From Anoush and the SpeedLA Staff...

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the residents of Santa Barbara. With over 77 homes lost and 22 homes damaged, we send out our prayers and wishes for a quick recovery. A favorite city of ours, we have had client after client e-mailing to express how the fire has in someway touched nearly every resident. Some clients have family whose home was lost, while others still very shaken up by the disaster. At this moment, the fire is only 70% contained. Fear is rampant as residents worry for another wind storm.

If you would like to donate to the victims or for more information you can visit the American Red Cross - Santa Barbara. http://www.sbredcross.org/

Love,

Anoush x

Happy Mother's Day!

Have you kissed your Mother today? Alright LA daters, don't let today slip away without telling your Mother how much you love her and how you wouldn't be the person you are today without her.

A couple of lovely quotes by and about Moms.

"All mothers are working mothers." ~Author Unknown

"Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own." ~Aristotle

"A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest." ~Irish Proverb

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." ~Jewish Proverb

We at SpeedLA love our Mothers and want to share our love with you. For today only, enter "MOM" at checkout for a lovely Mother's Day discount.

Love,

Anoush x

Ask Anoush! All Things Dating Advice Column

Ask Anoush! Have a dating question? Need help navigating the dating world? Simply e-mail Anoush at anoush@speedladating.com with your question and she'll answer it right here.

• Joanna, Los Angeles
  I just got out of a bad breakup and the last thing I want is another relationship. I hope this doesn’t sound conceited but it seems every guy I meet now wants to run down the aisle. Maybe I’m giving off a vibe that doesn’t want to commit and this is about having what they can’t have. I don’t know. What do you think?

Hi Joanna, Thanks for your question! This is an interesting one. I always like a good role reversal! Now without knowing the exact details of the types of guys you are meeting, meaning their ages, if they have been married before etc…without knowing that I would say you have pretty much answered your own question. We all want what we don’t or can’t have… to a certain extent, of course. The fact that you are not out there searching for that man who is going to fit the ‘criteria’ and provide you with that large diamond ring and secure home, is exactly why you are attracting the marriage-minded men. Men, for the most part, fear the marriage-obsessed women that are hunting them down, so when they find one who isn’t, chances are he will revert to his inner instinct of the hunter and you will inevitably become his prey. Now if you could just start up some seminars for women out there, you could really help a lot of people out!

• Carla, Torrance
  My guy’s birthday is 2 weeks away. We’ve been dating each other for about 3 months. Any gift ideas? I don’t want anything that reads as too much or anything that reads too little. Help me Anoush!

Hi Carla, Thank you for your helpful question - the first gifts are always the hardest! I fully understand that you do not want to say too much or of course, too little, if in fact you like this one – which it sounds as though you do.
If you have made acquaintances with any of his friends or family yet, it never hurts to put in a phone call if you are truly stumped. I personally like the avenue of something special that you could do together. I think this takes the pressure away from something tangible that could be over-analyzed! Perhaps tickets to a sporting event, if he is a big fan of any in particular. Maybe something fun, nothing too serious. If you guys can have a great day and create more new and exciting memories, I think that will be the best gift of all! Leave the serious meaningful gifts to years down the road! Let me know what you end up doing and how it goes.

• Bradley, San Diego
  I’ve been seeing this girl I really like for 5 months. She is just amazing, except for this one thing. Last weekend I finally met her parents. Big day, very nervous. It went well, but I noticed two framed pictures of my girl and her ex-boyfriend. Not one, but two! One in the living room and one in their den like room. I don’t want to go over now and have this dude with my girl staring back at me. Do I say anything?

Hi Bradley, Thank you for your question and I can see why this is uncomfortable for you. I personally would suggest that you absolutely say something to your girlfriend. Perhaps she would find it odd if you did not. Maybe her parents were very close to this guy she dated before you but she no longer is and doesn’t like the fact that the pictures are up either. She must address this with her parents out of respect for you. If you had just been on a couple of dates I would say it is too early to say anything, but after 5 months, you are well within your rights to bring this up. Let me know how it goes!

