Just Singles #3Dates3Mths - Challenge Three (the Final Challenge!)

Here we go, the third and final JustSingles 3 Dates 3 Months challenge! This post was meant to be up ages ago but life has got in the way a bit recently so please please forgive the lateness. If you haven't read about my previous challenges, you can find challenge two here and challenge one here, along with a bit more info about JustSingles.
For the third and final challenge I signed up to the JustSingles website, dipping my toe into internet dating for the first time,  and hoping that asking someone on a date online would prove much easier than in person (but at least I'd have a computer to hide behind if it all went wrong!). 

When I first signed up on JustSingles I wasn't sure what to expect, the only experience I'd had with something similar was an app on my phone which turned out to be less for dating and more for sleazy men to try and chat up girls from the other side of the country. Thankfully, it isn't anything like that- for a start the profile descriptions and photos are monitored and have to be approved before they're shown (thankfully! I'm still having nightmares about crotch shots from the men on that phone app!).
As well as their main site, JustSingles offer a range of lifestyle and location based sites, things like Sporty Singles, Ginger Singles and Doctors Singles. I went for their main site as I didn't really fit into any of the other categories, and I thought there might be a bit more choice! After writing a reasonably run of the mill 'About Me' (we'll forgot about my worry over whether the phrase 'bed-loving' made me sound sleepy or slutty), I chose some nice (but not toooo nice) photos, then had a search for people who lived close by and some fun with the 'wink' button. 

Sending out the first message to someone actually was actually scarier than I thought it'd be- in person you can always start with a simple one syllable "hi", but on the internet you feel pressured to come up with the most amazing couple of sentences of your life, that make you sound keen without being stalkerish. Of course there were a few people who didn't reply to my keen-but-not-stalkerish first messages, but I've always thought that being ignored is the nicest way of being rejected- you're left to imagine that they've just forgotten their password, or their internets been cut off, or they were viscously attacked by a savage dog and tragically lost their typing hand. 

Along with their many sites for different interests, Just Singles also offer a good search service so you can narrow down your results not just to age and location, but to things like hair length, height and interests.
Despite at first kicking myself for not having a car when I found that a lot of sexy looking men lived just outside my bus range, I found a lot of nice men who lived quite near. There was one guy in particular with that I bonded with over my dairy induced headaches and his lactose intolerance, which sounds like a really dull conversation but it actually felt really nice to make a connection with someone new over something small.

It was within the first couple of weeks after joining that I plucked up the courage to send a scary first message to someone who's profile I'd been eyeing up for the previous few days. His name was Darren, he was 6 ft, had blue eyes and liked football. I know we're in the middle of the World Cup at the moment, but I won't lie, I hate football. I don't think having different interests is a massive problem though, I like taxidermy but I don't bang on about stuffed birds all day.

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I actually got a reply back from the football loving beefcake! We exchanged messages for a little while, talking about our tastes in music, TV programmes, and super exciting things like what we had for lunch. One of the good things about messaging someone online is that you can take a little while to plan your replies. Not 'plan' in a manipulative way, but in a way that makes you able to keep a vaguely interesting conversation going with someone sexy without having to be off your tits on tequila. It wasn't long before we exchanged numbers and my phone was buzzing every few minutes with nice messages.

Once you've been chatting with someone for a while, asking them out becomes quite easy, and it's much less scary to ask someone out through a messaging service than trying to pounce on them in real life. At the tap of a thumb the message was gone and I'm not embarrassed to say I was checking my messages constantly after that. I read the reply with one eye closed, just in case, but thankfully he said yes!

I've always been slightly sceptical of internet dating, I'm not sure why as everyone with a profile is usually looking for the same thing, but it was much simpler and actually more fun than I thought. To be honest I always thought this challenge would be the successful one as there's bound to more choice and opportunity online, but I really never thought it would be this successful.
I only asked one person out on JustSingles, and I haven't been back on the site for weeks, so I don't think I need to spell it out that the first date went pretty well! After the previous two challenges where I didn't even manage to secure a time or place for a date, I think I've done rather well at the third challenge, and I'm interested to find out where that one scariest of first messages will take me from here!

This is a sponsored post in association with JustSingles

5 Instagrammers You NEED To Follow

Elle_Wills
This Brisbane based realism artist creates gorgeous drawings that are girly with an edge. She draws everything from rappers and tattoed beardy men to donuts and scenes from Breaking Bad, but settles on lovely ladies that wouldn't look out of place in the pages of a magazine, or even on your wall.
And if you fall in love with one of Elle's creations, her prints are very reasonably priced! 

