BEAUTIFUL DATING > SAFETY FIRST

I asked my good friend what it was like to be single and looking for love in 2015 and she said, "Girl, it's ridiculous." She said people expect sexual favors right off the bat, stalkers are more common than ever, and it's impossible to meet nice people.

Now, I don't mean to make you paranoid, but I do want you to be safe. There are some real looney bins out there and you never know what could happen. I don't have the wisdom on how to navigate the dating game in this crazy world, but I can tell you how to be safe while you're out there looking.

I found some cute 50's photos to go along with the theme today. Singles, this one is for you!

 

BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE

* Tell someone you trust about where you're going, who you're going to meet, and when you plan to return

* Make sure your phone is fully charged. Take a pic together and send it off to a friend for identification purposes. You can sneak a pic of their plates too!

* Make sure you bring your own money. You can't expect them to pay.

* Google them. Now I know this one sounds overdone, but you'll want to know what you're getting into if they are a complete stranger. Look up Ted Bundy. My point exactly.

DRIVE

Gas up your car and drive yourself for the evening. That way if the date goes south, you can leave whenever you please and worse case scenario, you don't have to worry about them deserting you.

MEET PUBLICLY

You don't know the other person, not really. You don't know if they are a psycho planning on abducting you or if they have an out of control temper. Meeting publicly offers safety in numbers. If something goes down you can call for help.

STAY SOBER

If you're serious about meeting someone, don't drink more than one glass of wine or beer. You'll want to remain alert in case they have something else in mind that you're not ready for. Keep your glass close and order a new drink if you go to the bathroom. They could have put something in there.

INCREDIBLE BAGS: DE-CLUTTER YOUR PURSE

Here's one for the ladies!

Do you ever feel like you look inside your bag and it's a bottomless pit of junk? Articles of clothing, food bits, rocks... Every woman has been there (some are there right now as they read) but don't worry! There's hope for messy purses everywhere :) Try these helpful hints today.

WHAT'S IN THERE?

First thing first, dump it. 

Literally.

Pour all the contents out onto your desk or kitchen counter and spread each item out neatly so you can see everything side by side. (Ah, there's my favorite pen! I wondered where that went.) Now make two simple piles: KEEP, TOSS. Things you absolutely need go into the keep pile, and things that you can live without, TOSS.

(KEEP EXAMPLES: Keys, credit cards, mobile phone, sunglasses, mints)

(TOSS EXAMPLES: Post Its, trash, movies, silverware, clothes)

THE CLUTCH

Your secret weapon is the clutch. It's small, cute, and easy to transport when you switch out your bag. Keep your ID, reward/business/gift/visa cards, cash, pocket change, and a pen.

THE ZIP LOCK

Okay, so it doesn't have to be a real zip lock baggie. Small makeup bags or mini travel bags work great. This is your emergency kit. Inside, you carry travel size bottles and other essentials: Lotion, mouthwash, tissue, mascara, lip balm/lip stick, aspirin/meds, nail clipper, nail file, clear nail polish, and a hair tie. Your zip lock may differ, depending on your day to day activities.

The best part about the clutch and the zip lock is that they keep your most important items neat and compact, and they make switching bags a breeze.

! ! ! LIFE HACKS ! ! !

SANITIZER !
Invest in clip on hand sanitizer and attach it to your strap. That's one thing less inside your bag and you keep germs and viruses at bay.

SNACKS !
There's nothing worse than low blood sugar and lunch is miles away. Store a granola bar, or string cheese (or heck, beef jerky) for those times you get stuck in traffic, a meeting runs long, or you start to feel woozy.

PORTABLE POWER !
 Invest in a portable battery pack to keep your electronics charged up on the go. They range in price, come in different sizes, and can save you in a pinch when your phone dies or your tablet needs a boost.

You're welcome, ladies.

You're welcome.