Chic Galleria » dating

Book Giveaway: The Frisky 30-Day Breakup Guide

Editor — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:06:16 +0000

The Frisky 30-Day Breakup Guide
One Month of Manicures, Massages, and Mojitos to Help You Forget About Him
by Jamie Beckman

Breakups suck. Whether she’s the dumper or the dumpee, even the most put-together modern gal can find herself falling apart after a painful split. Using expert advice from the saucy women at TheFrisky.com, this for-women-by-women guide speeds the process of getting over him. Designed around a day-by-day plan of activities, the guide inspires even the most distraught breakup survivor to keep moving and hold her head up. From hosting a girls-only cocktail party (Day 15) to cooking herself a delicious dinner (Day 18), the best remedies for heartbreak are featured in a chatty, fun package. Far from a trip down therapy lane, the approach here is like getting advice from an experienced best girlfriend. By the end of the month, the previously heartbroken and devastated woman has reconnected with friends, family, and the things she loves about her life in a fun, step-by-step way that leaves her feeling happy, confident, and ready to move on.

Chic Galleria is giving away The Frisky 30-Day Breakup Guide (ARV $14.95) to three (3) lucky people. To enter, we ask that you visit The Frisky website and take a look around. Then come back here and leave a comment on this article letting us know what you found. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments and announced here on February 28, 2011.

For extra chances to win:

1. Follow @thefrisky on Twitter.

2. Like The Frisky on Facebook.

3. Post the contest on your Facebook profile page tagging @ChicGalleria and @TheFrisky

4. Send out a tweet: I entered to win a copy of The Frisky 30-Day Breakup Guide from @TheFrisky on @ChicGalleria http://bit.ly/cYr8Gq

5. Follow @ChicGalleria on Twitter.

6. Like Chic Galleria on Facebook.

Please leave a comment for each additional entry.

Congratulations to our winners, Lori Hart, Carmen Jones & Pamela James!

Five Things To Look For In Your Date’s Face!

Editor — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 07:35:47 +0000

By Jean Haner

Thirty years ago, I married into a Chinese family. But it wasn’t until a few years after the wedding that I discovered how truly tolerant my mother-in-law really was – because I didn’t have “moneybags” in my face I wasn’t a lucky match for her son!

My mother-in-law introduced me to face reading, and at first, I thought it was a ridiculous superstition – and how abhorrent to judge someone based on their appearance! It wasn’t until I began to study with master teachers that I discovered the deeper principles of face reading, and learned that it has nothing to do with “luck” and everything to do with learning to be true to your nature.

Face reading is actually an ancient branch of Chinese medicine. It was at first used as a diagnostic tool for health. But physicians soon realized face reading also revealed someone’s inner personality, what they needed to be happy in life, what careers would suit them best, and what their purpose in the world would be. Thousands of years ago, face readers were the original therapists and personal coaches – the ones we consulted for guidance in love, career and life path.

I teach workshops to help you read the photos in those online dating sites, or to understand who’s really sitting across from you in the candle-lit restaurant! The first thing to know is that there are no bad combinations. Any relationship can be successful; it’s a matter of awareness and understanding. The more insights you gain into your date’s true nature, the more easily love can grow.

You cannot single out one feature on someone’s face and know all about who they are, of course. Instead, it’s seeing how the features together reveal the choreography of that person’s unique inner dance. But there are certainly details you can notice on someone’s face that can help you understand some important aspects of their personality.

So in this light, let me share with you some insights you may get from the face of the one you adore!

Eyebrows: Full, long eyebrows indicate someone who loves to be active both in work and play. Especially if they also have a strong jaw, they’re not going to be happy lounging on the couch with you – instead they want to go out for a run! They’re likely to be confident and assertive, but also have more potential for anger and frustration than other people. They seek challenge and won’t back down from an argument. This kind of person has a wonderfully logical mind and is excellent at solving problems or creating a plan to reach a goal. But they don’t like to dilly-dally and have no patience for people who can’t make up their minds. They love to just “do it!”

By the way, any woman who has naturally thick eyebrows but plucks them too much can diminish her level of self-confidence or her ability to be assertive. And a woman who reduces her strong eyebrows into pencil-thin ones can actually develop an anger problem!

Eyes: They say the eyes are the “window to the soul” but in Chinese face reading, they’re considered to be the window to the heart. One of the messages someone’s eyes reveal is how easily they communicate their most private, heartfelt feelings.

If your date has very deep-set eyes, or holds their eyes in a narrowed fashion, you’ll probably find that they can’t easily talk about their more difficult emotions, even with the people they’re closest to. They may also be more skeptical overall, meaning you’ll need to work to earn their trust. However, once you do, they’re your friend forever.

