the line into invasion of privacy or making assumptions based on what you find whilst sleuthing...

Start with a Light Touch: When it comes to pre-date research, less is often more. Keep your search light and casual, focusing on verifying existing information rather than delving too deeply into personal details. Do not, I repeat DO NOT be deep diving on professional profiles, social media accounts, or news articles that provide information into their interests, hobbies, and background. Those types of facts are best learned organically.

Use Social Media Wisely: Ah, the most common step in any good pre-date investigation. Social media can be a valuable tool for learning more about your date, but it's soooo important to use it wisely. But before you start scrolling through your date's Instagram feed from 2012, remember to keep it classy. Stick to recent posts and avoid accidentally liking a photo from three years ago. Trust me, it's not a good look. Here's a pro tip though - look at their tagged photos.

Respect Boundaries: When conducting this pre-date research, it's crucial to respect your date's boundaries and privacy. Avoid delving into areas of their life that they haven't chosen to share with you directly, such as their personal finances, family history, or past relationships. Stick to gathering information that is publicly available and relevant to getting to know them as a potential romantic partner. If you come across any sensitive or private information during your research, resist the temptation to bring it up during your date and instead focus on building a genuine connection based on mutual interests and values.

Keep an Open Mind: While pre-date research can provide valuable insights into your date's personality and interests, it's important to keep an open mind and approach your date with curiosity and empathy. Remember that everyone has their own unique story and experiences, and preconceived notions based on online research may not always be accurate. Instead of making assumptions or judgments based on what you find online, focus on getting to know your date organically and allowing your connection to develop naturally over time.

At the end of the day, navigating the world of pre-date research requires a delicate balance of curiosity and respect. While it's tempting to dive deep into the digital rabbit hole, it's essential to proceed with caution and mindfulness. Remember, less is often more when it comes to Googling your date, and using social media wisely can provide valuable insights without crossing boundaries. Above all, keep an open mind and approach your date with genuine curiosity. Until next time x

HJF for First Rounds On Me