The Feelings of Others

Victoria's Secret...On the first date?!?!

Most of us associate Victoria’s Secret apparel with something we’d wear on the third date. You know, something black or pink (or PINK) and lacy or sheer – something sexy. Before writing this blog post, I knew from stealing my roommate’s Victoria’s Secret catalogue that the company also sells clothing. But the website blew me away! The top of the homepage includes links to bras and panties (we knew that), sleepwear and lounge attire, clothing, shoes, swim, beauty, sales and specials, and PINK wear. This is a Victoria’s Secret like I’ve never seen it – I had no idea that they had so much inventory and selection!

The homepage and website as a whole is easy to navigate and set against a crisp, clean white background. The space on the page is well-designed and aesthetically pleasing. The homepage features sales, specials, and news, such as swimwear sales, free bonuses with purchase, and fall fashion previews. The bottom of the page includes a variety of relevant and helpful links, including “Check Order Status”, “Customer Service”, “Request a Catalogue”, “Find a Store Near You”, and “Angel Card”. The homepage itself matches the brand, and successfully straddles the line between sexy and pragmatic.

With Victoria’s Secret offering more than just third-date apparel, I wanted to find out what my user experience on the site and product variety would be if I wanted to find a cute top for a first or second date. I clicked on “clothing”, and was directed to a new page in which “Tops & Tees $14 & Up” was featured most prominently. In a sidebar, items were grouped into categories: Sexy Steals, Features, Destination Summer, Dresses, Tops & Tees, Shirts & Blouses, Sweaters, Pants, Yoga & Loungewear, Shorts, Denim, Skirts, Suit Separates, Jackets & Coats, and Handbags & Accessories. The sidebar remained present on each page of Women’s Clothing.I followed the “Tops & Tees” link, clicked on a babydoll tee, and used a size chart to determine the correct size for me. After that, I selected one of the many available colors, as well as the quantity, and added the shirt to my bag (adding to a wishlist was also an option). Following the add, I was given a suggested list of items “we think you’ll also love”.

All in all, I really enjoyed the Victoria’s Secret site. Its design was organic, well organized, easy to navigate, and subtly sexy throughout. I was impressed by the wide variety of merchandise (fifteen pages of tops & tees, and over twenty new styles of denim!). I believe it would be fun, easy, and overall enjoyable to select a first or second date outfit using the site, not to mention an outfit for the beach, a night out on the town, the perfect pumps, or a lip gloss for the perfect pout. Check out the site today, and soon you’ll be the sight to be seen!

Written by: Lauren Blackwell - SpeedUSA Resident Blogger

Cheeky Gifts!

For Her: A great idea on the second or third date is to bring her a little gift. This is a really sweet idea that will really warm her heart, especially since it seems the old time standard first date flowers are a thing of the past. But after the first date, bringing a small gift shows that you were thinking of her, that you wanted to do a little something for her, and, if you get a gift that’s a bit unique, you were listening to her interests and were paying attention. That’s how you know she loves sailing and why you bought her little anchor earrings. The thing is you’re not going to go buy her expensive jewelry this early on, and no one expects you to. But just a little trinket can show that you’re really interested in who she is and that you care. There is a store on Prince Street and West Broadway in Soho called Girl Props. It’s an accessory store chock full of low price goodies. What makes this store your stop for that gift is that it’s got something for every woman. Some things are pretty, some are just silly. But your choice depends on what you gathered about your date the first one or two times you met. Here you can get her something creative and fun that will really make her say “wow, not only was he listening, but how original was this idea?!” Is she a little punk rock? Go for a cute studded bracelet. The kind of girl that embraces her eighties childhood and struck up conversation about what shows you guys used to watch? Girl Props actually has novelty jewelry with miniature eighties-era toys on them. (Is she going to wear that to a nice place? Well, no, but she’ll adore the thought and treasure it.) Is she more of a glam girl, loving a little glitz? Go for a delicate chain necklace with a pretty and sparkly rhinestone charm. You won’t spend more than $20.00 here, but you will walk out with a gift that will get you another date.
For Him: Same goes for you girls buying your guy something. Early on in the dating, you don’t want to go grandiose with the gift, you just want to get a little something that shows you were listening to him and what he likes, maybe even what his childhood was like. The gift in this stage is all about being thoughtful. Check out the classic St. Mark’s Comics on St. Mark’s Place between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. This tiny landmark is crammed with all things guy (and girl, of course). Your date does not have to be a comic book geek for you to find something that will totally catch him off guard with pleasant surprise. There are comics for every taste and interest, knick-knacks…okay, I know, women do not want to encourage the immature, toy-loving side in their guys. But this is just a fun little something that will show you were really paying attention to him, and that you thought of him enough to go get him that toy he spoke about worshipping when he was twelve. After this you don’t have to buy him any more toys or comics, I promise. But this will make you that unbeatably cool girl, and all of his friends will be jealous.