• Trina, Toluca Lake
  I asked this guy out that I know from work. It’s not a work thing; he’s just someone I see every so often. Anyway, he’s a man’s man. I want to take him somewhere cool and not too girly for a first date. What’s a great first date place that will make a macho man feel at home?

Hi Trina, Thank you for your question. My mind immediately jumps to an environment that all men love; a great steakhouse. At the new L.A Live in downtown Los Angeles is the incomparable Fleming’s Steakhouse. With 100’s of award-winning wines by the glass and every perfectly cooked to order cut of steak imaginable, there is no way this manly man will not feel at home! On a side note to you, you must try their peach champagne cocktail, it’s to die for! They have to have something for us girls right?
If he is even more manly than your average manly man and does not wish to partake in a glass of Merlot, there is a full bar and beer abound! L.A Live is lots of fun to walk around afterwards and I think you will find he will love it.

You're going Downtown!

SpeedLA Dating heads Downtown to the casually chic, Suede Bar @ The Westin Bonavenure.

Join us Monday, May 11th for a night of mingling and mixing - UK Style! Enjoy the sexy suede seating, soft lighting and cool beats that make for a sexy, romantic ambience for downtown professionals, loft dwellers and Hollywood go-getters.

Suede spoils us with $3 Well Drinks, $3 Wine and $3 Drafts. After we spoil you with treats from the delightful Suede menu with our compliments, you can enjoy even more with $3 Appetizers all night long.

Enter 'Downtown' for a lovely discount at checkout!

Also be sure to check out our blog on the Westin Bonaventure;
http://speedladating.blogspot.com/2009/02/weekend-awaywithout-breaking-bank.html

SpeedLA Dating & Networking - Los Angeles

Suede Bar @ The Westin Bonaventure - Downtown Los Angeles

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Ask Anoush! All Things Dating Advice Column

Ask Anoush! Have a dating question? Need help navigating the dating world? Simply e-mail Anoush at anoush@speedladating.com with your question and she'll answer it right here.

• Kelly - Venice
  Hi Anoush! I didn’t have so much a question about dating as I did about your name. It’s so pretty where does it come from?

Hi Kelly,
Well thank you very much for your kind comment, I do get asked all the time! It is an Armenian name and it means ‘sweet’. My mother is Armenian and my father is English, although my father chose my name!
Thanks again.

• Sam, Marina Del Rey
  Is there a perfect first line when I meet a girl at a bar?

Hi Sam,
Thank you for this fun question! I must say I am against all ‘lines’ of any kind. No matter how good you may think your line is, the fact that you have memorized and rehearsed the line; invariably means it will not sound natural. Women do not like to feel like one of many and if you use a line on her, she may feel like you were ready to use it on any willing listener. Go with your heart and be yourself. Better to make an honest impression that might not be so hot, than a fake one that sounds too smooth.

• Claire, Studio City
  I’ve been seeing this guy off and on for the last year. Nothing too serious, just some fun here and there. I thought our situation was kind of understood, but lately he is latching on to me. He’s fun, but not boyfriend material. What do I do?

Hi Claire,

Thank you for your question. It sounds to me like you need to get out of this – quick! By continuing any form of relationship with this guy you are sending out the wrong message. Most guys think that all women want more, so he is probably confused by your contentment of this casual arrangement. I would suggest that you go out to lunch and give him the ‘let’s be friends’ talk! I think after a year, no matter how casual the relationship is you do owe it to him to do this face to face. Good luck!

• Camille, Laguna Beach
  I met a guy online who rocks! Except one thing, we haven’t met yet. We have IM’d till the wee hours of the morning night after night. We connect on every level except of course, that eye to eye thing. I keep suggesting we meet for coffee but he is always conveniently busy. What do I do? There seems to be such a online connection so why can’t there be a physical connection?

