Our Vegas Wedding (Video)

You guys, we got remarried! In Las Vegas, of all places! By none other than Elvis himself.
It was hysterical. It was EPIC. It was a whole bunch of fun. I’m going to be writing more about this soon, but in the meantime, check out the video right here from the Viva Las Vegas wedding [...]

Lessons from a Long-Haul Flight

Wow, we’ve arrived in Vegas and hit the ground running with barely enough time to get in everything we want to do! We’ve been conferencing as part of BlogWorld Expo 2010, and squeezing in tiny bits of Vegas around the sessions and the parties.
For all my advice about traveling as a couple, I had to [...]

What Do You Wear to Your Vegas Wedding?

Good question! Thanks for asking.
Well, originally I was all about the Betty Draper mid-century theme to match my Elvis wedding.
I thought it would be an awesome twist on a Vegas Wedding… classy, while still keeping in theme. And those fashions are everywhere right now!

I was totally coveting the one from the Louis Vuitton campaign, but [...]

Is This Blogworld’s First Vegas Wedding?

What Happens In Vegas…. well, what happens in Vegas is actually legally binding worldwide so you better watch yourself if you wake up in a veil next to your new husband.
Luckily for me I’m already married so there’s not much damage that can be done while we’re in the midst of our Vegas Haze at [...]

mX Column: The Back-Up Guy

Over breakfast the other morning with a girlfriend, I was discussing The Back-Up Guy.
You know, the guy or girl who is always there lingering in the background of your relationship, the one you sometimes think about, wondering what life would be like if you’d ended up with them?

The one you could probably end up with [...]

Iron & Candy (6th) Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

I want candy! Do-do-do-do. I-iii want can-dee!
I’m not even at my second wedding anniversary but I’m super excited already to get to my sixth because you know what, daters? The traditional gift is CANDY! If the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory Actually existed, now would be the time to source yourself a golden ticket.
Oh, [...]

mX Column: The First Date

The first date. The job interview of the dating world. You have but one chance at this.
Don’t. Stuff. It. Up.
The pressure is on to make a good first impression. You want the venue to speak volumes about your taste, it also needs to be classy without trying too hard.

My dear friend E was taken on [...]

San Francisco, Here We Come!

So on our date night US mini-tour we’re also including beautiful San Francisco. I’m compiling our Must-Do Dates right now and would love your input. Here’s some things already on the list… tell us what you think, and add your own too!

Find the Tamale Lady and the Creme Brulee Guy
Free Swing Lesson in Golden Gate [...]

Revealed: What Relationships Really Cost You

Well we know nothing comes for free these days. Turns out not even love is free. It comes at a cost.
And the going rate is two of your best friends. Ouch!
From The Age Newspaper:
“Research has shown that when people start a new romantic relationship they are likely to lose two members of their inner circle [...]

5 Marvellous Date Ideas Beginning with M

Museum Date
Soak in some culture and history at a museum – a great way to spend an afternoon together and enrich your beings all at once. Go for your city’s flagship museum or find an off-beat, quirky little niche museum… there are thousands of these all over the world, we bet there’s some in [...]

mX Column: Innocent Flirtations?

I was at a cocktail party with my man the other week when I turned to see a very attractive, very leggy brunette launching herself at him (she was more than a little tipsy) and planting kisses on his face.
I don’t know what you would’ve done, but I laughed and turned back to my own [...]

5 Lovely Date Ideas Beginning With L

Love Conversation Starters
These adorable little cards from Kikki-K are one of our favourite things for couples. Full of fun little questions for you to quiz each other on, it’s a great activity to do while on a picnic, and most especially if you’ve been seeing each other for some time. It’s likely you’ll discover [...]

M is for Money

Money, money, money. Got a huge jar of spare change at your place? Cash it in at the bank and use the spoils as your date night budget this week! You won’t believe how much cash you have sitting in one little jar!

The $30 Date Night US Mini-Tour

Daters, we are US-bound! $30 Date Night is going to hit America next month and we couldn’t be more excited. We’re going to be dating our way across Vegas, New York and San Francisco in our first ever $30 Date Night Mini-Tour.
There’s a lot in store, but first and foremost we need your help.

We’re taking [...]

mX Column: I Can’t Believe I Went Out With You

Just the other day, I just had one of the greatest moments of clarity available to a person who has had their heart broken.
Thank heavens for the internet. It allows us to virtually and remotely drop in on our exes and see what they’re up to.
From the safety of your computer screen, they [...]

All You Need to Know About Gift-Giving

In one of our many, many differences, Den doesn’t come from a big gift giving family while I come from The Biggest gift giving family you’ve ever seen.
In fact, when Den and I met he was quick to tell me that he doesn’t “do” presents. For the first birthday I had when we were friends/sleeping [...]

mX Column: Clap if You Believe in Soulmates

One thing you should know about me is that I’m a hopeless romantic.
Roses, candles, love letters, chocolates… I’m a sucker for all the tacky clichés and I don’t care if it’s wrong. I don’t even want to be right.
When I was younger and more impressionable I also believed in soulmates.
That there was one person you [...]