Girl Props - Soho

St. Mark's Comics - NY / Brooklyn

Written by: Courtney Iseman - SpeedNY Dating Resident Blogger

Have a Laugh - UK Style!

Looking for something to watch... something funny... not too long. Show her you have a sense of humor with an English twist. If you haven't heard of 'Fawlty Towers' do try to extricate yourself from the rock you have been under and get ready to laugh...hard. "Fawlty Towers" is a British sitcom made by BBC and first broadcast in 1975. Now before you cry "That's before my time!", this is timeless. The setting is in a fictional hotel called Fawlty Towers, located in the seaside town of Torquay, along the "English Riviera". Written, created and performed to perfection by the great John Cleese of 'Monty Python' fame, this is one sitcom not to be missed. Considered by many to be the greatest comedy of our time, the show blends sarcasm, biting humor and wit like no other has before and since (except maybe Seinfeld... but it's a close call).

The series focuses on the exploits and misadventures of short-fused hotelier Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil and their employees; porter and waiter Manuel, maid Polly and chef Terry. The episodes typically revolve around Basil's efforts to succeed in 'raising the tone' of his hotel and his increasing frustration at the numerous complications and mistakes, both from his own and those of others, which prevent him doing so. Much of the humour comes from Basil's overly aggressive manner, engaging in angry but witty arguments with guests, staff and in particular his formidable wife, whom he addresses (in a faux-romantic way) with insults such as "my little piranha fish" and "my little next of vipers". At the end of some episodes, Basil succeeds in annoying (or at least bemusing) the guests and frequently gets his comeuppance.

Due to the show's popularity, DVD sets of the series are a snap to find. If you are out and about, pop into 'Best Buy' or check out 'Netflix' if you can't leave the sofa. Both are sure to have plenty of copies on hand. Episodes are a half hour each and provide that perfect opportunity to snuggle up and laugh with your date while not encroaching too much on the rest of the night. And whatever do, "Don't mention the war!"

Fawlty Towers - BBC - DVD Sets & Additional Information

Written by: SpeedNY Dating

All the help you can get...

Have that special someone you've been dating for awhile? Looking for a little fun with food? I found a website that specializes in all things "Gourmet Food and Cooking" related. Within this treasure trove of information, I found a page dedicated to 'Aphrodisiac Foods'. A bit of history, why certain foods are considered 'aphrodisiac', food list and of course, recipe list. From Almonds to figs, to mustard...some will definitely surprise you. Try not to fancy yourself a Gordon Ramsey while using all the ingredientsand suggested recipes on the first date. It's a lovely bit of fun for that lovely in your life.www.gourmetsleuth.com/aphrodis_foods.htm

After you have feverishly copied the food list and recipes do try to stop by the main site where one can educate themselves, Gourmet Style. Their goal is to help inform and educate people interested in food, cooking and eating. They have a wide assortment of culinary articles on various foods and cooking topics and publish recipes that take a "how to" approach. They also answer culinary related questions and do so eagerly.

