Casual dating – uncomplicated time for two

Not everyone is looking for the great love and even if, so the time until you have found this, can be bridged with the so-called casual dating excellent. Uncomplicated dates, where everything is possible, but nothing is a must. In a world with dating apps, online portals & Co, dating without commitments has become easier than ever before.

It offers you the opportunity to meet many different people and, above all, to get to know yourself better. So casual dating is also a great way to just try out who or what you like. After all, you never have to see each other again if you don’t want to. But how do you prepare a date if it’s already concretely planned for a hot night, or at least you want to keep all your options open?

What does casual dating stand for?

• Everything possible, but not a must
• Trying out
• Open options

Tip 1: Communication

It doesn’t matter if you met your date online or in person, or if it’s a blind date: A little communication beforehand is important so that you know who or what is coming up. In addition, it is anything but unusual in dating apps & Co to talk in advance about the respective expectations of the date. Unfortunately, not everyone is honest about this, but many people are open about the fact that they are only interested in something firm or just something casual, for example. So if you’re unsure whether they’re both approaching the date with the same goals, it’s worth simply asking. As we all know, it doesn’t cost anything to ask!

How should you communicate?

• Before the date
• Talk about expectations
• Question about the goal of the date

Tip 2: Location

What follows now is the concrete planning, namely the question of when and where the meeting will take place. Depending on the type of date, the appointment can take place directly at home, so as not to waste time, so to speak – then mutual trust is the key. So especially women should not just go to a stranger’s home. It is therefore better to start the date in public and decide spontaneously how to proceed. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a permanent relationship and want to get to know your counterpart first, romantic places are a perfect choice: a chic restaurant, the botanical garden, a lake or river shore, a drive-in movie theater…there are no limits to your creativity in this regard.

Where is the location?

• At home when trust is there
• Public in case of uncertainty

Tip 3: Body care

Even if you don’t plan to be physically close, every date can turn out unexpectedly. It is therefore worthwhile in any case to devote yourself to personal hygiene in advance: shave, wash your hair, apply cream to your skin, paint your nails – prepare yourself so that you feel completely comfortable in case the date turns out to be hotter than expected. This way you won’t put unnecessary limits on yourself and you’ll radiate self-confidence, which in turn will make you look more attractive. A “beauty day” before the date is therefore a good idea in any case and can be designed according to your individual ideas.

How should you care for yourself?

• Feel good all around
• Prepare correctly
• Be clean

Tip 4: Outfit

There is still the question of the perfect outfit and this should also be right from the top to the bottom layer. What is to be seen, of course, should fit the type and location of the appointment. Your outfit can accordingly range from casual jeans to elegant evening wear and must reflect your personality. So wear what you feel comfortable in, is the most important principle in this regard. This also applies to your underwear: you should feel sexy in it if the date leads to a hot night. Women like to choose lace underwear for this purpose, even if its care is not entirely uncomplicated, because it simply gives them a uniquely seductive feeling. Men have less choice in this regard and usually go for classics like boxer shorts, which best show off their assets.

Which outfit should I choose?

• Matching the location
• Reflect personality
• Pay attention to underwear

Tip 5: Small talk

The biggest fear most people have on a date is embarrassing silence. It’s therefore worth thinking about possible topics of conversation in advance. Most dates start with classic small talk: about the weather, about hobbies, about the job – just as the topics arise. So, in case of a sudden silence, you can prepare some questions, because you shouldn’t start talking about yourself all the time. If, on the other hand, you want to make the date more impersonal or unusual, more creative topics of conversation are possible: for example, come up with scenarios like “what would you do if you won the lottery today?” or show humor with stories like the one about your most embarrassing experience. Again, there are no limits to your creativity. Ultimately, the date should be one thing above all, namely fun.

What should we talk about?

