New Year's Resolutions for Singles

By now, you've probably started to think of some New Year's Resolutions. Exercise more? Purchase one less latte a week from your favorite cafe? Well, if you're like most single people, one of those probably has something to do with a new boyfriend or girlfriend. The talented first date experts at It's Just Lunch Toronto can give you a hand with that last one. But we also have some other suggestions for you to help make 2016 your best year...

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Holiday Wishes from It's Just Lunch Toronto Matchmakers

Happy holidays! I can't help but smile while I look back upon the past year as a matchmaker at It's Just Lunch Vancouver. I'm fortunate to have a career where I can help singles find their heart match. I enjoy helping people find happiness to last their lifetime. For that, I want to say THANK YOU. I appreciate your my readers, clients and friends. I have learned so much from your support and comments -- which in turn helps other clients....

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Surviving the Holidating Season

It's the season of love, generosity, joy to the world, peace on earth . . . and, of courses, the added pressures of shopping for loved ones, holiday parties and Christmas plans with the family.  Not to mention, there's that special someone you have recently met and want to get to know a bit better. The holiday season can easily push two people towards coupledom too soon or it can let a new spark fizzle out due to other commitments. So, what...

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Winter Dating Survival Tips

How often do your plans get waylaid due to the bone-chilling temperatures or unexpected temper tantrums from Mother Nature? December in Toronto can be cold, miserable and, quite frankly, isolating. Who wants to battle the harsh conditions outside when Netflix and hot cocoa sounds so much more inviting. Tis a harsh season for those seeking social encounters. It's not easy to look like a 10 on the hotter-than-hot scale when you are wearing three...

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Bring on the Heat for the Second Date

Ok. We’ve all been there. Fighting off the first date jitters can be quite a job. A call to the best friend for support, a bottle opener and designated driver, or even a quick chat with your therapist (the first available neighbor at the mailbox). BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND DATE? Those first date jitters grew into real anticipation in the past few days and now, expectations of another great time are running high. This could be the "make or break"...

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Laws of Attraction: Learn to Tell Stories

Have you ever watched the guests on late night talk shows? Whether it is a political figure, a silver screen sweetheart pushing her latest movie or one of your favorite singers, each guest has a story to tell their audience and host.  The stories are usually some odd event that happened on the way to the studio, their most recent shopping adventure or the awkward airplane moment. In their brief few minutes on the stage, the guest pulls in...

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Kindness is Key on First Dates

Ideally, it would be fantastic if every relationship, partnership or office interaction left people better off in life. It would be great if every encounter boosted our spirits, increased our confidence and put a smile on our face. The truth of it is, life rarely works the way we want it to and not all encounters serve to bring out the best in us. Dating can leave you feeling vulnerable and fragile. Our self esteem may take a hit or a personality...

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Everyone Loves a Sense of Humour; But It's Tricky

One of the most popular personality traits people claim to be searching for is a sense of humour. My clients usually tell me that their dream guy or gal is someone who can make them laugh. We are all attracted, in love and friendship, to the people who lift our moods, give a spring in our step and help shine the light on the brighter side of life. They make us feel good and it feels good to be with them. Laughter has a way of bringing us together....

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Interesting Toronto Singles are Seeking . . . YOU!

It's Just Lunch Toronto is seeking . . . YOU! As a matchmaker, I am always looking for possible matches for my Toronto area clients.  These professional men and women lead busy, fulfilling lives with friends, family, career and travel. Yet, a successful love life is the one aspect they desire. They are motivated to find a partner to share all that life has to offer. Are you interested? Please email me at date@ijlelite.ca or fill out...

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Lean In, Think Big When It Comes to Love

There's been plenty of buzz around Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In Movement. The bare bones of the idea is to encourage women via forums, groups, lectures, circles and other methods of support to "lean in" to their careers. Push forward towards positions of leaderships. I believe in the well-rounded person. If you are working to advance your career using a "lean in" approach, let's use the same technique to push forward with your relationships goals. "My...

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The More Honest You Are, The Better Your Next Date

As a matchmaker, I have heard all kinds of crazy, off the wall, can't-believe-I-just-heard-that reasons as to why a man or woman doesn't want to see their date again. In many cases, the client turns on the matchmaking  team and blames the lackluster first date on the matchmaker. Need an example? Here are just a few: "You sent me out on a date with someone who is clearly emotionally unavailable." "They're just looking to hook up and that...