In addition to their own content, "Gourmet Sleuth" maintains a huge database of food, beverage (wine, beer, alcohol) related sites. So if you are looking for recipes, looking to add to your culinary database or to act like you know what you are talking about, this is a great place to start.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Penny Wise

I found a lovely service recently and thought I would share with my loyal readers. A fantastic service in the best of times and an absolute necessity in the current times. Introducing, Lifebooker.com. On Lifebooker you can search, browse, and book appointments at the top health and beauty spots in Los Angeles for free. You'll not only find exclusive deals, but you'll earn rewards towards your next appointment each time you book. Lifebooker.com negotiates exclusive deals at Los Angeles' top health and beauty spots which ensure the best deals in town all while making you feel not only fabulous when you leave your appointment, but fabulous from the time you put your appointment request in. Feel like that Industry bigwig with your own personal assistant. Minus of course, any cell phone throwing. :)

Now you can book a massage, blowout, or any other service, quickly and privately. Another lovely bit of fun is is the Reward Dollars offered towards any service on their site. For example, book and rate a $100 facial for your first appointment and they'll give you $5 in rewards. Unlike other online directories, they only display ratings and reviews from clients who have actually honored appointments. Their system also records the specific service your fellow Lifebooker client received, so you'll know if a rating refers to a manicure or a haircut.

Think of it as a Travelocity for all things beauty and health. Not just for women, men can enjoy all the pampering and styling LA affords at a price, everyone can afford.

Lifebooker.com - Los Angeles/New York

Written by: SpeedLA /SpeedNY Dating

Planning the Perfect Dance

Let me tell you a funny story: I went on a first date with a really cute guy who liked to dance. Eager to impress him, and excited to kickup my heels, I spent a week researching the perfect dance spots forour tryst. I ended up going with a friend’s recommendation for LaCaverna, a lounge/restaurant located on Rivington. She assured me that the music was good, the crowd was lively and the décor would keep the conversation flowing.

When my date and I arrived, we were directed down a tunnel-like flight of stairs and—to my horror—into a large, dimly lit room where plaster stalactites hung from the top of a plaster cave ceiling. The worst part was, the dance floor was empty and the DJ was playing songs I hadn’t heard since junior high. I did a mental gasp, and tried to quickly think of a good excuse for having wound up at a dingy version of Mars 2112. Luckily, my date was a gentleman and we both laughed the experience off over a round of molten lava cocktails.

Sometimes friends don’t always offer the best advice when it comes to suggesting the perfect place to take a date dancing. But there is one thing that never lies—and that’s TV. Take shows like Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew for example. Each show is leaving its mark on the nation as ballroom dance classes are now flooded with fans and retailers are describing a new trend towards hip hop-inspired apparel. Inspiration for the perfect dancing date is right in front of your eyes and New York City has all the resources you need to make it happen. Here’s a quick guide to some of the city’s best dancing:

Make like The Knick City Dancers and sign up for two spots in one of Broadway Dance Center’s hip hop classes. The school boasts top-notch teachers and basic and beginner level classes. If you’ve been practicing the moves to Beyonce’s Single Ladies, this is the place to finally show them off.

If you were inspired when Mario Lopez and George Hamilton hit the stage in the first season of Dancing with the Stars, sign up at one of the city’s schools that boast lessons in swing, salsa, tango and merengue. Dance Chelsea offers an introductory lesson that runs through a variety of styles in one 30-minutes session. To master the moves you and your partner can commit to a longer string of sessions atDance Manhattan Ballroom Swing & Latin Studio.

Once the weather heats up you may be inspired to do a little dancing under the stars and New York’s got plenty of places for outdoor practice. Starting July 7th, head to Lincoln Center for their annual Midsummer Night Swing series. For $30 dollars you can enjoy an hour-long dance lesson,followed by live performances. This year they’re featuring Chubby Checker, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra

Written by: Libby Dowd - SpeedNY Dating Resident Blogger