Nadia Essex – Date Nights

Nadia Essex

LOVE & DATING

NADIA IS BEST KNOWN FOR HER WORK ON POPULAR E4 TV SHOW ‘CELEBS GO DATING’ AND HAS WORKED AS A LOVE COACH FOR MORE THAN A DECADE NOW. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MARRIAGES, RELATIONSHIPS AND BABIES ALL EXISTING BECAUSE OF NADIA’S TIPS AND ADVICE! LOOK UP MY GWYN PHEROMONE POTIONS TO HELP YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED WHETHER YOU NEED TO GET YOUR MOJO BACK IT’S - S*X ME, IF YOU ARE TIRED OF BEING SINGLE THEN LOVE ME IS FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP AND LOST THE SPARKLE THEN IT’S SPARK BACK.

DATE NIGHTS

Happy New Year darlings. I love a New Year’s resolution and love feeling like you get a fresh slate come January. I have a feeling that in terms of dating 2023 is going to be a BIG one. Lots of dating trends and love of new relationships forming. January is time for reflection and healing so get your self-help books and start that workout programme so come Spring you are feeling great and ready to get back out there and find your true love. Once you are ready to start dating next comes the actual date! So here are my top 5 date night options for a range of budgets. It’s important to remember date night is less about the money spent and more about the effort.

1. DINNER DATE

Now I realise you may think this is standard and boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Do your research of a wonderful local restaurant with fresh local ingredients, family run or somewhere you have heard about and really want to try but no fast food or chain restaurants, they can suck the romance out of any date. To elevate the date - research the menu and read the reviews beforehand and make sure there are options for you and your date and you get a feel for the place. Arrive at the restaurant at least 15-20 mins early and speak to the waiter, ask if there are any recommendations on the food and what the most popular dishes are. Speak to the sommelier and ask if there are any recommendations for the food you think you are going to choose, what are the most popular wines. When your date arrives they will be impressed by your knowledge. Men pay for the date. DO not accept half and if you have a voucher excuse yourself at the end and say you are using the bathroom and go pay the bill away from the table. If you can’t afford the bill, then don’t go to that restaurant! No one expects Nobu every date. Small independent restaurants are usually great value and you get a better experience but not paying for the date is a romance killer.

2. MOVIE NIGHT

Again, may sound simple but your effort can elevate your movie night to the next level. First set the scene. You will need low lighting, candles and nice smells. Freshly popped popcorn, homemade mulled wine on the stove, you want all of their senses to be tingling well before the movie even starts. You need a nice comfy couch and a big blanket that is soft, and you can cuddle up under. No synthetic material that will make you both sweat. You will need snacks and beverages ready to go. Get a variety of options including sweet and savoury. Bubbles or alcohol like sparkling Prosecco are winners. Make sure the TV is clean. No dust or fingerprints on the screen. Now each of you write down and add 5 movies to a bowl and once a week for 10 weeks you randomly pick out the one to watch. If the sound on your TV is rubbish, then you can get a soundbar on Amazon. There are a range of budgets but even the ones for less than £30 are good and great sound when watching a movie takes the experience to the next level.

3. LEARN A NEW SKILL

Learn a new skill or take a class together. There are loads of painting and wine nights, origami, book clubs etc. popping up all over. Even if you have never painted this is a fun activity that is still intimate and interesting,

DATE NIGHTS

and you can have a giggle at the pictures afterwards if you don’t take it too seriously. To elevate this date then don’t tell your date where you are going. You pick them up in a deluxe taxi and have a bottle of bubbles waiting to drink en route. There is something extremely romantic about drinking bubbles in the back of a luxury car and really takes the date to the next level. You will also have time to connect and speak in the car and be fully relaxed and ready for your class once you arrive.

4. ANTIQUE HUNTING, MARKETS AND A ROAST

What better way to spend a Sunday day date than wondering Antique Shops, browsing the lovely Markets followed by a delicious roast in a pub with a fire. The good thing about browsing for Antiques is there is no pressure to buy so you really can relax and enjoy the experience. I have wasted many an afternoon with my partners in the nooks and crannies of an Antique shop, wandering the local farmer’s markets followed by a big roast and bottle of red wine to finish off the perfect day. It’s intimate, cost effective and very romantic.

5. DAY TRIP TO PARIS

Before you dismiss the idea, I promise you can go to Paris for the day and have the most wonderful time for £350 all in. You grab the first train from London at 6:31am and will be in the centre of Paris before 10am. Then spend the day wondering the beautiful streets, eating French street food and drinking the most wonderful coffee and wine. Not to mention the museums and galleries, most of which are free to attend. You travel back on the last train at 7pm and are back in London before 9pm. A nightcap in The Pullman Hotel bar at St Pancras before heading home with the most wonderful memories and a date story that both of you will remember for ever.

IN SUMMARY

Dating isn’t strictly for singles. The biggest advice I give couples is to continue date night even in your relationship. There is a direct correlation between the healthiness of a relationship and how often they take the time to still have date night, it’s that important. If you are single, never forget to take yourself on dates too! Going to a gallery, class, concert, restaurant, cinema alone is extremely liberating and a wonderful form of self-care. Until next month darlings, remember you deserve nothing less than true love.

Join me next month for more insights into the crazy world of love and dating. Follow me on Instagram to say hi @ladynadiaessex