fbpx

Jen A. Miller Consulting

Category: Date Ideas

  • Single Girl Reveals | Moving In Together

    Single Girl Reveals | Moving In Together

    Jen Smith shares her experience moving in with her boyfriend and what to consider before taking the leap

    moving in together
    PHOTO: Stephanie Rausser.

    Moving in with my boyfriend was a HUGE decision but one that came surprisingly easy for the two of us. Alex and I have been dating over 7 years, with two small breaks in there. We’ve talked about living together for several years, but it never felt right so we always chose to wait.

    I pride myself on my independence. Since I went through my quarter-life crisis a few years ago, I worked extremely hard to redefine myself by joining several organizations, making quality friends, and starting a new career path. I thought by living together I would lose my individuality, miss out on seeing my friends, and give up what I love doing most. I was surprisingly wrong.

    Alex asked me to “live together” rather than “with him.” Many may not see a difference, but to me, it was an important distinction. To be comfortable moving in together, the act had to be done together and the decision about where to live had to be ours. We worked together to choose which furniture and decorations we were keeping so that our space was a blend of our personalities—for example, he got to keep his sports bobble head collection and me? I got to keep my owl collection.

    I value a well-rounded life, and I was worried that by living with Alex, my life would be too focused on “home”… that I wouldn’t have enough time for friends or activities I love. Instead, we find a balance: on nights he’s out with the boys, I can choose to have a girls’ night, attend my favorite yoga class, or finish reading the latest book on my list.

    Alex and I are big on communication and find that many conflicts can be avoided with a conversation, so we chose to talk about our concerns before living together. Since I’m a list-maker, I pulled together a list of things to discuss before taking the leap that might also be helpful for you to consider when you are ready to take this step in your relationship.

    (more…)

  • Embrace Indian Summer in San Francisco

    Embrace Indian Summer in San Francisco

    Top 10 activities in San Francisco to take advantage of Indian Summer

    Indian Summer San Francisco

    While the rest of the country is storing their swimsuits and shorts, Northern California experiences a spurt of warmer days in September and October. (Though I must admit the east side of San Francisco has been enjoying many a sunny day since I moved back.) We may not have the plethora of pool parties that SoCal has, but there are many ways to take advantage of the unparalleled views and fresh air. Here are 10 on my list. (more…)

  • A Tale of Two Cities

    A Tale of Two Cities

    Our Leading Ladies share their top 10 from Los Angeles and San Francisco

    PHOTO: Crossfit Santa Monica, Localbigwig.
    PHOTO: Crossfit Santa Monica, Localbigwig.

    When we founded The Single Diaries a year ago, we had no idea we wouldn’t be in the same city so soon. (Don’t tell me I’ve never been in a long-distance relationship.) Separation anxiety aside, we are finding one major plus to working out of two different major cities: more wine bars to frequent, more neighborhoods to explore, more dishes to discover! In honor of our new status as a bi-city blog, we bring you our favorite mainstays from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    (more…)

  • The Single Diaries Guide to Outside Lands Food

    The Single Diaries Guide to Outside Lands Food

    10 San Francisco food favorites to try at Outside Lands

    outside lands food

    It seems that every year a new music festival is born somewhere in the world. Outside Lands premiered in Golden Gate Park in 2009 and, true to its culinary capital roots, one of the festival’s signature features is its outstanding selection of food. It is the one festival our crew attends at which we look forward to experiencing the eats rather than chowing down on a substantial meal to keep us going the whole day. At Outside Lands, you plan your agenda around musical acts and what you’re eating in between. There’s ChocoLands, BeerLands, Food Truck Lands, and more. Trust us, you want to be aware of all your options before you settle for something that doesn’t feed your heart as much as the next stand might. I encourage you to check out the 2014 restaurant list ahead of time. In true SF fashion, composting bins will be available; make like a local, and put your waste where it belongs. Read on for 10 San Francisco food favorites that stand out at the Park and on the streets of the city.

    (more…)

  • Single Girl Reads | All’s Fair in Love & Wardrobe

    Why you need to add Stephanie Simons’s All’s Fair in Love & Wardrobe to your shopping cart immediately

    all's fair in love and wardrobe
    If you love The Devil Wears Prada, read Vogue religiously, or know every episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, you MUST pick up this book. Written “to all the girls who’ve ever wanted to shop, dress, eat, party, travel, and Instagram like a fashion editor; now you can date like one.”

    With a crash course on how to date like a fashion “editrix” (“channel a front row state of mind—don’t settle for being a back-row babe who’s constantly shuffled around and buried out of sight under the proverbial exit sign”), guides to the 7 phases of waiting for him to call and throwing the pity party of the season (“do create a stellar guest list; don’t open less than three gift registries”), a history of the relationship between love and fashion, how to master the “signature walk” of shame, a collection of closet confessions (assumedly Simons’s own dating anecdotes),  and over 100 cheeky rules, All’s Fair in Love & Wardrobe makes you want to makeover your wardrobe, your romances, and your life to appear as casually cool and easily put-together as an editor off-duty. Here are 5 points why you should pick up a copy, read, reread, and personify All’s Fair.

    (more…)