• Small talk about weather & co.
• Prepare questions
• Don’t just talk about yourself

Tip 6: Approach

If the chemistry is right, sooner or later there is usually an attempt at a physical approach. This can come from both the man and the woman. The motto is therefore courage. However, it is important to read the signs whether he or she wants this at all – and to accept a “no”. You yourself also need to set boundaries if something makes you uncomfortable. Thus, the date can end before the first kiss or in bed after all, depending on how both decide this by mutual consent. Even with sexual acts, it is allowed to try something, but of course only if he or she wants to. Again, communication is the be-all and end-all for a successful date.

How should one approach?

• Plenty of courage
• “Being able to accept “no
• Decide together

Tip 7: Honesty

This also applies to the last tip, namely that of honesty. This is even important in casual dating. This means honestly discussing your own expectations for the date or the time afterwards. It means being honest if something goes too fast or too far for you. And it also means honestly explaining any break in contact after the date. Because methods like so-called ghosting, which has unfortunately been rampant for several years (not only) in the dating world, cause unnecessary frustration and possibly even pain. Therefore, you should also be honest from the beginning when it comes to the question of what you are looking for, whether you would like to meet again, whether you can imagine more with him or her…and so on. At first glance, this may sound annoying, even exhausting. But at second glance it will save you a lot of drama if you play your cards right from the start. Nevertheless, you can’t expect your counterpart to do the same. Once again, it is therefore worthwhile to let a (casual) date come to you in a relaxed manner and simply wait and see where it leads.

Value honesty:

• Discuss expectations and future honestly
• Be honest to avoid ghosting

Conclusion: Self-discovery in dating

Finally, you can define for yourself what constitutes a hot date for you and how far you want to go. With the right preparation and the tips mentioned, you will then experience exactly the day, the evening or the night, which you have imagined in advance. At the same time, the date will only be really exciting if you let it come to you a bit and are open to the unexpected – of course, while maintaining your boundaries. Because even in casual dating there are unwritten rules: Discretion, no jealousy or violence, and the aforementioned honesty. Then all eventualities can occur from a one-time date to the very big love. Have fun!

Shabby Chic: furniture, decoration and tips – romance at home

Shabby chic is not much different from vintage/retro or country style. Here, the focus is on old furniture that is repainted or new furniture that is trimmed to look old. Real wood furniture, which can be given a new coat of paint, is particularly suitable for this.

Why add quirks to new furniture? If you want to implement Shabby Chic in your interior design, that’s exactly what you need to do. Because the wear and tear of the furniture, i.e. the used look, is exactly what gives Shabby Chic its charm.

Where does Shabby Chic come from: Origin of the romantic interior style

The Shabby Chic style originated in the 1980s in the UK and was used to revive the flair and charm of old country homes. Restoring old furniture or downcycling mint condition furniture was a great way to avoid having to purchase expensive Victorian style furniture.

Through the English stylist Rachel Ashwell, the style got more attention. In California, she opened a store that specialized in flea market items. While dealing with the original flea market items, she founded the brand Shabby Chic. Her brand makes furniture and accessories herself and pursues the ideal: projecting the aesthetic of a pair of jeans onto furniture.

Most important pieces in a Shabby Chic interior according to interior designer Rachel Ashwell:

• Chandelier: it looks romantic and glamorous at the same time
• Pastel coloured vintage sofa with cosy cushions
• Fresh cut flowers: immediately bring something alive into any room

Materials and colours: cream tones, pastel colours & natural materials

As with the Scandinavian or country house style, here too much revolves around nude tones. Strong or flashy colors do not find their way into a Shabby Chic interior. White, beige, light grey or pastel tones are what you need to bring the Shabby style home. To give your home that glamorous touch, combine the soft colours with decorations in silver tones, with crystals or sequins.

Natural materials are especially important for Shabby Chic. For example, you can sand down old real wood furniture and give them a new color. New wooden furniture can be further trimmed next to the vintage furniture, specifically to the used look. In addition to wooden furniture, materials such as leather or linen, which already show signs of wear, are also popular. In order to preserve the tradition of Shabby Chic, a lot of value is placed on materials that have been produced by craftsmanship. Here we are talking about materials such as lace, crochet, knitted, etc..

