Colorado Singles Scene by It's Just Lunch

It's Just Lunch Midwest Employee Spotlight: Meet Hope Rike!

Welcome to the It’s Just Lunch Midwest Employee Spotlight! Each week we will be featuring one of our many talented employees and highlighting their role here at It’s Just Lunch (along with some stellar dating advice too, of course!)

This week it is our pleasure to introduce you to…Hope Rike!

1. What is your job at It's Just Lunch? Elite Matchmaker and Manager

2. What is your favorite part of working for It's Just Lunch? Making a difference in clients lives.  Whether I get a call from a client announcing an engagement or a call from a Client who just had a great first date, it’s rewarding to know I am making a difference in clients lives. 

3. Who is your favorite celebrity couple? Michael J Fox and Tracy Polan.  They clearly have a strong marriage, lasting over 25 years, 4 children, and Michael being diagnosed and living with Parkinson’s disease.  I also like that she is a few inches taller than he is and it doesn’t seem bother either of them, because when you find your soul mate a few inches shouldn’t make a difference.   

4. What's your favorite thing to do outside of work?  I love spending time with my family.  My husband, my little girl and my 14 year old Lhasa oppso are the loves of my life.  I also enjoy interior design, cooking, gardening and spending time with my friends and family.         

5. What is the best piece of advice you could offer to singles that are ready to enter the dating scene?  Go into dating with an open mind and positive outlook.  Dating is a numbers game and while it is a means to an end, enjoy the process of getting to know new people.  Each introduction to someone new is an opportunity and you never know where it may lead.  Attraction is a key component of a relationship but don’t write someone off if there isn’t immediate chemistry.  Take the time to get to know each one of your dates.  You may even be surprised what you learn about yourself and what you are looking for. 

6. What is your dream date?  A great date for me is staying in, putting on music, opening a bottle of wine and cooking with my husband in our newly remodelled kitchen.  It gives us the opportunity to create a delicious meal together and enjoy each other’s company. 

7. Do you have a mantra that you live by?  If you can dream it, you can do it!

8. What's your favorite memory from working at It's Just Lunch?  There are so many but I would say getting the call to announce my first engagement as a matchmaker.  That was a moment I will never forget.  It felt amazing to know I can make such a difference in my clients lives. 

9. What are your top 3 dating tips?

• RELAX- Take a deep breath and go with the flow.  Finding the right person is not something you can force to happen on a timeline. 
•  TRUST and BELIEVE-  Prince/Princess charming won’t always show up at the exact moment you would like them to but don’t ever lose faith that your match is out there.  There is a lid to every pot!   
• BE PROACTIVE- Don’t just sit around waiting for the love of your life.  Whether it’s hiring a matchmaker, attending singles events or letting your friends fix you up; make sure you are doing something!  And remember not to put all your eggs in one basket.  Increase the number of singles you interact with and you will also  increase your chances of finding the right match for you!  

How to be the Best Date EVER!

A lot of people think there is a secret formula to getting a date and spend a lot of time inside their head trying to figure out the code rather than putting themselves out there and going for it. If you’re totally lost and are looking for a good jumping off point, I’d start by working hard to be a genuinely good human being first. When you hold doors open for people, say thank you to the barista, and smile at strangers people notice! They may seem like small gestures, but they have a big impact. And once you get a date these types of gestures shouldn’t fall by the wayside. We put together this list to help you not only get a date in the first place, but how to make a great impression.

Here are our top tips to being the best date EVER!

1. Pay it forward. If there is a cute guy or gal in line behind you at Starbucks, tell the barista you’ll pay for their drink. Not only will it make their day, but it will be a great conversation starter. It could also inspire that person to pay it forward to someone else, hence making the world a better place!
2. Always be polite to the wait staff when on a date. Your date will be able to decode your communication style and will be able to see what kind of person you really are by witnessing these interactions firsthand. Plus, it’s just common courtesy be a nice person to those serving you.
3. Listen. When having a conversation with someone you are interested in, sometimes you can get so wrapped up in things that you forget the key ingredient to a great conversation: listening! Practice active listening and always make sure to follow up with questions.
4. Be a gentleman. Open the door, pull out her chair, and offer to bring the car around if it’s cold. Anything you can do to show her that you realize that chivalry is not dead because as far as we’re concerned, it isn’t. And ladies, act like ladies! Put your best foot forward and don’t be afraid to play up your feminine side. Be yourself, but don’t act like one of the guys on the first date—you need to impress him just as much as he needs to impress you.
5. Be creative and adventurous on the first date. Don’t go the cliché dinner and a movie route. When you are sitting in a dark movie theater, you aren’t able to get to know your date. Try an activity you both love, or try something totally new. If you go the movie route, see the movie before you go to dinner so you automatically have a topic of discussion to start with.
6. If you’re having a great time on the date, make sure you’re date knows it. Keep eye contact, lean in, FLIRT, touch their arm—make it known that you are interested. Better yet, tell your date how much fun you are having and plan your second date while still on the first. It will give you both something to look forward to, and there will be no questioning how the date went.
7. Don’t ignore awkward moments. Without fail, awkward situations always happen on the first date. Realize that your date is just as nervous as you are, so being open and light-hearted about the awkwardness will break the tension and help you both relax.

With these small little tricks in your back pocket, you are sure to make a lasting, positive impression. Even if the date doesn't turn into a long-term love, the more you practice at dating the better you will get! 

It's Just Lunch Midwest Employee Spotlight: Meet Laura Deede!

Welcome to the It’s Just Lunch Midwest Employee Spotlight! Each week we will be featuring one of our many talented employees and highlighting their role here at It’s Just Lunch (along with some stellar dating advice too, of course!)

