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No post this week due to a death in the family.

Romance 101 – Week 12

Romance Tip 12:

- Book Trade!

Single? Books are magical. If you already read and have friend who read, you probably exchange recommendations all the time already.  Book recommendations are a little different from book trades though—I’m not suggesting you give away your favourite books, rather that you loan them for a short period of time.

Choose a book that you think a friend would love—but one they wouldn’t necessarily read on their own. Something outside their favourite genre. Something that if you simply recommended it and they looked it over, they probably wouldn’t pick up. They do the same for you and you both commit to reading the book in a week or a month, depending on what works for the two of you.

It’s a great way to expand your literary horizons and it gives you both something new to talk about.

Dating? For me, sharing books with lovers has always been one of the most intimate, important acts I can do. Books are so important to me and the characters and worlds within them so special, that sharing my favourite authors and series is a way of sharing a very special part of my soul. I don’t let myself be disappointed if my partner doesn’t love the same stuff I do, we all have different tastes, but I’d be very hurt if they didn’t at least try and read it.

Sharing books about our passions, regardless of if those passions are sci fi, gardening, finance, romance or Pomeranian sledding teams, is a fantastic way for our partners to learn more about our interests. There is nothing better than giving a partner a book they are doubtful about, only to have them love it and recommend it to their friends.

Reading together is a great way to spend time together, being intimate, without feeling like you have to be fully attentive. It will give you something new to talk about and, who knows, you might find a new favourite author or hobby!

Remember! It takes most authors between six months and two years to write a book. If you’re loaning and borrowing books, the author isn’t seeing any extra profit, no matter how much you enjoyed reading it. However you can do the author a huge favour by popping on to amazon or goodreads and giving their book a star rating, as well as writing a short review. You don’t have to write a novel of your own, just a few lines about what you enjoyed can really make an author’s day and help boost their sales.

Romance 101 – Week 11

Romance Tip 11:

- Handmade Bath Salts!

Single? Handmade bath salts are easy, fun and cheap to make. You can keep them for yourself, or give them away to friends and family as awesome gifts. You only need a few simple things to get started—most of which you should already have, or can get at the supermarket or $2 store.

You will need:

- Empty glass canisters (such as coffee canisters or cheap glass storage canisters).

-  Several kilograms of rock salt.

- Food dye.

- Essential oils (such as rose, lavender, jasmine or orange).

- Ribbons – to decorate the canisters.

Put several cups of rock salt into a bowl, or several bowls, if you want a few different colours. Put in a few drops of food colouring and a few drops of essential oil and stir with a big wooden spoon.  You’ll want to add food dye slowly, so you can get the colour you want and you may need about a tea spoon of scented oil for every four cups of salt.

Don’t put too much colour in! You don’t want to dye yourself blue!

It’s pretty much that simple. Then all you need to do is put the coloured, scented salt in the glass considers and tie a bow around it with the ribbon—preferably in the same colour as the salt.

When I was sneakily redecorating my mother’s bathroom while she was on holiday, I made bath salts to match the colour scheme of the room. And if you want to get really creative, you can mix two or more essential oils together to make your own special bath smell, just for you.

Dating? Do you know your lover’s favourite colour and scent? Men tend to prefer ‘food’ scenes, like cinnamon, orange and vanilla, while women often like flower scents, like rose, jasmine and lily of the valley.  Balt salts are a lovely, but still cheap, surprise that you can make for someone. And hot, sweet-smelling luxurious baths are always sexy.

You could even make the bath salts a part of a ‘love pack’ including oils, candles as a prelude to a great night in!

Remember! Always test a drop of the essential oil on your skin before you pour a whole heap in with the salt. It’s much better to have a small patch of hives on your hand, than a full body rash if it turns out you’re allergic.

Romance 101 – Week 10

Romance Tip 10:

- Design your own cocktail.

Single? Time to invite over a few friends for a really fun party: its design your own cocktail night! The best thing about doing this with friends is that you can split the costs, as its one of the more expensive romance tips I’m going to suggest. Ask your friends to bring over all and any bottles of alcohol they have at home—though you’re going to need to make a list of what they have beforehand, so when you make the trip to the bottle-o you’re getting things you’re likely to use.

As well as a range of alcohols—as many as you can get—you’re also going to need mixers and a few tools.

Here’s a list of things that aren’t alcoholic you may want:

- Chocolate (for chocolate curls!)

- Maraschino cherries

- Berries

- Lemon

- Banana

- Other fruits

- Milk

- Cream

- Soft drinks, particularly coke

- Grenadine

- Ice

- Ice cream

- Mint

- Pineapple juice

- Orange juice

- Apricot juice

- Cranberry juice

- Other juices

- Coffee

- Cinnamon

- Sugar

- Salt

- Flavoured jelly crystals

- Tea

- Marshmallows

- And if you want to be really filthy, cake or brownie mix.

You’ll also need a few other things, like stirrers, glasses, spoons a blender and some other things that you hopefully have already. If not, get your guests to bring them.

Remember to keep a pen and paper handy to write down the best recipes. Chances are, you’ll be a bit drunk and totally forget them. Don’t forget to name them!

Dating? If you’re a couple and have decided to do this together, instead of with friends, it should be a cosy evening in the kitchen. Put on some music you both like and have a good time. Try and make something that represents you as a couple and your relationship. Is it sweet and rich? Fizzy and fruity? Hot and pink? Make something you both really enjoy, then on special nights together, you can whip them up again. You’re own secret romance recipe!

Remember! Please drink responsibly. This tip is about creating exciting new cocktails, not getting completely blitzed and throwing up on the couch.