Implementation: Shabby chic furnishings – heirlooms, flea markets, upcycling & Co.

When you talk about Shabby Chic, you’re talking about attention to detail. In every corner you can find cute, handmade parts that make up the Shabby Chic. In a Shabby Chic interior, there is usually a lot of work, because the people who want to decorate their home in this style, usually put a lot of emphasis on DIY or handmade things.

A typical piece of furniture in Shabby Chic is a chest of drawers, which is in country style and made of real wood. This chest of drawers is then first thoroughly sanded and then painted in the appropriate color. Here you then choose white, cream tones or powdery soft pastel tones. The paint doesn’t have to be perfectly applied either, it’s exactly the imperfect that makes the style, as it’s all about the beauty of the imperfect. After the paint has dried, you can decide whether to leave the furniture as it is or add a few artificial quirks to make it look as if it has been around for decades.

Wallpapers & patterns: Traditional patterns in delicate pastel & cream tones

Can the pattern you use tell a story or do you associate something traditional with the pattern? If yes, then you have chosen exactly the right pattern for Shabby Chic. With Shabby Chic it is always important that something can tell a story and that they remind of the interior design of yesteryear. Especially “cute” and feminine motifs and patterns are popular in Shabby Chic. So dots, floral wallpaper, but also checks and stripes fit perfectly into a Shabby Chic interior.

Not only the typical patterned wallpapers fit to Shabby Chic, but also oriental patterns that embody a lot of tradition, such as paisley patterns or Persian rugs in vintage style. The controversial oriental patterns ensure that the interior is loosened up a little. The only important thing is that the patterns all match in terms of color. So they should all be in Aude or pastel tones to fit the overall concept.

Furnish a room: Living room & bedroom – Shabby Chic design

To furnish the apartment in Shabby Chic you need a good sense of vintage and the style of times gone by. The mixture of old lovers’ pieces and new, romantic furniture is especially important. The interior must create a harmonious interplay and should not look restless, but cozy and romantic. You should feel as if you are in the footsteps of the 19th and early 20th century. The interior should be reminiscent of the interior of a dreamy country house, as you know it from the stories.

Living room: Dreamy with embroidered cushions, sofas & pastel tones

Here again, the classic colors of Shabby Chic are taken up. A couch in cream or delicate pastel shades fits perfectly into the interior of the living room in Shabby Chic style. With the sofa, however, it is not so important whether traces of use can be seen. The part will take over other components in the living room. On the sofa you should put pillows in pastel shades or with print (see the typical patterns listed above) – as you can see in the picture.

You can also gladly add a cotton blanket. The interplay of the sofa with cushions in powdery pastel colors and cozy blanket, creates a romantic and feminine image. Add to this a living room table, which should preferably be in a typical Shabby Chic look. So a wooden or metal table with traces of use. On the table you should arrange beautiful decorations. Flowers with a beautiful vase in a matching look, or decoration with pearls or natural materials are always welcome. A country cabinet or a chest of drawers in Shabby Chic look is also essential for a living room with Shabby Chic flair.

Special accents are set with a chandelier, which embodies the “chic” component in Shabby Chic and brings splendor into the interior. In addition to a chandelier as an eye-catcher, a Persian rug or a carpet with a matching, romantic pattern provides the right look.

Bedroom: wooden bed, with flounce bedding, lamp & candlelight

Sleep like a 19th century estate owner. This is exactly how one imagines the magnificent sleeping quarters of past times. To be able to sleep in such a bedroom yourself, you don’t need a lot of hand movements but only the right feeling for a Shabby Chic interior.

A wooden bed that exudes warmth and, in the best case scenario, has cute patterns or details is just the thing. You have 2 options:

• Buy a wooden bed made of real wood and paint it in the color you want and trim it to old (usually the cheaper option).
• Or buy a new bed, which is already in Shabby Chic look, but could be high priced

Besides the bed, accessories are especially important. Again, a chandelier is suitable for the right atmosphere. In combination with candlelight you achieve the romantic flair in the bedroom. An imposing top bed with sweet details is also important, as this is exactly what you used to find in the bedrooms of well-heeled people. A vintage look rug is not only important in the living room but also m bedroom. This not only ensures that you do not get cold feet, but also brings the right flair in the room. If you now add matching pictures, flowers and candles, you have the perfect bedroom in Shabby Chic look.