Someone with large eyes, especially if they are held very wide open, tend to wear their heart on their sleeves. They’ll express their feelings very easily and may not understand when others can’t be as open in communications. They may be overly-trusting or even gullible.

Neither kind of eye is right or wrong – it all comes down to what’s most comfortable for you. If you’re someone who takes some time to warm up to others and let them in, you may find a wide-eyed date a bit too much to take! If you value open communications and don’t understand why anyone would prefer to keep some things unspoken, you may feel hurt and frustrated by someone who, for instance, doesn’t like to talk about your relationship but would rather sit on the couch and watch the game together!

Mouth: A large mouth with full lips reveals someone for whom relationships are very important. They’re generous and emotionally available – sometimes too much so! Others who don’t share this priority may judge them as demanding or overly-involved in the lives of their friends or family. Someone with a very small mouth compared to the size of their other features may have less need for relationship, or alternatively can act a bit needy or clingy with friends or in romance.

Jaw: The Chinese call the jaw “the roots of the tree.” A tree with strong roots can’t easily be pushed over. This means that someone with a large, or highly-defined jaw can’t be easily influenced – they have strong values and firm beliefs. They’ll stand up for what they believe in, but may not be so open to other people’s ideas. They size you up quickly – they’ll likely make a decision about you the moment you walk in the door. A very strong jaw indicates a judgmental personality who may leap to conclusions too quickly!

Someone with a narrow jaw will be more flexible, and able to listen to all sides of an argument. However, they may be indecisive or too easily influenced by what others say.

Chin: The chin reveals the level of someone’s willpower – the more prominent the chin, the greater their tenacity and determination. Once they set their mind to something, they’ll stick with it till they reach their goal. This can also translate into a stubborn nature! And if you know someone with a chin that sticks out and then up, you may as well throw up your hands and give up now, as you’ll never be able to make them do anything they don’t want to!

If someone has a receding chin, this is an indication they might have been oppressed early in life; not allowed to exert their willpower. They may lack confidence or give up too early when the going gets tough. On the other hand, because they know what it feels like to be the underdog, they may develop incredible strength in helping the little guy!

Using the wisdom of your face, you can move from reaction and judgment to a place of love and compassion, not only in romance, but for whoever you encounter in life. Even more importantly, you can look at that reflection in the mirror and truly say, “I love you.”

Jean Haner, the author of The Wisdom of Your Face and The Wisdom of Your Child’s Face, teaches compassionate and affirming ways for people to understand their true nature and to look with love at everyone in their lives. Jean is well known for providing fun, fascinating and practical information that can be put to immediate use in your life. Learn more at www.wisdomofyourface.com.

Photo credit © Theodor38 | Dreamstime.com

Chemistry Quotient

Stephanie Churma — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:56:53 +0000

I was recently at my girlfriends place and got a text message from an old guy friend I used to work with. Said friend is funny and cute, tall and just my type. We used to go out for drinks, albeit nothing ever happened. He is in a relationship, and I was involved at the time we knew each other.

“So my buddy saw you on Facebook and liked your pictures. Can he add you?”

Uh, sure?

After the technological info was exchanged, it turned out that his pal was completely adorable. Dark features, brooding expression, three piece suit. Early 30s, secure job and financially independent. For once, I was about to be set up with someone who had a head on their shoulders. After Reunion Boy, I had made a solemn promise to everyone from my best friends to the street car driver that I would make better choices in whom I shared a bed with. Perhaps this guy could be the proof in the pudding. Oh, and he was a dead ringer for Colin Ferrell.

After a few brief texts and a couple phone calls, Three Piece Suit and I made a plan to meet for drinks at a local pub in my neighbourhood. Like a gentleman he picked me up. Like a lady, I was sweet, flirty and looked good. Like a gentleman he picked up the tab. Like a lady I only had three drinks.

Two hours later I was at home, and unsure.

If you could describe me in three words, which is a difficult challenge, they would be Expressive, Spontaneous and Funny. Of course there are many depictive adjectives to explain my multifaceted personality, but when it comes to the men I chose to spend time with, those three must be stroked and encouraged. Turns out Three Piece Suit were none of the above.

He bored me. I’m talking eyes glazed over, running through my daily reminders for the next day bored. Don’t get me wrong, I had a good time, but he didn’t trigger a dopamine release. Was he cute? Yes. Was he respectful? Absolutely. Was he the water to my oil? Yeah. I figured that would be it; chalk it up to a good learning curve, and a step closer to being with the right guy.

Not ten minutes after I got home my Blackberry vibrated. Turns out Three Piece Suit wanted another go round.

“You looked good. Really good.”

I did.

“Thanks, you too.”

He did.

Somehow the fact that the date was bland didn’t matter, and before I could pause we had made plans for Saturday. Everyone deserves a second chance right? He was cute. Perhaps he was just tired. This time I will know for sure. He said he was planning something. That’s sweet, right? He is setting up a date in advance. That is considerate and respectful, right?

