New Site Live!

So here it is... (trumpet fanfare please) your brand spangly new Great Date Guide has landed, and we're thrilled with it. We'll leave you to get accustomed to it in your own time, but here are a few bits and bobs that we thought you should know about.

1) Basic functions

We've not really changed much when it comes to the basics of how it works. You can still search for a date by keyword (location, dating stage, activity etc) or by browsing the different categories. We've put a changing selection of our favourites on the home page too, to try and tempt you into trying something new!

2) Booking 

In an attempt to make your date organising experience as painless as possible, you can now book online (where possible) through the site… for free! We've enlisted the help of trusted partners, such as Toptable and Ticketmaster, so that you can be confident that your booking is in safe hands. 

3) Concierge 

Another new addition, you can now get us to organise your date for you. Whether that's because you're too busy, a touch workshy (!) or because you could just do with a little help in deciding what to do, we'll gladly help you out, free of charge. Just give us a call or fill in the online form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Remember, we're always keen to hear your feedback, and better still we'd love to share some of your own favourite date ideas. So keep in touch, keep submitting dates and reviews, and help make The Great Date Guide even better still!

HAPPY DATING!

What to wear on New Year's Eve

Finding the perfect New Year's date is hard enough so the elves at Fin's for Him thought they would make your life a little easier by giving you the perfect attire for any NYE activity... and of course, the elves here at The Great Date Guide can show you all the perfect places to go!

Naturally, the look was inspired by a pair of the ever-popular George Suede Loafer in chic Hamptons Black.

 Team them with skinny(ish) jeans from Levi's and a Fin's Bertie Belt in steel grey.

    

Wear with this fabulous D&G blazer and Hentschman shirt. In our opinion, it usually works best to go with a classic white shirt rather than anything too jazzy.

    

Now if that doesn't get you a kiss at midnight, we're not sure what will!

Miss Mary says... "A big thank you to the super stylish elves at Fin's for Him for their tips on what to wear for a New Year's date. If you like what you see then you should head over to the Fin's for Him website and take a look at more of their stylish offerings... From shoes to belts to socks they've got men's accessories covered, and they'll make sure any man looks tip top for a first date!"

*Images curtesy of: finsforhim.com, levi.com, hentschman.com and dolcegabbana.com

It's all change….

So, you may have noticed that this blog has undergone somewhat of a facelift over the past few days and perhaps you are asking yourself why?  Well, (trumpet sound) we are pleased to announce some pretty big changes at www.thegreatdateguide.com, the first of which is a BRAND NEW WEBSITE, due to launch in 2011!  

But wait, there's more…. Not only is it going to LOOK better, but it's also going to DO MORE! As well as providing you with all of the best ideas and inspiration on where to go out in London, we're also going to help you book your date, at no extra cost to you, and any other bits and bobs you think you might need in addition (we're thinking flowers, chocolates, taxis…?!). What's more, Miss Mary herself will be on hand to offer assistance in our new bespoke date arranging service… name your criteria and let Miss Mary make your dream date a reality (although we can't vouch for your parter in crime, that we leave up to you!).

Anyhow, we're sure you're going to love the new site as much as we do, so keep your eyes peeled in Jan 2011...

Happy Christmas Everyone! 

xxx

The 12 Dates of Christmas

There's only just over 2 weeks to go before Christmas, can you believe it?! Thankfully, however, that's the perfect amount of time to fit in our '12 Dates of Christmas' - with a day or two to spare! So, sing along to our slightly edited version of a well known festive carol, but more importantly, get out there and do it!


Here's a sneaky preview of dates 1 - 5… head to the website for 6 - 12!




On the first day of Christmas my true love... took me to Partridges on Duke of York Square, off the Kings Road, to ponder all the deliciousness and to choose all my favourite Chirstmas treats for a winter picnic… (if you'd rather stay indoors try a romantic carpet picnic with candles et al!).


On the second day of Christmas my true love... took me on a romatic walk along the river to The (Turtle) Dove in Hammersmith, to while away the afternoon watching the river go by and drinking hot toddies in this cozy olde worldy pub.


On the third day of Christmas my true love... took me to French Morgan M (sorry we couldn't think of any hen places but at least this rhymes!) in Islington to eat and drink fabulous French food!