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It’s Just Lunch Toronto Reviews from Matchmaking Clients

It's been a busy day of matching in the Toronto office. Nothing is more rewarding than hearing positive feedback from our clients! John from Toronto wants to share his IJL experience: "The date coordinators in Toronto are professional and caring. I have been on some exceptional dates with a host of lovely talented women of substance that golf, ski, dive and much more. I would never have had the opportunity to meet these women in my day to...

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Back-To-Dating Checklist from the Toronto Matchmakers

There’s something nostalgic about this back-to-school time of year..newly sharpened pencils, binders in all your favorite colors, old friends and new friends. Back in the day, your mom probably took you shopping for new clothes, and you stocked up on all of those fresh, new school supplies that armed you with confidence for the new school year. Just like you had to get your ducks in a row before school started, it’s smart to prepare yourself before...

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Toronto's Bachelorette of the Week

Guys, I hope you’re ready because we’ve been interviewing some incredible women lately! Here is a little bit about a new female client that we’re all excited to be working with and matching: Not only is our bachelorette a fun-loving blonde hair/brown-eyed stunner, she has the smarts to back it up!  She is a successful entrepreneur in her mid 30’s with a creative flair and the proud Mom to her son. She is very fit and active, she...

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How to Date a Dog Lover

Think romance has gone to the dogs? You might be right. According to the 2014 Canadian Pet Market Outlook, 32 per cent of Canadian households own dogs which equates to 5.9 million households. Don’t be surprised then if you run into a dog lover during your search for a partner.  In the same way you hope to partner with a man or woman whose parenting styles align with your own, the same can be said about the relationship they have with...

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3 Dating Trends That Need to Be Deleted

Every generation is governed by dating rules. Those guidelines we shouldn't cross or have to follow in the pursuit of love. The tricky thing is that singles feel they have to follow these arbitrary rules as they change from generation to generation. For example, the don't call within three days has become the text within three minutes of the termination of the date. Here are just a few dating rules generated by the age of technology that we...

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Stepping Out of Your Dating Rut

The definition of rut is "a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change." A dating rut is like watching NASCAR, it feels like you are making laps with the same people. There are moments of dating that the whole process seems difficult difficult lemony difficult. It's exhausting. You're spending more money on dates than you are on rent. I get it. We've all been there. Like any good sporting or life...

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Light a Fire with Your Date: Go Camping

So, you've been out with your new sweetheart several times. You've done the dinner date, been to concerts in the park and even backyard barbecues with each of your besties.  By now, you know she takes her coffee sans milk and that he's not fond of shellfish. Yet, you find yourself wondering if this person could be "the one." How do you know she is right for you? It's time to test your true colors in a potentially make or break activity that...

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Be the CEO of Your Dating Life

You know what you want in a car or the dimensions of a TV. You have zeroed in on your favorite toothpaste and only purchase your favorite dark roast bean for your morning cup of Joe.  You know what makes you comfortable at home and efficient while at work. For many, dating is the one area where people flounder when it comes to reaching beyond their comfort zone. A lot of people are unhappy with their dating life.  In a world that...

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How Successful People Can Be More Successful at Dating

It's the old story replicated in Hollywood movies, self-help books and on dating profiles: the attractive, smart, witty, funny, successful business person who has been unlucky in love. It's a story we are all familiar with and may even be the starring role in the current remake. How can these successful professionals use their skills to get a promotion in their love life? Here are a few ways: 1) Be Proactive In the business world, top sales personal...

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Listening is the Easiest Way to Impress Your Date

How often do you practice your "elevator pitch" for the upcoming networking event? How many times have you rehearsed what you should say on a first date? Or what you are going to say if they ask about work (family, hobbies)? We all do it. It's our way of handling the expected -- nerves! Most of us approach a date thinking of what it is we want to tell the other person. Our personal "elevator pitch" that highlights our successes, accomplishments...

