Kayaking Fun

Go Kayaking on Lake Grapevine with your sweetie. Want some brownie points? Bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy once your trek is complete.

Rentals are $25 per person for 4 hours. 2 day advance notice is required. (At minimum)


http://www.kayakpower.com/kpc/www/4.html

High School Sports Dinner

Watch a local high school sports game (football, soccer, softball, basketball, swimming, etc.) and eat stadium food like nachos and hot dogs for dinner. Bring a blanket to sit on in the bleachers.

Here are some links to local sports calendars:

Frisco ISD:
https://www.rankonesport.com/Schedules/View_Schedule_All.aspx?D=2ee51739-9dc4-41d3-8f80-534f6b0d1586

Plano ISD:
http://k12.heroku.com/athletics/contributions/1813-schedules-by-schools

McKinney ISD:
http://www.rankonesport.com/Schedules/View_Schedule_All.aspx?D=4347146a-5b1b-4aee-9bd5-53417726c97a

Update and Crazy Cheese Date

Update: It's been a while since I've posted any dates. I am here to vindicate that. I have over a hundred dates that I will be releasing on the blog over the next several weeks. Enjoy and happy dating!

Photo Credit: travelmaven.wordpress.com 

Crazy Cheese Date

Go to Whole Foods, Central Market, or Trader Joes and buy some cheese that you have never tried before along with different crackers and some different fruits. Add some sparkling grape juice and take it home to enjoy. Rate each cheese as you try them and make note if you find anything good!

Spring is Here!

A few great date ideas for the Spring time:

1. The Upgraded Picnic
A regular old picnic is lame-o. Don't be a lame-o. Spice it up with the following tips:
- Try a new cuisine for your picnic- be adventurous and fun. Take out is perfectly acceptable!
-Rethink your picnic spot. Try one of the following locations: The Arboretum, A High Rise Sky Scraper, The Mall, a Hotel, a bluebonnet field, or some place you're really not supposed to be (better plan for a quick escape if need be). Sometimes a little stealthy planning ahead can grant you a really cool spot. Once I got us access to a high rise sky scraper for my husband to take pictures for his birthday. It took a little finageling, but it was completely worth it.
-Bring comfy pillows and blankets to sit on. Concrete and/or dirt are not exactly romance inducing.
-Think of EVERYTHING. Need ice for those drinks? Serving utensils for that salad? Cups for the sparkling lemonade?
-Think of a fun activity to do on your picnic according to what your location allows. Photography, frisbee, board games, people watching or relationship building are all good avenues to explore. (For relationship building: look up some fun questions to ask your significant other and take turns asking them on your date.)

2. Farmers Market
Head out to your locaol Farmers Market and pick up the prettiest, yummiest, most delicious something or other you can find. Also pick up something you've either never tried before or never heard of. Then go home and prepare a couple of dishes (or if you're really adventurous- one dish that incorporates both) with the new foods. Check out www.allrecipes.com and click on the ingredient search to get started.

3. Make your own Photo Shoot
There aren't many women who don't enjoy having their picture taken if properly prepared. Let your significant other know about this one in advance! Go take pictures of one another or with another couple at neat landscapes. Try a nearby field or farm, a cute old restaurant, or a historic home. Bring fun props, funny hats or even your animals.

4. Train for a 5K together
Make a plan, register for a 5K and execute! Check out the following links:
http://www.c25k.com/
http://runontexas.com/races

That's all for now! Happy Dating!

Top 10 things to do for Valentine's Day

(In order of coolness)

1. "Hot Date Night" at Vetro Glassblowing Studio
Skip the boring dinner at some overpriced fancy restaurant and head out to Vetro Glassblowing Studio in Grapevine, TX. For $125 (same as you would spend on dinner at a fancy place) you get hors devours, drinks, and the opportunity to have a hands on experience making a glassblown heart and/or flower. (One per person) OR for $39 skip the food and enjoy the glassblowing experience by itself (This is a little less hands on but you still get to see the whole things from start to finish).
http://vetroartglass.com/vetros-hot-date-night



2. Valentine Murder Mystery at Dave & Buster's
Enjoy a nice relaxing dinner with your sweetie and watch someone die. I realize this may not appeal to everyone, but if the thought of finding out "Who Dun It" gives you chills, this may be a fun activity for you and your Valentine. If you want to go cheaper, head down to one of the other locations. This package includes a nice dinner, drinks, flower and the show- $160 in Frisco, $100 all other locations.
http://www.mysteryplayers.com/mm-cities/Dallas.html

3. Valentines Improv Show at Locked Out Comedy in Plano, TX
Locked Out Comedy is an Improv comedy troup that is best known for their hilarious and CLEAN humor. We've seen them before and really enjoyed the show. $12 advance tickets or $15 at the door.
http://www.lockedoutcomedy.com/show.html

4. Paint Your Valentine at Color Me Mine Frisco
Does your sweetie love to break out their inner artist? Head on over to Color Me Mine for a fabulous date experience. Pick a piece of pottery and paint it. Come back a week later and pick up the fired piece. The employees there are very talented and can help you with painting ideas, techniques, etc. No experience is necessary- just a desire to have fun! Plan on spending around $20-30 per person (or less if you paint a piece together).
http://www.frisco.colormemine.com/