I just couldn’t get past the icky feeling that Three Piece Suit and I simply didn’t have any chemistry.

Sparing any feelings or revealing details, it is safe to say that I was correct in my first view of our potential pairing. He is calculated and matter of fact; I am quirky and sensitive. I see humour in daily events, he doesn’t play the radio in the car. He was the beige to my magenta.

Chemistry is so pivotal to relationships, especially in the beginning. If you and New Dude don’t have a swirling mix of pheromones and fantasies by date three? It ain’t happening. Ever. Don’t waste each other’s time. Chemistry also cannot be forced or manufactured. You cannot bottle it, nor can you describe it. It is the je ne sa qois that makes partners seem to be stuck to each other. In a good relationship, good chemistry is like being covered in sticky honey and he is your bee. You just cannot get enough of each other. I have to give him credit – he really put in effort and I have nothing bad to say about him personally, however we just didn’t click.

The “Great on Paper” guy has happened to most of us, if not all, and it is important to remember that ultimately it is not about what he does, but who he is. For me, I need to be laughing. I need spontaneous, silly intellects who I can share inside jokes with. Personally, all my closest relationships with both men and women have quick witted personalities. I need to be kept on my toes. Unfortunately, I would have steam-rolled this guy. I can only imagine how annoyed he would be with me too. It is important to be true to your inner chick; don’t settle for someone who instead of thinking about what he looks like naked, you run a mental budget of your grocery list.

Three Piece Suit is a great guy; but for someone else.

Stephanie Churma is a freelance writer with focus on Relationships, Lifestyle and Personal Development. Throughout the writing of this column she and all the girls mentioned in this piece sent over fourteen text messages respectively. Contact stephaniechurma@hotmail.com

Small Town Dating: Sex and the City It Is Not

Kristel Gillies — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:14:11 +0000

When I first became single after a long relationship I felt empowered, liberated and confident. I was certain the world was my oyster and better things lay ahead. I looked forward to weekend getaways, late nights out on the town and daytime retail therapy with the girls, sure my remaining time would consist of being wined and dined by single, attractive men. I was certain my life would be full of cosmopolitans and Prada, investment bankers and champagne. I basically thought life would be all ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ when, in reality, it’s very much ‘Bridget Jones’. Minus the chain smoking, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, of course.

I’ve come to the conclusion that being single in a smaller center is a different experience than being single in a large metropolis such as New York. It’s hard to have regular evenings out, trolling for men, when the bulk of your friends are at home, tending to their husbands and children. Prada is somewhat hard to find, and afford, when Carrie’s monthly rent is higher than your annual salary and the only big names in retailers are Walmart and Costco. It’s hard to look like a fashionista when your only clothing options consist of a cotton-poly blend.

Things are no better, I’m afraid, when it comes to the dating scene. While a ‘Carrie’ would ask herself “what’s his annual mean salary” and “does he have a house in the Hamptons” us small town girls are left to ponder “what’s wrong with him” and “are we somehow related”. After all, there are only so many men to go around and it’s a pretty safe bet that when the dating pool is actually a puddle the really good catches have either already been caught or just may be your cousin. And, like most surfaces of water, self-reflection is unavoidable… if the theory is that all the good men are gone than what must all the remaining single men think about all the single women? Surely not everyone can be the exception to the rule.

And when a date is finally to be had the location of such an event is limited. It’s hard to be creative, let alone romantic, when dinner options consist primarily of restaurant chains and evening activities include bowling or the local bookstore. Movies are always a good choice but those quirky independent films that got rave reviews at the Sundance Film Fesitival never seem to make it to the smaller corners of the world. If there’s any silver lining in the dark cloud of small town dating it’s the fact there’s almost always a Starbucks nearby. And while it may close well before midnight at least that means I can be home in time for the only reoccurring date I seem to be able to get these days… watching the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

So while the dating scene where I live may not be what I had expected (or hoped) there are other aspects that more than make up for it: like the fact I can walk to work (if I don’t sleep in), that I can drive from one end of town to the other in less then 15 minutes (if there’s no construction) and no matter where I go I almost always run into someone I know. Too bad it almost always ends up being my ex…

Kristel is a Physicist, computer programmer and blogger, writing about everything from depression to dating… and sometimes even both! She lives in Saskatchewan, Canada and can be contacted at gilsner@gmail.com
Photo Credit © Andres Rodriguez | Dreamstime.com

Dating and fashion tips from style expert – Christie Ressel

Christie Ressel — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:01:47 +0000

I was interviewed by Will from Cheapdateideas.com on dating, style, and fashion- he was such a pleasure to meet!

Warmest wishes,

Christie Ressel, Image consultant and style coach

Personal Power Image Consulting