4 Kooky Date Ideas Beginning with K

Our K-date was kind of dismal this week… but more about that later. In the meantime, here are four K date ideas for those playing along at home!
Fly a Kite
Let’s go fly a kite… up to the highest heights! I’ve had that song stuck in my head all week. Pick a clear, sunny [...]

Danny & Annie: A Love Story

I was lucky enough to find this video in my web travels last night (thanks to Sarah Prout for sharing it) and I just had to post it here for everyone because this is a story that should be told. It’s sad (you’ve been warned – grab a Kleenex before you hit play) but also [...]

mX Column: Can Men and Women Be ‘Just Friends’?

Can men and women ever really just be good friends?
Jealous girlfriends everywhere will tell you no, they can’t.
The media further fuels those insecure thoughts – there aren’t all that many prototype examples of what a cross-sex platonic friendship should look like. And too often, these on-screen friendships turn into Happily Ever After (Monica and Chandler, [...]

J is for Jigsaw Puzzle

I loved our J date idea. It was a horrible, cold, rainy Melbourne afternoon – no one would want to be outside in that. Luckily, we were prepared and snuggled in our warm apartment with a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle that I picked up from the supermarket for $3.99…

5 Great Date Ideas Beginning with J

Jigsaw Puzzle
On a rainy afternoon, settle in with one of those huge 500-piece jigsaw puzzles and some hot chocolate and yummy snacks. It’s a great way to spend a miserable day together.
Jump Yourself Silly
Ever seen one of those trampoline parks? They have indoor and outdoor ones, it’s basically Olympic-sized trampolines all set next [...]

mX Column: Wooing Women Right

Are men running out of ideas for wooing women?
So far in dating evolution, we’ve seen a full gamut of techniques, from dragging cave women back to the cave, reading sonnets, wolf-whistling and tooting car horns, sleazy one-liners (“Is there a mirror in your pants?”) and, in most recent years, the insult.

“Negging” is the official name [...]

Everything You Need to Know About Budgeting as a Couple – Part 3

So, you’ve successfully held a couples money and budgeting meeting together, as outlined in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series. Now what? Guest Poster Timothy Ng fills us in on how to ensure smooth ongoing handling of finances.
Successfully Managing the Budget as a Couple
With an understanding of your partner’s attitude to money, [...]

5 Fifth (Wooden) Anniversary Gift Ideas

Wood. Solid, reliable wood. Did you know that every piece of wood is completely individual, with it’s own unique markings that act just like a fingerprint?
And think of all the things that are built using wood. Whole houses are built on wooden frames. There’s no doubt of it’s sturdiness and usefulness.
And so, wood is a [...]

Om Nom Nom… Tasty Date Night Giveaway!

Melbourne daters, you’re in luck! We have five double passes, worth $55, to giveaway so you and your sweetie can have a date night at the upcoming Taste of Melbourne event, to be held at the Royal Exhibition Buildings from 26-29 August.

What is the Taste of Melbourne?
If you’ve never been, but you love good Melbourne [...]

Everything You Need to Know About Budgeting As a Couple – Part 2

So you’ve done your prep from Part One and you’re ready for your first Couples Money Meeting. Here’s how to tackle it. Part 2 in this series that we’ve asked guest poster Timothy Ng from Credit Card Finder to put together for us:
With your individual meeting prep done, it is time to lay the [...]

The 5 Best Date Ideas Beginning with I

Welcome to I week of ABC Dating. Here is the compiled list of I date ideas, for those of you who are playing along with our alphabet dating game at home.
Ice Hockey
Go see an ice hockey match! The sport has become more popular in recent years. Even our hometown of Melbourne has a [...]

Everything You Need to Know About Budgeting as a Couple

As I told you earlier in the year, I kinda suck at saving. I’m learning how this year, and it’s going okay. Den is exceptionally good at saving. Needless to say, the discrepancy causes a few, ahem, disagreements between the two of us. With the purchase of our first house looming ahead of us, it’s [...]

mX Column: Why is Food So Damn Sexy?

What is it about food that is just so damn sexy? Even the words we use to describe it are hot. Gooey, spicy, steamy food.
Food and love have been linked since… well, probably since the dawn of time.
I’m sure the most romantic thing a caveman could do for his cavewoman was bring home [...]

G is (also) for Games Night!

Relationships are all about games. The Hard-to-get Game. The If-You-Don’t-Know-Why-I’m-Angry-I’m-Not-Going-To-Tell-You Game. The Hide-the… oh, nevermind. The point is…

Do You Make These Relationship Mistakes?

Relationships don’t come with instruction manuals. It’s a funny thing, because anytime you’re embarking on a new adventure be it a baby, a holiday, or buying a house, you tend to research everything you can on the subject.
But how many people arm themselves with instructions on how to be in a relationship?

Not many. And certainly [...]

Write Wedding Vows You Can Be Proud Of

There’s the boring. There’s the funny. There’s the soppy. And then there’s that special balance in between that is touching and sweet while also packing a little giggle.
I think your goal when writing your wedding vows should be to get your audience to shed a few sentimental tears. Everyone comes to a wedding ready to [...]