Hi Camille,
This question comes up time and time again now that we find ourselves in this new internet age of dating. I have to say, I am completely dubious of all internet-only relationships. I note that you say this guy ‘rocks’ – how do you know that? One cannot begin to know someone until you have met them. What you can feel in an instant over a look in the eyes, can take a year on the computer. You do not say if you have spoken on the phone yet, I definitely suggest this as a first step if you have not. My best advice to you is keep pushing the issue, it is not normal to continue on like this and not meet. As in all internet relationships, please do take caution when you do decide to meet. Perhaps you could double date with friends or a daytime lunch meeting initially? I may sound over-cautious, but one never knows these days. Best of luck to you and let me know how it goes!

Watch out Seattle...Here We Come!

I am super excited to tell you all, we have expanded! Our first major expansion is to the wonderfully romantic...Seattle, Washington. Over the following weeks our programmers will be implementing all the necessary code and programming in finishing the site but until then we are happy to announce... We are open during construction!

For those with family and friends in Seattle, come check out our Seattle Blog "All Things Dating in Seattle", written by our SpeedSeattle Resident Bloggers. It is so very important to me that we don't just expand to other cities, but become part of the cities we expand to. That means SpeedSeattle will have their own charming British hosts, same top venues, same fabulous perks and of course, loads of cheeky fun. In the coming months, I will be dividing my time between Los Angeles and Seattle, attending as many events as possible, so I will be more than available for any questions, comments or LA Dating tips you might have.

A very special cheers to LA for allowing me the opportunity to spread some UK fun.

Our Seattle website: http://www.speedseattledating.com/

"All Things Dating in Seattle" SpeedSeattle Blog

Best,

Anoush x

Something good for Joan and Suzanne...

Since posting this very dear-to-our heart event, 'A Night For Suzanne...' Charity Event, I have been swamped with response. No doubt in part by the support of The Joan Gaeta Cancer Foundation. Since seeing the Foundation on the Nancy Grace Show on CNN, I knew immediately I wanted to do something to give back for all that Suzanne did for me. One of the few Cancer Foundations for Lung Cancer, I loved the attention it was giving Lung Cancer. Sometimes the forgotten, misunderstood or by some, 'the deserved' cancer, lung cancer kills more people than breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, and kidney cancer ... combined. Lung Cancer is the #1 Cancer killer in the world and you don't have to smoke to get it.

I'm super excited about our event for and hope to make the Event a Bi-Annual Event in LA, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Seattle and every city we expand to.

"A Night For Suzane..." Charity Event @ One Sunset - June 23rd 2009

Cheers to the Joan Gaeta Cancer Foundation!

http://jglcf.org/speedladating.aspx

Love,

Anoush x

Lovely - Jubley Under the Stars...

Warm night? Check. Stars twinkling in the sky? Check. Scantily clad warm weather girl? All right, steady on. How about a casually chic hot spot in the valley with a patio out front that is sure to add romance to any date. I offer you, Cafe Bizou in Sherman Oaks. With an array of candles, perfectly set lights and the warm air abounding, it is the perfect date spot for that perfect date.

A California - French menu and full-bar allow for a cozy drink before dinner before heading outside and trying their specials. If you're extra lucky, you might be offered their out of this world Lobster Tail layered over Fettuccine. Divine and as with everything at Cafe Bizou, reasonably priced. Stretch the dollar a bit farther at this fine dining spot with casual dining prices. Other treats to impress the date with recommending are the Lobster Ravioli, the Chicken Breast done to perfection set over mash potatoes and the Steak Au Poivre - Ask for medium-rare like any good aristocrat.

Should you wish to name drop, ask for Ryan, their astute manager or Neal, their personable Chef-Owner who started it all.

Cafe Bizou - Sherman Oaks & Pasadena

Written by: SpeedLA Dating