We're going out of business!

Hey there, friends! It's been a crazy while in our lives recently and we have made the decision to close up shop! Lucky for you, this means 50% off all date boxes! We will be sure to let you know our future endeavors as they come to fruition- Etsy, a new blog, and a great new job with Juice in the City! If you haven't heard of Juice in the City, check it out- it's like Groupon for families- great deals for great places! Or if you're a mom or dad who wants to work from home, it's a great opportunity! Email me (jitclindsaychristianson@gmail.com) if you are interested in hearing more! As for dating accoutrements, they will very likely be available in a different format through a new blog in the not too distant future. Lots of things brewing... we hope you'll be a part of them! Until then, happy dating!!!

Snuggle Up For a Romantic Night!

At this point in the summer, I always find myself a little burnt out from the craziness of running around from this pool to that barbecue to the other get together. Summer is full of fun and sun and all sorts of goodness, but sometimes a girl (or a guy) just needs a night in for some snuggling. Here are some of our top faves for romantic movies you should check out. (If you haven't already!)

1. A Knight's Tale
2. 500 Days of Summer
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Amelie
5. Love Actually
6. Edward Scissorhands
7. Princess Bride
8. Serendipity
9. Hitch
10.Roxanne

What's your favorite romantic date movie?

Hot Ways to Stay Cool!

As the temperature rises I think we all want to find great ways to keep cool. Here are some of our fave ways to drop it a few degrees:

Make homemade popsicles together. Don't have a popsicle maker? Grab some dixie cups, throw in a popsicle stick, and freeze. Once it freezes, peel the paper off and viola!

Grab a super cheap kiddie pool from your local retailer. ( I think they are $10 at Walmart.) Throw on your suit and grab some rubber duckies to keep the two of you company.

Head over to the dollar store with your honey and find the biggest/best squirt gun. Once you fill 'er up, it's all good. Enjoy a fun afternoon of hiding from each other and working on your aim.

A Vacation Away Can Bring You Together!

It's summer and most people take trips/vacations this time of year. What if your cutie can't come or (awkward) isn't invited? My husband wasn't invited on my last all-girls trip to New York City, but I wanted him to feel like he was there.

So...I texted him photos pretty much every hour on the hour...'look babe! It's me eating pizza, me negotiating a fake Prada (it's harder than it looks), me eating a ridiculously sized dessert at Serendipity...and it worked! At the end of the day when I called him to talk, he felt like he was there and it made a huge difference!

Another fun idea is to send out postcards (if you're gone for longer than a week) and let your Snookems know you were thinking about them.

Pick a fun souvenir of your trip but take your time. Try to find something that has meaning and lasting value, not a snow globe your kids will break 10 seconds after they open it. (No that really did happen!)

Just the thought of you missing them gives guys that 'I'm kind of a big deal' feeling, and let's be honest...they kind of are!

Romantic Tip of the Week...Snapshots

Grab an old snapshot of you and your sweetie and put it on their pillow or on their steering wheel with a note attached.

On the note simply tell them how fun it was during that particular day or event. Let them know you remember it and you treasure that time spent together. The more details you can remember the better!

End with something like 'it's still as fun as when we first met' or 'just as in love with you as I was that night!'

Sweet Treats for Your Sweetie on Father's Day

Make some delicious cupcakes. See our tidbits section for some scrumptious ideas...peanut butter cupcakes or yellow cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese frosting...mmm! Then add your own personal touch with cupcake toppers.

Write personalized messages for your dude on little pieces of paper and tape them to toothpicks and viola! Super cute and personalized messages to your guy! It can be things you like about them or just fun thoughts! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

-you rock my world

-i love your smile

-a.t. + b.c.

-2cute 2b 4gotten

-i luv you!

-you complete me

-love those eyes

-thanks for years of laughter

-my bff

think conversation hearts but better! Hopefully he doesn't scarf down the cupcakes before he reads your sweet messages!

Great Father's Day Ideas for Your Man

The big day for the dude of the household is coming up. So at Hot Lunch we racked our brains to find some perfect things to make him smile (or maybe even more than that!).

Outdoors Guy/Foodie - a watermelon knife (they sell them at William Sonoma and they are to die for), a watermelon, watermelon plates and napkins, a lantern and a new sleeping bag, subscription to Field and Stream Magazine.

Electronics Geek - itunes gift card, ipad or shuffle (depending on your budget), Wired Magazine subscription, Operation the game (if he's an electronic guy he will love this!).

Sports guy/Health Nut - Huge bucket of sunflower seeds, big league chew, tickets to his fave baseball game, cracker jacks, gym pass, running socks (these really do make a difference), subscription to Men's Health Magazine.

**You can pick and choose to really customize the gift to fit your guy! He will love it and hopefully you can score a back rub out of it!

Romantic Tip of The Week...Unlikely Notes

Tie little messages to the most mundane objects and just see what happens. A love note attached to a bottle of shaving cream or taped to the steering wheel or rear view mirror will make your sweetie smile all the way to work.

You can write something as simple as i love you, or have a fantastic day, or you can let them know all the things about them you think are great! Either way take 2 seconds to let your snookums know they mean the world to you!

Always Remember...

'Love doesn't just sit there like a stone; it has to be made- like bread, remade all the time, made new.' -Ursula K. LeGuin

How many times do we fall prey to laziness in our relationships? I might just be speaking for myself, but it is all too easy to put the babes to bed and collapse on the couch in exhaustion. Whether I then sit lifelessly watching tv (So You Think You Can Dance! Yay!) or fall asleep within moments, I have sufficiently missed out on any possibility of having quality time with the hubster.

Sound familiar to any of you? It's easy. It's TOO easy in fact, and it's also dangerous to relationships. Whether you have the money and flexibility to go out all the time with your significant other or not, it is crucially important to make time for your relationship to grow. And even more than that, it takes work- effort, thought, and action-to truly retain that connection you felt in the beginning.

However, there will never be anything as worth your time and effort as feeding a relationship. Create new experiences together, new memories, and learn new things about each other. As soon as you think you know everything there is to know about that other person, something's bound to change- a challenge, a dream. Take the time to listen, help problem solve when appropriate, laugh, and dream together. You never know where your lives will lead you, but if you keep your relationship strong you will always find a smile on your face.

Delicious Homemade Ice Cream Cakes

Looking for a fun, delicious, and super easy treat to serve on your next date? This is definitely what you're looking for... yummm.

Ingredients:
4 ice cream sandwiches
4 ounces whipped topping
3 ounces fudge topping, room temperature
1 7 oz. bar chocolate candy bar, grated

Directions:
Unwrap and place an ice cream sandwich on each of two dessert plates. Spread evenly with 1/4 of fudge sauce on each, then 1/4 of whipped topping on each. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches and toppings. Sprinkle with grated chocolate bar.

Cover and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.

Want to change it up? layer in grated Butterfinger, chunks of peanut butter cups, strawberry or raspberry sauce, or caramel sauce.

Dig in! You won't regret it!