5 Hot Date Ideas Beginning with H

Oooh… H is one of those tricky ones we keep coming across! These five Happy Date Ideas were the only ones I could come up with, but I know you clever little things will be able to offer some more great ideas to me as well.
Hedge Maze
Get lost in a hedge maze together. This is [...]

mX Column: The New Online Dating

Outsourcing is de rigueur in our technologically savvy world.
There are personal organisers, personal stylists and people to mow your lawn.

And now you can even outsource your dating life – or at least the more annoying aspects of it.
Online Dating consultants will, for a fee, do the hard work it takes you to [...]

Video: Best Public Proposal Ever

While I’m still completely glad that Den proposed to me in private (before springing all our in-on-it family and friends on me!), if he absolutely had to do it in public, I would’ve wanted one just like this. I’ve watched it about 5 times already and I tear up every time!

Let us know if you’ve [...]

mX Column: A Little Privacy

A friend of mine has taught her husband how to wax her pits for her. They are clearly a couple who are very comfortable with each other.
Me? I like to keep a bit of mystery going on in a relationship. Some things are best done behind closed doors.
Hell, I wouldn’t even reference my underarms in [...]

G is for Game Show

It was quite awhile ago that a user submitted an idea to the date night generator suggesting to go participate in a studio audience.

It ticks all the boxes as far a great date night goes for us – something new we’ve never done before, cheap and above all, fun, giving you something to talk about while on your date.

Get Lips Guys Will Love!

Continuing our week of beauty, the divine Stefanie from The Lip Print imparts her beauty wisdom on us with great tips for great lips!

Picture this: you’re enjoying a blissful Date Night with your partner. The mood is perfect, there’s ambient lighting and smooth background music. You close your eyes and lean in for a kiss [...]

Fuss-Free Beauty – New Fun Things

There are three new things in particular that have come to my attention this week in the fuss-free beauty arena. I’m pretty excited about them! As we discussed earlier in the week, being in a relationship makes me lazy when it comes to grooming. I know a lot of other women in the same boat. [...]

Fuss-Free Beauty – Things I Love

When it comes to my beauty routine, I’m kind of lazy. Add to that my general busy-ness and my hate of early mornings and what you get is a girl who either doesn’t have time or patience to spend hours in the bathroom every morning.
In an ideal world, one of two things would happen.
1) I would [...]

A Week of Beauty on $30 Date Night

Happy 201st Post, Daters! Just to mix things up a little bit, this week $30 Date Night is going to take a little deviation down the beauty route.
Why, you ask? What does that have to do with dating and relationships?
Plenty, it turns out.

Because if you feel good about yourself you’ll feel better [...]

Deal or No Deal, Baby!

Em’s and I have been keeping this one secret from you. G is for Game Show! DATE NIGHT on DEAL OR NO DEAL! The episode airs tonight (Thursday 15th July) – in Australia – 5.30pm EST on Channel 7.

F is for Football

With the high fever of the world cup that has been going on the past weeks, it was only logical that F be for Football in the grand scheme of Alphabet Dating.
After all, it’s only us Australians and the US that call it soccer. To the rest of the world, it is Football.

You [...]

Experts Confirm: Couples Need Date Night

Well, we’ve known it for awhile and every month or so we find more research and more expert opinions confirming the same: Couples need to find time in their schedules for date night, or risk ending up a divorce statistic.

This article from the Evening Tribune is a good one:
“It is not only important, it [...]

7 Great Date Ideas Beginning with G

G is for Green Date Ideas
Which we already discussed awhile ago. Click this link to see our Gorgeously Green Date Ideas list, compiled for us by Cate and Chris at GreenRenters.org
G is for Games

Like, board games. And such. Either hold a game night at home for the two of you or tuck [...]

6 Fruit-and-Flower (4th) Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

Well I am completely taken aback to learn that the fourth wedding anniversary traditional symbols are fruit and flowers! I didn’t expect that. I thought after paper, cotton and leather we were certainly starting to head towards some sort of semi-precious something…
Go figure.
Okay, well – when you think about it fruit and flowers [...]

mX Column: Casual Sex? Not Always Casual.

In the age of the casual hook-up, I’d hazard to say most people have had a bonk-buddy up their sleeve at some point for times of need.
It’s a common belief that women, in particular, have difficulty adjusting adapting to a casual sex arrangement.
But it turns out that is not our biggest worry when it comes [...]

mX Column: The Etiquette of Dating

What has happened to manners?
It seems everyone is so busy these days that there is no time for niceties – returning emails, RSVPing to parties and even saying thank you have fallen by the wayside.
When it happens with friends, we can understand, kiss and make up.
In dating, however, bad manners are unforgivable.

I was out one [...]

mX Column: There Is No “Mostly Equal”

NB: This column has been altered slightly from it’s original publication as I have an infinite word count on this blog.

There are many things straight couples take for granted that gay couples have had to fight for.
And on Monday, Eliza Bern’s article in mX sparked even more conversation on the topic.
Bern suggested the [...]