It’s about 10 minutes before he’s supposed to arrive and instead of anticipating the evening, I’m nauseous. My palms are sweaty, I’ve stared at myself in the mirror so long my eyes are beginning to cross and I’m actually planning who to use as my scapegoat in case things go wrong. This is typical behavior for me when it comes to the first date. Sure some call it the jitters, others may call me delirious, but when you live in LA dating can be stressful.
There are roughly 89,000 more single men in Los Angeles than women. With that many more eligible bachelors, a girl should feel like a kid in a candy store. However, just like all of the restaurant and entertainment options this city serves up, it also offers various types worth avoiding; and on those occasions when I give someone a chance and decide to try a formal date, my mind runs wild of what sort of person I’ll actually be getting to know.
Someone once told me that Los Angeles was loaded with “pockets of cool”; this is undoubtedly true, but here are four guys that may make it past Date One, but should definitely never enter any girls’ “cool” zone.
Mr. Pretentious – He’s the guy every girl thinks they want from afar. He looks confident and carefree and all you could think is, he may actually be cooler than me. He teases you and compliments you, but rejects social norms and mentions his Rolex, BMW or Limited Edition lime green Chad Muska’s any chance he gets. He’s old enough to act like an adult, but somehow that slid right past him. He has more feminine qualities and lower self-esteem than Ellen Page’s character in 2007’s The Tracey Fragments. Don’t let this guy fool you, he’ll never shut up about his material possessions and he will emotionally drain you during your role as his mother.
The Gift Giver – This one is really tricky. He’s the guy who shows up with a gift every time he sees you. Sounds amazing, right? No! Erase that idea from your head. He’ll use gifts to mask his horrible personality and plant little seeds of guilt when you want to break it off with the gorgeous Peonies bouquet and shining cutlery he brought over last week. Again, this one lacks self-esteem and the understanding that you need more than a wallet to impress a real woman.
The Party Boy – The one you hate to love. You met him at a bar and you hit it off instantly, you laugh and never want the night to end. The next day when your friends ask about him, you dodge all the obvious signs that he’s not right for you by reiterating over and over that, “he’s really fun”. Unless you’re just looking for a good time, run the opposite direction. Don’t mistake his goofy, laid back, no-long-term-goal-self as a promising specimen you can mold. We can’t change men, so why waste your time trying.
The Push Over – Every girl likes a challenge, so it’s no wonder that a few dates with this guy and every single lady in the country wants to throw him to the side. He’ll do whatever you want. He’ll take your abuse. He’ll dance when you say dance. He’ll always be available and he willingly gives up all interactions with his friends. Sure he’ll be your best friend, your shopping buddy and your punching bag, but who wants a man who isn’t manly?
Written by:
Crista Michelle - SpeedLA Dating Resident Blogger
When saying it with Hallmark just won't do, I offer you the Lemon Tree Bungalow on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. An uber boutique of gifts, cards, stationary, Dyptique and Illume candles, handcrafted soaps and sensual lotions with a generous helping of all things fun. With something for everyone, say it with a personal touch and go the extra mile with Lemon Tree Bungalow. This charming citrus-colored cottage is filled with beautiful gifts for the home. Brick floors and vine-framed windows create a peaceful and fanciful oasis from the bustling traffic outside.
Looking for Vegas without the Vegas? Someplace to feel like a King on a pauper's budget? Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula is just the spot. Located 50 miles outside of LA, is this Four Diamond Resort dripping with amenities. Take your love by the hand and head to the 188,000 square foot casino with over 2,000 slot machines and video machines. Of if your prefer, stop by the one of many Casino Bars, grab yourself a martini and slide up to one of the 160 table games one can impress or embarrass, ones self with. 
The best part of Pechanga is the value for money. Most weekends out of the year, expect to pay about $200 a night for a Deluxe Room. Rates drop significantly during the week. One splurge I highly recommend is the 1 Bedroom Suite and if your feeling extra flush, the Jacuzzi Suite. The 1 Bedroom Suite offer sitting rooms with a wet bar, separate sleeping quarters and one-and-a-half baths. Expect to pay about a $100 premium for the 1 Bedroom Suite. As for the Jacuzzi Suite, lavish in the Jacuzzi situated perfectly, overlooking the Temecula Wine Country, in the rather grand living room. For this treat, set aside an additional $200 a night above Deluxe Room rates.
It’s about 10 minutes before he’s supposed to arrive and instead of anticipating the evening, I’m nauseous. My palms are sweaty, I’ve stared at myself in the mirror so long my eyes are beginning to cross and I’m actually planning who to use as my scapegoat in case things go wrong. This is typical behavior for me when it comes to the first date. Sure some call it the jitters, others may call me delirious, but when you live in LA dating can be stressful.
Ladies - it's here! The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived...in Brentwood. No cuts. No color. Just blowouts. Only $35. Yes, $35. I was so excited to learn that this mecca of all things last minute and fabulous, had opened it's doors and turned on the blow driers! As if getting a blow out, isn't fun enough - the people behind Dry Bar, have added a unique element of creating a 'menu' for your preferred hairstyle. How much fun is it to order a Mai-Tai at 10 am or a Cosmopolitan at noon - finish me off with a Manhattan at 6pm!
Maybe it's the excitement. Maybe it's the roar of the crowd. Maybe it's the mountains standing tall over the track as my #4 Horse hits the daily double, but I find Horse Racing at Santa Anita Race Track to be incredibly romantic. While for the most part, Horse Racing Tracks are anything but glamorous, Santa Anita stands out from the crowd with it's rich history, impeccably maintained park and it's amazing view. There are quite a few options when it comes to taking in the track, depending on your wallet and if you want to stop by for a few races and a hot dog or take in racing as only a big shot can. If you're dressed a bit on the casual side, I would recommend saddling up to your date and sliding past General Admission into the Club House. Guests of the Club House enjoy great views of the track's first turn, complete wagering services and access to the Box Seat area and dining overlooking the track. Although a few bucks more than General Admission, it is a few pounds well spent. Grab a hot dog, slide into the dining area and place your bets. Now if your trying to make an impression, I've got just the thing.
So you've managed to get to the 'Next Day Breakfast' stage. Well, telephone the queen as we Brits say! However, a great breakfast isn't always the easiest to find in LA. Splash a bit of water in your face, give a kiss to your mate and stroll on over to Brighton Coffee Shop in Beverly Hills. A true coffee shop in every sense of the word... breakfast bar, friendly waitresses and food that you can count on to be consistently spot on. On the corner of Brighton Way & Camden Drive is perhaps one of the smallest dining rooms I've seen in LA that always seems to be full of eager diners looking for good coffee shop food and saving a pound to boot. Sidewalk service is quite nice and fun to people watch the 'tourists', watching back.
For us girls there are few things in life as fun as flirty lingerie. By this time, you have successfully forged through a few dates and are ready to take it up a notch. What better excuse to go splurge on yourself than for the "good of the relationship" right? One of the most fabulous stores in the whole world for all that is exotic and erotic, is Coco De Mer. There are only two CDM stores on the globe currently and I am very happy to say that those two places are London and Los Angeles.
No better way to reach a woman's heart than through her sweet tooth. And there is no better way to reach her sweet tooth than with Sprinkles Cupcakes. If you don't know Sprinkles, pull yourself together and get informed...pronto! With locations in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, these aren't pint-sized cakes. Cupcakes are something else entirely and Sprinkles Cupcakes are truly heaven sent. 
SpeedLA & NBC/Oxygen's 'Bad Girls Club' Gets Cheeky Again!
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