Dreamy_Touch

Malaysian based Maimona posts lovely flatlays including stationary and food that will make you swoon at their cuteness as well as their composition!

Angelicablicks

If you're dreaming of bright colours and summer sun, Stockholm based blogger Angelica is your girl. She posts beautiful fashion and lifestyle photos from her travels. 

Galialahav
If you're planning a wedding (or just love beautiful dresses) Galia Lahav is definitely worth a follow. Known for lace and low backs, both her wedding and evening wear are the stuff a girl's dreams are made of. And even if you're not getting married, a girl can still dream right?

Chrisspy
For beauty inspiration look no further than Chrisspy, a makeup artist with a penchant for bold looks and winged eyeliner. Her makeup looks range from edgy to girly and she gives great tips and product recommendations.

3 Tips To Get Your Feet Ready For Summer

If you're worried about getting your feet out after a winter of hiding them away you shouldn't be- sandal ready feet are just 3 steps away, and it won't take long to get them looking smooth and pretty before you step out into the sun. Read the tips below and get your feet ready for summer in no time!

1.Exfoliate

Removing tough or dry skin is the starting point for beautiful summer feet, it helps keep them smooth and preps them for lotions and oils that will keep them in tip top condition. A pumice stone or sturdy bristled brush are great to smooth and remove hard skin on the heels and callouses or tough areas near the toes. 

For the whole foot try making your own salt scrub to slough off dull dead cells and reveal soft smooth skin- mix one cup salt with 1/2 cup olive oil, add the juice of one lemon and a few drops of your favourite essential oil (peppermint or lavender are lovely scents for the feet), combine thoroughly and spoon into a lidded jar to keep the scrub fresh. Apply a handful or two and massage into your feet concentrating on rougher areas and voilà, super smooth skin!

2. Moisturise
After exfoliation, add some moisture into your skin with a thick lotion or oil, coconut or argan oils are great as they're natural and will give your feet a healthy radiance. 

For an intensive moisturisation apply a thick layer before bed and sleep in cotton socks, you'll wake up to transformed feet!

3. Manicure

A summer foot isn't complete without a manicure, especially if you've been hiding your toes all winter! Prep the nails by pushing back the cuticles, using a buffing block to smooth any ridges or thickened areas and shape with a file or scissors, making sure to prevent ingrown toenails by avoiding the sides.

Apply a base coat and your favourite shade of polish, brights are lovely for spring and summer but pastels are on trend for this year. If you're impatient, use a quick drying polish which will avoid you having to sit around with wet nails waiting for them to dry. 
Finally, a clear gloss top coat and a little cuticle oil will complete the look, ensuring your feet are sandal perfect and summer ready!

Recent Favourites!

My last blog post feels like forever ago so in the absence of monthly favourites I thought I'd do a round up of the many beauty things that I've been loving recently (sorry if the photos are looking a little bit dodgy, my camera sensor has decided to go on strike so I've had to use my phone!).

Soigné Nail Polish in Chou-Fleur Violet* (£11)
I received this polish in this months Harper's Bazaar Birchbox and I was so thrilled to see it because I absoltely love this colour. My whole polish collection is a ménage of bright pinks and purples so this one fits right in, and have you seen the packaging? It's very Chanel-esque and I don't think I've ever had a nail polish that's been packaged in anything more than just a bottle. Wear time is about average for this polish but its rare for me to find anything that lasts a long time on my flaky bendy nails. 

This month's Birchbox is one that I'd really recommend- there's a mini size Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish with muslin cloth (so perfect for travel/overnight stays if you already have a full size), a Philip Kingsley mini, and a certain well known product from Benefit among others, so I'd definitely pick up a subscription even if it's just for this month!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Normal/Dry skin in Buff (£12.49)
It took me forever to try this foundation, but since buying it I really haven't been wearing anything else. I much prefer the version for dry skin even though mine is super oily, and the staying power and coverage from one layer is unrivalled in any other foundation I've tried. 

I use shade Buff which oxidises a bit from the colour in the bottle and matches well when I'm lightly tanned, but I need to hit the bronzer when I've got a darker tan as the next shade up is a bit too pink for my skin. I like to apply Colorstay with a flat or angled top kabuki brush and then pat in where needed with a complexion sponge. 