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Add Dimensions to Your Relationships Beyond Words

Any good designer will tell you that the key to creating a warm, comfortable room is by adding layers of variation in texture. It's what makes the space interesting. It creates depth. It adds dimensions to your home. As a matchmaker, I think the same applies to relationships. Love is a powerful emotion that can be conveyed much deeply through our actions and the little things we do. Add "variation in texture" to your relationship by showing how...

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A Second Date? How to Handle the End of Your First Date

The dinner is done. The tab has been split. The after-dinner mint consumed. Now what? Do you ask for a second date or let the moment pass? Well, to be frank, this is the part of the date that everyone hates. Let Them Down Gently If you're not interested in seeing them again, it's important to be straightforward. If the person isn't right for you, then it's better to deal with it head on right now than have it drag out over several emails, texts...

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To Date or Not to Date Outside Your Profession: Pros & Cons

Do you or someone you know base your dating preferences on a person's profession or career? If you've ever wondered what it would be like to date professionals within your field or outside your industry, then this is the blog post for you. After polling more than 4,000 singles, It's Just Lunch discovered that nearly 70% of professional singles preferred dating someone outside their industry completely rather than dating someone in a similar...

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How Dating is Like Hiring an Employee

I recently read an article on Forbes.com, entitled "Four Ways to Improve Your Hiring Process," and couldn't help thinking how it related to dating. In a company, the hiring process is the most important strategic element of a company because "every new employee will either improve the organization or lower it -- and managers should be seeking and hiring employees who will enable the company to grow and become more profitable." In dating, the...

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The Unexpected Twists of Being an Older Single

Often times, midlife singles jumping into (or back into) the dating scene can feel a bit panicky. It's like the hourglass has shifted and time is running out to find the one. They, at first, feel like they are too old to be dating and yet to young to be alone for the rest of their lives. These contradictory feelings of being out of step arise after the breakup of a long relationship or perhaps the grieving process after the death of a loved one....

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It Really Does Take Two to Tango!

Some singles have a hard time deciphering whether or not their date is genuinely interested in them. People express themselves differently depending on their personality temperament or even past experiences. In fact, it's not at all uncommon for some singles to mistake attention for affection. The key to finding out if someone is interested in you as a friend, or possibly more, is through the act of reciprocity. Think about this way. Most...

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Dating Pitfalls: "If Only . . ." Trap

"If only I could win the lottery." "If only I would've taken that job." "If only I could meet a nice, job-stable man." "If only there was a decent girl in Toronto to marry." Oh, the list goes on. The allure of the "if only" is that we utter it when things aren't going the way we want or expected. It's our way of saying that "if only" this occurred, our lives would be better, fuller, etc. "The phrase “if only” is the spandex of rationalization....

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The Best Question to Ask on a First Date

Everyone faces challenges, no matter their economic status or age. Talking about them helps us to bond with those around us. In fact, it helps to open the doors to sharing priorities and what is important to them. According to the former head of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Program Robin Dreeke via an article by Eric Barker, the best question to ask someone, even on a first date, is about the challenges they face. Dreeke goes on to suggest asking...

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Warming Things Up on the Second Date Can Impact Your Date's Perceptions

Ok. We’ve all been there. Fighting off the first date jitters can be quite a job.  A call to the best friend for support, an emergency chat with your therapist (or the first available neighbor at the mailbox) and possibly even a one-sided conversation with your furry pet. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND DATE? Those first date jitters grew into real anticipation in the past few days and now, expectations of another great time are running high....

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Throw Your Own Singles Super Bowl Bash - Tips and Ideas

The Super Bowl event is one of those occasions singles everywhere can enjoy regardless of how they feel about football or the teams they will be rooting for.  It offers a chance for strangers to come together in camaraderie, shared passions and on the field competition. It is a celebration of amazing feats and a sound board for the occasional disappointment. Which leads us to ask, where will you be watching the Super Bowl this year?...

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Too Busy to Date? Tips for Busy, Professional Singles

You’re busy. Everyone these days seems to be running full speed ahead with a demanding jobs, working out at the gym, hobbies and family events. We flutter from one to-do to another in a hurried pace that barely allows us enough time to breath let alone make new connections with potential mates. Oh, that not to say you haven't tried. You have. You've tried the traditional ways of meeting new people including that awkward yoga class. You've...

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