5. Clue at The Art Centre Theatre in Plano
Go see a performance at the local theatre, here's a blurb about Clue:
Clue is about 6 guests, a butler, and a maid, who are all involved in the murders of 6 people. The guests all meet at Hill House, where you learn that Professor Plum works in D.C., where everyone else lives. Colonel Mustard is a client of Miss Scarlet, who is the ex-employer of Yvette, the maid, who had an affair with the husband of Mrs. White, etc. When Mr. Boddy, who is blackmailing each guest, gives the guests each a weapon, he tells them they should kill Wadsworth, the butler, to avoid being exposed. With Mrs. Peacock's craziness, and Mr. Green's clumsiness, the whole group finds themselves tangled in a web of murder, lies, and hilarity.
Tickets online will set you back $12 per person, $15 at the door
http://www.artcentretheatre.com/on-our-stage/clue-adult-cast/

6. The "Ice Cold" Date
Take your sweetie ice skating on Valentine's Day. It's a good excuse to fall all over one another like you are teenagers once again. And you get to snuggle up afterwards to warm up with some Hot Cocoa. Finish off the date with a trip to Marble Slab. You just can't go wrong with Ice Cream. Ice Skating at Stonebriar Center in Frisco will set you back $10 per person for admission and skate rental. Tip: Go on Saturday night from 8-10pm to avoid the kiddos.
http://www.stonebriarice.com/public-sessions


7. Have a Smashing Time with your Valentine at Smashing Times in Dallas
Ever created a Mosaic? It takes no skill and is completely fun. Plus you'll have something cool to share with your honeybuns forever. Cost is around $40 depending on what you decide to make.
http://smashingtimes.com/locations.htm

8. Dinner and a Movie Redefined at iPic Theaters in Fairview, TX
Individual recliners and seat side dining service. This will set you back around $40 per person including dinner and a movie.
http://www.ipictheaters.com/

9. Get Romanced "Old School" at Medieval Times
Get admission for two to see Knights duke it out with javelins and swords on their trusty steeds. Included is dinner, a rose of the lady, picture in souvenir photo frame, valentine scroll, and lots more - $99 per couple.
http://www.medievaltimes.com/dallas/specialoffers/valentines-day-2012.aspx

10. Boring Dinner for 2 at Randy's Steakhouse
Okay, the title isn't really fair- Randy's Steakhouse is an amazing restaurant in old downtown Frisco. Best part? They have an awesome 4 course Valentines menu that will only set you back $55 per couple. This is great compared to normal pricing. Make reservations and buy her flowers to compensate for the cop out on a "cool" Valentine's date. :)
http://www.randyssteakhouse.com/

The Christmas Light Date

This is an all time favorite date that you can do only once a year so don't miss it!

You can make this as elaborate or simple as you'd like. Here's a few ideas:

1. Stop by Starbucks and grab and warm and cozy drink.
2. Bring a thermos (does anyone have these anymore!?!?!?) of hot chocolate and some Christmas cookies. (Kudos if they are shaped like Christmas trees and have multicolored icing and sprinkles!)
3. Travel to neighborhoods best known for fantastic Christmas light displays. In Dallas, here are a few of our favorites:

In Frisco:
Private residence (best I've ever seen!): http://www.friscochristmas.com/
Private Residence: http://www.christmasonwildoak.com/
Frisco Square (Downtown Frisco): http://friscosquare.com/CITS

In Plano:
Private Residence: http://www.gordonlights.com/
Best Neighborhood in DFW to look at lights: http://www.deerfieldplano.org/Holiday-Information~250326~616.htm

In Dallas:
Neighborhood: http://highlandparkdallas.com/

In Grand Prairie:
Light Drive Through: http://www.prairielights.org/

Or go all out and take a flight to look at lights:
http://starlightflight.com/flight-descriptions/christmas-light-airplane-tour/

If you're taking kids, have a Christmas Light Scavenger hunt to look for specific items in people's yards (i.e. 2 reindeer, santa, presents, candy canes, snowflakes, etc.).

Visiting the Deerfield neighborhood is a blast, especially if you park and walk around weather permitting.

If you are looking at buying a new home, looking at Christmas lights is a great way to get a realistic view of the neighborhood and how much people care about their homes!

Always end the evening with a treat: ice cream, cupcakes or cookies always put a sweet note on a fabulous time!

Black Friday Date

Everybody knows the only thing to do on Thanksgiving is hang out with your family. And Eat. And watch football games. Okay so there is a lot to do on Thanksgiving. But what about this fabulous opportunity we have in the day after Thanksgiving? Most people are off (except for the poor souls that work retail) which makes this day ideal to plan a date. Here are some "Black Friday" date ideas for you and your significant other:

1. Putting Up Christmas Decorations - Go all out: make hot chocolate, put on some Christmas music, start a fire (in the fireplace!) and work together to put up that beautiful tree of yours.

2. Go choose and cut a fresh tree with your mate: http://pickyourownchristmastree.org/TXxmasd.php

3. Shop the black friday deals. Come up with a battle plan and execute!

4. Get in the holiday spirit and go to the mall to check out all the decorations. If possible, go to one of the malls in the area that has an ice skating rink (Stonebriar in Frisco or the Galleria in Dallas) and point and laugh at all of the inexperienced skaters... or be daring and go to be pointed and laughed at!

5. Have a lazy date: sleep in, eat leftovers for breakfast in bed, and enjoy some old Christmas movies from the coziness of your own bed.

Happy Thanksgiving!