The only thing that really gets my goat about this foundation is that Revlon really need to put a pump on the bottle- the dry skin version is very liquidy and it's so easy to pour out too much, while the oily skin version is so thick that you really have to bang it on something to get anything out!
Mac Pro Longwear Concealer NC20 (£15.50)
I'm not too keen on this concealer under my eyes as it makes me look a bit wrinkly before my time, but I really love it on the face for redness and blemishes. It lasts really well on the skin, doesn't look cakey, and I don't know if I can ever see myself actually finishing the bottle as you only need a tiny dot for each blemish. I also really like using a couple of pumps of this concealer mixed in with BB cream for a more natural looking base that still has good coverage.

Beauty UK Baked Blush in Halo (£3.99)
I first read about this blush in a post by Gemma at Miss Makeup Magpie (go follow, that blog is the shizz) and knew instantly that I had to have it! Not actually a blush, but a highlighter- It's a lovely champagne-with-a-touch-of-pink shade that sits really well on my skin tone and gives much more of a sheen than a glittery sparkle. 

The cardboard box packaging is very lightweight and does well to contain any fallout as swirling a brush across the marbled powder can kick up a bit of shimmery dust. I think this is actually the only highlighter I've used all month and it's taken pride of place among my affordable favourites!

W7 City Slicker Eye Makeup Remover* 140ml (£4.95)
If there's one thing that made me really want to crack open this bottle it's the colour of the liquid, I really love the bright blue shade! The colour isn't the main reason I love this bi-phase makeup remover though, it's more the fact that I can use just one cotton pad to remove not only several coats of waterproof mascara but also the makeup from my entire face. 

The City Slicker uses oils to break down and remove eye makeup pretty effortlessly, but even on the rest of my face it doesn't break me out, and after a cleanse over the sink my skin feels really smooth and soft. I'm so done with face wipes that are either not wet enough or too rough, and I'll definitely be purchasing another bottle when this one runs out.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish 100ml (£13.25)
I thought this hot cloth cleanser was all blogger hype, but my skin actually seems to really love it. I first tried the Cleanse and Polish as par of a Twitter gifting promotion but have since bought a full size tube and was also thrilled to see a mini in my Birchbox. 

Since starting use, my face has been smoother, less dry and I've generally had less breakouts (ignoring the one that erupted a couple of days ago). Rubbing cleanser onto dry skin took a bit of getting used to, but I really regret that I didn't try this sooner as it's now a firm staple in my skincare routine.

W7 Super Pout in Mady (£2.99)
Are you on the hunt for a gloss with a really weird shaped applicator? Well look no further, I've found it for you! I can't wholeheartedly say that a bent spoon shaped wand applicator makes application all that much quicker or easier, but I can say that this gloss has great pigmentation, genuinely makes my lips look bigger, and is really moisturising but non sticky. This milky brown-pink is a nice subtle nude for me, and I also have the shade Molly, a brighter pale pink, which I love in almost equal amounts. The tube says 'one swoop volume lips' and even though it might need more than one swoop, I can't disagree about the volume. 

Manhattan Intense Cheek and Lip Balm in First Class (Limited edition, sorry!)

Manhattan are a German highstreet brand and if you haven't checked them out you really should. Their Intense Effect Eyeshadow in Dusky Pink (which I annoyingly missed out of this post) makes a gorgeous cheek and eye highlighter, and they also have some lovely lip products. 

First Class is a medium to deep purple with pinky tones, and I'm thrilled to find a purple that I can really wear with confidence. This colour is striking but really wearable (although, in all honesty I haven't tried it on the cheeks, and probably wont). If it wasn't for the creaminess I would have thought that this was a lipstick rather than balm as it's so pigmented, but unfortunately doesn't last all that long on the lips so needs two layers with some blotting inbetween when applying. 

I didn't realise this product was limited edition when I included it in my favourites, but watch this video from Manhattan showcasing their Lollipop and Alpenrock collection, it will definitely cheer you up about not being able to get your hands on the balm!

Manhattan Long Lasting Gloss Glide in 56G (£3.99)

Generally I'm not a fan of sticky glosses, but when they promise me good pigmentation plus staying power I think I could learn to get along with them. If you're not a fan of banana scents you might not like this product, but for me it has the two things I really want in a lipgloss, plus its a lovely nudey pink colour!

HD Brows Eye & Brow Palette in Foxy (£25)

These powders are really pigmented and it was a bit of a learning curve when I ditched my previous palette in favour of HD Brows, but they make filling and defining the brows really quick and easy. I use the darkest brown on my brows and the black to line my eyes, and each is lovely and smooth with barely any fall out from the black. The other shades make lovely matte eye colours that blend easily and aren't chalky.HD Brows have recently redesigned their palettes but I don't think I'll be trying the new Foxy out soon as I've barely made a dent in the current pans and I can see them lasting well into next year.