On the fourth day of Christmas my true love... took me on a walking tour of all the sights of London, including a stop to feed the (calling) birds at Piccadilly Circus.


On the fifth day of Christmas my true love... gave to me, 5 GOLD RINGS!!! Or just a spot of window shopping on the very festive Old Bond Street!

Read more...

The Dreaded Awkward Silence...

Good chat can make or break a date so the art of conversation is crucial if you’re going to click with someone. There’s no hiding in a one-on-one situation but remember, a date is a marathon not a sprint, so be prepared because you never know when one of those awkward silences is about to descend.

BAD DATE BLOG PART 5: AWKWARD SILENCES

It may seem a bit calculating but having a couple of prepared questions up your sleeve is no bad thing. My uni housemate, for example, always favoured ‘Do you play a musical instrument?’ as her back-up question….but then she is still single so maybe try and be a bit more creative! I certainly wish I’d had an emergency subject to fall back on recently when an absolute shocker of a conversation pause led to pretty disastrous consequences.

Let me set the scene – I’d met Rugby Boy in a bar the weekend before and we agreed to go for drinks. He was sweet, funny, and pretty easy to talk to so drinks seemed a safe bet. We met for a shandy or two in Clapham and we were getting on really well….the only problem was I just wasn’t sure if I was attracted to him. There wasn’t any real chemistry and I was definitely thinking more friend than fancy-man.

Still, we were having a great time chatting away and despite a few suggestive comments coming across the table from the rugger bugger, I was doing my best to keep things more friendly than flirty.

It was nearly closing time and I was feeling pretty pleased to have met such a great new mate when I could suddenly feel it coming – the awkward silence. He’d just returned from the bar with drinks and the conversation stalled – we had run out of things to say. He stared; I stared; he awkwardly played with a beer mat; I nonchalantly fiddled with my hair.

‘So…’ I began, racking my brains for a new topic of conversation. ‘How far is it to your place from here?’

Rugby boy slowly put the beer mat down, coyly smiled at me and slid his hand over the table to stroke mine in what I think was supposed to be an alluring way.

‘I thought you’d never ask, we can be back at mine in 5 - I’ll get us a cab.’

Oh no, awkward silence panic had led to a slightly provocative but totally accidental agreement to a first date sleepover! I racked my brains to think of a way to back track but I couldn’t work out what to say so another sizable silence descended on our table.

He dropped my hand abruptly as I stammered and explained I just had an interest in London geography and didn’t actually intend on joining him on the five minute journey back to his bachelor pad.

A cab was then indeed hailed but it was for a solo passenger as Rugby Boy made a speedy enough exit to keep any winger on their toes. An awkward goodbye, an even more awkward peck on the cheek and I was left standing outside the bar watching as his taxi disappeared into the distance.

That was the end of what could have been a beautiful friendship.

Written by our lovely, anonymous, bad date blogger!

The Tricycle Theatre

Do you know about this fab little theatre in Kilburn? Has anyone been? We've got ourselves rather excited about it, given that it's not only a theatre but also a gallery AND a cinema and there's a gorgeous bar and cafe to boot - perfect!

Whilst it's perhaps most famous for its controversial political theatre, we're liking the look of this month's rom com epic 'MIDSUMMER' which sounds hysterical! Have a look at the website for more information.

Enjoy!

Miss Mary x

Covent Garden Hotel Does it Again!

We're just so excited to hear about the latest BRILLIANT concept from Firmdale Hotels. Do you remember the weekend film club? That's the amazing deal at Covent Garden, Charlotte Street and Soho Hotels where you get your choice of a champagne tea or dinner followed by the 'film of the week' in one of their seriously funky private screening rooms. All for £35!

Well, we think they might just have bettered it... On Sundays in December, Covent Garden Hotel is hosting 'Sunday Afternoon Opera and Ballet'. They're screening some of the most beautiful and also most festive ballets and operas (filmed at The Royal Opera House), again complete with afternoon tea and again just for £35 per person.  Full details are below… we can't wait!

5th December:   La Traviata - Verdi 2009

12th December: La Boheme - Puccini 2009

19th December: The Nutcracker - Tchaikovsky Ballet 2009

26th December: Carmen - Bizet 2007

Contact the hotel for reservations.