This week it is our pleasure to introduce you to…Laura Deede!

1. What is your job at It's Just Lunch? Matchmaker! 

2. What is your favorite part of working for It's Just Lunch? Watching first dates turn into long term relationships

3. Who is your favorite celebrity couple? Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard- you can tell they are truly best friends and partners in life.

4. What's your favorite thing to do outside of work? LOVE to hang out with my dog and play in bar volleyball leagues.

5. What is the best piece of advice you could offer to singles that are ready to enter the dating scene? Don’t lose faith you’re soul mate is out there. It seems like such a huge task to find the love of your life and go on date after date after date.  It only takes one date with the right person to completely have your luck change.

6. What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis and why?  Firelake in Minneapolis. Great local ingredients and it’s also where I knew I had meet the man of my dreams- so I’m a little biased. J

7. What is your dream date? Love day dates in Stillwater. Start off with some shopping also Main Street, head to St Croix Winery for wine tasting, dinner at Water Street in and a gondola ride along with St Croix to end the night.

8. Do you have a mantra that you live by? You are who you are when no one is looking.

9. What's your favorite memory from working at It's Just Lunch? Date for Life 2014- what an amazing event that supports and even more amazing cause!

10. What are your top 3 dating tips?

1) Be open to trying new things.

2) Be picky- but don’t have higher expectations of your date than you hold yourself to.

3)Never Frown- you never know who’s falling in love with your smile.

Plan the Perfect Date

Talking with the matchmaking team this morning about planning dates spurred a great topic of discussion - what do you consider to be the perfect date? We threw around all sorts of different ideas and what we discovered is that it really depends on your situation (and of course your interests). One thing we all agreed on is that you shouldn't buckle down and go the predictable dinner-and-a-movie route. How boring. Here are a couple of ideas we came up with, along with the help of the Massage Envy quarterly newsletter.

One thing we suggest as you are planning the perfect date  is to do something different - something new and unknown. It will be exciting to try something new together, it'll create a lasting memory and a deeper bond between the two of you.

A second thing we suggest is consider your situation. If you are married with young kids, do something romantic and relaxing to help you unwind - a high energy action packed adventure might not be the best option for you if you are seeking an escape to reconnect with your significant other after a long day with the kids. 

Now that you've considered your situation, consider your options.

For Foodie Fans

If you’re a couple with culinary inclinations, dining out at that hot new chef’s venue might seem a no-brainer. But how about something a little different this year? Schedule a date at the farmers market. Choose a recipe ahead of time, and then head out to pick up fresh ingredients. Create the meal together at home, and don’t forget dessert.

For Outdoorsy Explorers

Winter hikes on a blue-sky morning are exhilarating whether in boots on dirt trails or on show shoes in the back country. Look for a trail that starts or ends near a brew pub so you can work in a casual lunch and a pint. End the day back in civilization with a hot-stone couple’s massage.

For Techy Types

Park your smartphones and tablets, and reconnect through a low-tech method. Get side-by-side Swedish massages or paint pottery together. Be in the moment, and tweet about it later. Only one Instagram picture allowed.

For Couples with Kids

Book a babysitter and a couple’s aromatherapy massage. Then head to an upscale local hotel for appetizers, drinks and dessert. You’ll feel as if you spent a weekend away without leaving town.

For Overworked Executives

Late nights hunched over your laptops have left you both with aches and pains. Cut out of the office early and meet up for a late lunch followed by side-by-side trigger point therapy massages. Enjoy a light dinner on the patio, away from fluorescent lights and flat screens.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it's right for you. Make sure the two of you are fully in the moment - really work on connecting with one another. And if it turns out to be a total disaster date remember that eventually it'll be funny (hopefully!) and reminiscing about it will be just as strengthening as having a "perfect" date. Because in the end, what does "perfect" mean anyway?

Source: MassageEnvy.com

It's Just Lunch Midwest Employee Spotlight: Meet Michelle Braun!

Welcome to the It’s Just Lunch Midwest Employee Spotlight! Each week we will be featuring one of our many talented employees and highlighting their role here at It’s Just Lunch (along with some stellar dating advice too, of course!)

This week it is our pleasure to introduce you to….Michelle Braun!

1. What is your job at It’s Just Lunch?

I am an Elite concierge!

2. What is your favorite part of working for It’s Just Lunch?

The happy stories!  People that go on hold for each other, get engaged or just have a great first date that they get really excited about.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity couple?

Will and Kate!  Who wouldn’t want to marry a prince? 

4. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?

I like to volunteer a lot with wildlife and/or Humane Society.  After being dressed up and downtown all week it’s nice to get my hands dirty and get outside.  I also love going to movies!

5. What is the best piece of advice you could offer to singles that are ready to enter the dating scene?

Be realistic about what you want!  Be the person you want to date.  And be ready, really ready.  Not just wanting to date but really wanting to find someone.

6. What’s your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?

I like so many for different reasons but I’d have to say Chino Latino.  It has consistently good food, anything you’d order on the menu will be good, fun drinks and good atmosphere.

7. What is your dream date?

Adventure!  Cliff diving, skydiving, helicopter tour, repelling, just anything crazy.

8. Do you have a mantra that you live by?

Everything happens for a reason.

9. What’s your favorite memory from working at It’s Just Lunch?

Being offered the job!  Otherwise, being a Date for Life bachelorette, so fun!

10. What are your top 3 dating tips?

Never chase a guy, let him call you.  If he doesn’t call, he’s just not that into you.  Be realistic about what you want and who would want you.  Keep a first date light and fun, this isn’t the time to find out if he will be your soul mate or not.