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara in Dark Brown (£4.99)

This doesn't have the most cementing hold of all the brow gels I've tried, but my brows are pretty unruly and this does an acceptable job of keeping them in place. What I really like is the tint, which isn't too much but really starts off the brow filling process so I feel like I need to spend less time going over with eyeshadow/powder. The colour is a tiny bit lighter than my brows but its very ashy so matches them well. 

I can't think of any other tinted brow gels from an affordable highstreet brand, so I think this really fills a gap in the market quite nicely.

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Dark 100ml (£6.99)
If you read my review of the original 1 Hour Tan on LBQ from last year, you'll know that I love the formula and even though I've tried other tans I keep coming back to Cocoa Brown. The problem that I had with the original was that I'd need two coats to get my perfect colour, not a big problem but a bit of an inconvenience. In comes the Dark shade, in an easier to use bottle but with the same brilliant quick drying, moisturising and easily blendable formula. This one is darker than two coats of the original but needs only one hour on the skin, genius! My only gripe is that 100ml doesn't last me very long, so the bottles could really do with being a bit bigger!

Saleya Organic Argan Oil* (£14-£24)

I've been loving this oil over the last few months and my skin and hair have too- I use it for dry legs after shaving, to soften knees and elbows and prevent fake tan grabbing, and 2 drops on damp hair has really done wonders for my ends. I've said before that I can get quite straw-like ends after growing my hair out, but even though it's now down past boob length my ends are looking pretty smooth, they've got a bit of a shine and they're not too straw-like if I do say so myself. Plus, this bottle has lasted me months and months and I'm not even a third of the way through!

Surgical Spirit 500ml (~£3.50)

Honourable mention goes to this massive bottle of surgical spirit for saving my purse and also killing evil stray bacteriums at the same time. I was previously using No7 Brush Cleanser which I was pretty pleased with, but I went through it at an alarming rate (Revlon Colorstay is a bitch on my bristles) and I felt like it was leaving my brushes a little oily. I'd read a lot of recommendations for surgical spirit and I'm so glad I gave it a try. 

I picked this huge 500ml glass bottle up from my local pharmacy and it contains 95% alcohol. I feel like it moisturises my brushes just enough while the alcohol kills any bacteria and removes makeup with a gentle rub on a paper towel. Best bit? This Surgical spirit is £3.56 for 500ml compared to No7 Brush Cleanser which is £8 for 185ml. 

I honestly like the surgical spirit better for cleaning my brushes, it has a bit of an odd smell but it doesn't leave such a greasy residue, it cleans my brushes quicker, and also only has 4 ingredients. It's also used to disinfect hard surfaces so is good for acrylic drawers, makeup packaging and anything else that might be holding spot causing bacteria. It may not be the most exciting buy, but its definitely one of my best from the last few months!

Have you tried any of these products? What have you been loving over the last few months?

Adders & Asps

In ancient mythology the serpent represents transformation and force of life, and we still use the snake as a symbol of healing in the Rod of Asclepius emblem which denotes medicine and healthcare. Whether you have Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) or a love for the scaly creatures, you can't deny they're one of the most curious looking creatures in our world.

I've always thought of the snake as a symbol of strength and protection- to wear jewellery depicting a snake gives me hope that I'll have the poise and purpose that snakes possess even in the face of danger or uncertainty. 

But underneath mythology and symbolism there lies a beautiful reptile, and sometimes we don't need metaphors to uncover the beauty in natural forms. From a wrist cuff to a finger wrapping ring, a snake makes a captivating statement, and is the perfect outfit embellishment to shine in the summer sun.

Shown above: Persis wrist cuff (£7.50), Cobra ring (£6.50), Serpentine drop earrings (£5), Xanthe two finger ring (£8.50)

Pantone Radiant Orchid Inspiration

Pantone's Colour of the Year 2014 has received an explosion of interest compared to previous years, with the evocative purple popping up in fashion, beauty and even food. Beautiful Radiant Orchid themed wedding photos have surged onto Pinterest and beyond, cementing the nuptial-worthy shade as one of the most captivating trends of the year so far.

But what is it about Radiant Orchid that makes the colour so compelling? Is it that it 'emanates great joy, love and health' as Pantone claims, or maybe that it offers an edgier alternative to a traditional feminine bright pink? Whatever your reasons for loving the shade of the moment, the exotic purple is easy to work into your wardrobe and home. 