Dining room: Dining with Shabby Chic flair with vintage table and chairs

Besides the living room and the bedroom, the dining room is also an important room in a Shabby Chic interior. Here you come together with the whole family and enjoy a good dinner or play games. Therefore, it is also particularly important to stay true to the style in the dining room.

The dining table should be a classic dining table in shabby chic, so made of wood or metal and traces of use. The legs of the dining table can be squiggly, because that’s what gives the whole thing a romantic flair. The chairs should be typical vintage chairs: either completely made of wood, with a woven seat or a mixture of fabric and wood. Again, traces of use on the wood are welcome, which give the whole the Shabby Chic look.

If you now also place matching flowers in pastel or cream tones on the table and add a few small accessories, such as candles, you have a dining room in the trendy Shabby Chic look.

Decoration with romance: lace cushions, crystals, chandeliers & Co.

Especially a matching decoration is important when you talk about Shabby Chic. A lot of attention to detail is required here and each decoration gives the interior in Shabby Chic, its very own, playful and romantic charm. A great emphasis is placed on natural materials, as the interior should be reminiscent of a country house from the 19th and early 20th century. That’s why they decorate a lot with flowers and pastel tones or cream colours. In the past, everything was handmade, so lace or crocheted decorations are a must. Self-blown glass flower vases are also a real eye-catcher in the interior.

To consider the chic in shabby, a lot of emphasis is placed on pomp and elegance in addition to homemade decoration. This can be achieved by putting in chandeliers that are studded with glass or crystals. You can also make these on your own in a DIY process. Beautiful tableware is also super important when talking about Shabby Chic decor. The tableware should be silver or gold in color to make it look classy and precious. An ornate and romantic shape is also important.

Romance, comedy or horror – the favourite genre of the man

A look at the numbers makes it clear: men and women are not so unanimous about their favourite genres after all. A survey by Statista showed that men prefer to watch action and comedy films in their free time. Adventure films a la Indiana Jones are also very popular with men. So what about romantic movies? These share one of the last places in the ranking with horror films. While 77% of women prefer romantic love films, the figure for men is only 55%. But this does not mean that a romantic evening on the couch has to be cancelled here: The genre of romantic comedies is more popular with both sexes than the more traditional love drama.

Chaotic love films with Hollywood cast

So that our men don’t get bored during a romantic movie night, a little action and chaos should not be missing. No matter if unexpected triangle relationships, hot bed scenes or funny pick-up lines – these movies please every man. Watch the trailers exclusively.

Friends with benefits with Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake

Headhunter Jamie convinces Dylan, a non-New Yorker and art director unknown to her until then, to move to New York for a new job. It doesn’t take long and a once professional relationship quickly turns into something more serious: One flash mob and a few drinks later, both decide to rekindle their respective dormant sex lives and agree on an unfeeling sex relationship. Watch the trailer of the romantic comedy here.

Silver Linings with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence

This award-winning film does not fall into the category of romantic comedies, but despite its first-rate actors and profound storyline, it has always enjoyed great popularity. So the manic-depressive Pat and the emotionally unstable Tiffany meet in a restaurant and a turbulent friendship begins. How these two end up in a complicated love triangle and what this has to do with a dance contest, we won’t tell you yet, of course.

High Fidelity with John Cusack in the leading role

Record shop owner Rob Gordon is fed up. When you look at his failed relationships, you notice: his life is boring and full of escapades and monotony. His only ray of hope: The singer Marie de Salle. But even she is quickly forgotten when Rob’s old flame Laura announces herself to him again. And suddenly he meets a magazine editor whom he now keeps an eye on. One thing is certain: this place is going to be chaotic.