Radiant Orchid pairs well with blue, so try incorporating the shade into your shoe collection to wear with denim jeans, or invest in a bright purple bag for a pop of colour against pastel summer dresses. While not many of us have the bright blonde hair required for a full purple dye, hair chalks make it easy to achieve a relatively radiant dip dye or streak effect.

Radiant Orchid enlivens the skin and suits many tones with its warm and cool undertones, so is a beautiful shade for lips, eyes and subtle blush, or try working the colour into your manicure for a less scary way to keep on trend.
Finally, incorporate Radiant Orchid into your home by using accessories such as throws, cushions and curtains to liven up a neutral palette, or pair with red, blue or green to enliven your space. And if you're feeling really creative why not bake in colour and try this Purple Ombre Mini Cakes recipe from Glorious Treats?

Manhattan Intense Lip and Cheek Balm First Class / Urban Decay Eyeshadow Flash / Poppy Flowers Pillow Cover / Mini Silk Phalaenopsis with Fluted Vase / Evie Satin Weave Clutch Bag / Converse All Star Purple Cactus Flower / Pantone Universe Radiant Orchid iPhone 5/5s Case

Rita, Fearne, Cara & Kelly Spotted in Cora Ear Cuff

You're nobody at the moment if you're not rocking an ear cuff and there's no better way to get a piece of the action than to take inspiration from some of the greats- Rita Ora, Fearne Cotton, Cara Delevingne and Kelly Osbourne have all been spotted sporting the Cara ear cuff and looking gorgeous while doing it.
With stunning clear crystals and pearls this edgy accessory demands attention and is bang on trend. Wear with hair up to create the full effect!

Shown above: Cora ear cuff (£12)

Shop the Jewellery Trend: Chunky Chains

From the catwalks to the highstreet, chunky chains have been trending for at least the last 5 years- it was only yesterday that I came across an article detailing how they'd be the 'next big thing' for A/W 09- and with S/S 14 already upon us the fashion is in no danger of dying down. Big metal links are currently in demand not only on the highstreet but in boutique fine jewellers, and I witnessed the sale of a solid gold chunky curb chain last week for an eye watering £4000. Not all of us (in fact probably not many of us) have the chance to drop that amount of cash on one item, and the pieces above have price tags that are a little bit more thrifty!There are so many ways to wear this trend- from necklaces and bracelets to even earrings in gold, silver, rose gold and gunmetal colours. Theres also the option to choose between smooth or textured links, and there's so many types of chain from curb to belcher to box to herringbone. New Look is particularly stocked up with metal chains at the moment, and a lot of styles are available in both silver and gold which means picking your favourite (or 3!) shouldn't be too difficult. 

If you're not sure how to style your new purchases, take a look at this Pinterest board for ideas on how to work them into your outfits. Knowing England I can guarantee that we'll be seeing bikinis and bling on the beaches as soon as the sun comes out!

1. Gold Textured Link Chain Bracelet £5.99 - New Look

2. Jules Smith Knight's Armor Chain Bib Necklace £32.33 - Neiman Marcus

3. Nakamol Draped Golden Multi-Rope Earrings £15.85 - Neiman Marcus

4. Open Filigree Hoop Earrings £44.95 - Love Jewellery

5. Bad Girl Cuff $13 - Princess P Jewelry

6. Premium Chain Stone Bracelet £15 - Topshop

7. Limited Mesh Chunky Chain Necklace £14.99 - New Look

8. Gold Layered Slinky Chain Necklace £7.99 - New Look

9. "Brooke-Lynn" Rose Gold Pave Chain Bracelet $78 - Princess P Jewelry

10. Miquella Atomic Necklace £199 - Cadenzza

11. Premium Multi Row Flower Necklace £22.50 - Topshop

12. Gold Square Chunky Chain Necklace £9.99 - New Look

13. Multi Crystals Decor Chain Earrings £5 - Rings and Tings

What do you think of the chunky chain jewellery trend, will you be rocking some metal this spring?

Just Singles #3Dates3Mths - Challenge Two

Here it is- the long awaited second instalment of my 3 Dates 3 Months challenge with JustSingles! If you haven't read my first challenge post yet then view it here along with more info about JustSingles. I'm sorry for the lateness of this post, it was meant to go up last month, but my posting schedule went out the window a bit when I received some bad news about a friend and it's all been a bit up in the air since then. However the post is here (finally) to answer all your burning questions about my second challenge- how did it go? Did she get the guy? Or was she just a failure at life in a Missguided jumpsuit? All will be revealed...

For my second challenge I went to a fancy dress I Love The 80s party (both 80s and valentines themed). I scoured the internet for costume ideas and settled on a very low black jumpsuit and genuine 80s red asymmetrical belt combo (complete with frizzy hair, blue eyeshadow, hooker-esque pink contouring and blinding shimmery highlighter). A fancy dress party you say? Thats not a challenge is it, there's plenty of men at parties! Well yes to be fair it's not that hard to find a man at a party, but the difficult part is finding a man who A) you will actually want to see again once the tequila wears off, and B) doesn't look suspiciously like he'll try and hump your leg when you turn around to order a drink.

As soon as I walked in to the pub I found a man, well technically he found me, but I wished he hadn't. He was old enough to be my dad, maybe older (we're talking grandad material) and he asked lots of questions about costumes and the party. He was spinning some yarn about meeting Adam Ant once at a party in London in the 90s, and I was smiling and nodding politely while trying to ignore the fact that his friend had fallen asleep on the bar. Eventually I grabbed someone to act as a human barrier and I swiftly exited to the other side of the room as soon as my tequila and apple was served.

Trying not to choke on the tiny shards of ice in my drink (why do barmen do that??) I made my way through the crowd, making sure the safety pin was still keeping my dignity safely in check under the waist low V neck of the Missguided jumpsuit. I met up with some people I new, laughed at those dressed as white wedding brides and Madonna, and wondered if some of the people had bothered wearing a costume or if they actually do their hair and makeup like that normally.

The hour or so that followed was filled with tequila shots (salt, no lemon), John Terry shots (not as suspicious-looking as expected but ingredients unknown), and two shots of brandy because I was sure I really really liked it. Turned out I was wrong, I do not like brandy.

Toilet trips probably aren't what you'd expect in a tale about finding a date at a party, but when you've safety pinned up the only exit to your jumpsuit and you're wearing a tricky-when-drunk hold-me-in-a-bit belt, they turn into amazing feats of contortion and shivers, leaving you sat in a cold pub bathroom in literally just your underwear. I wandered back through the crowd smiling in everyone's faces and wondering who the hell had chosen the music, and it was then that I noticed a guy I was sure I knew but just couldn't place.

When I went over he introduced himself as Stuart, and I asked him how he knew the birthday girl (it was also a birthday party, did I mention that?). As it turned out he lived with her. I told him I'd never seen him at her house but I was sure I'd seen him before. He said 'Ah..so that's why you were staring at me??'. I turned a vivid shade of tomato.

It was getting close to closing time- the oldies were wailing 'get me in a taxi!' and everyone else was moaning that it was still early for a Friday night, so we all decided to nip off to the birthday girl's house (also Stuart's house remember?) to carry on where we left off (minus Billy Jean and various other material girls that just wanted to have fun). Stuart poured me a wine glass of whiskey and orange squash (I'm very classy you know) and we carried on chatting about god knows what while perched on kitchen stools, me wondering when to pop the crucial question and secure a second meeting. There came to a lull in the conversation and I knew it was now or never, so I started off with a casual 'So...' in preparation to pounce. Just as I was taking a breath to start my next sentence, out Stuart came with 'well..I've got to be up early so I'm off to bed, night!' and he jumped up and strolled out of the kitchen.

Night? I thought. Night?? He said off to bed, not off to bed with me, not off to bed next to me, not even off to bed near me. Well, as you can imagine, my jumpsuit and I were very offended. Maybe I hadn't played with my hair enough? Maybe I should've made him walk behind me instead of in front  up the stairs and through the hall? Or maybe I'd just missed my chance.

In a flash he'd disappeared off to one of the six bedrooms and, as it was nearing 4am and people had been slowly trickling home, there wasn't much point in scouring the hangers-on for someone else to sink my claws into. As I phoned for a taxi I made a mental note to get Stuart's number off my friend, or at least look for him on Facebook- how many Stuarts can there be?
As it turns out, trying to ask people out is much harder than waiting for them to ask you. But it's even harder if you don't actually get to ask anything.

Despite the failure of challenges one and two (and thankfully before I've had chance to doubt myself), the third is already looking very promising! I won't give the game away but I've already weeded out the Josh-like weirdos and Stuart-like flakers and, although there won't be a clipboard or jumpsuit in sight, I'm already ready to pounce! Wish me luck.... (god knows I'll need it)!

This is a sponsored post in association with JustSingles