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Nearly 70% of Aussies live within an hour of the coastline, making the outdoors an integral part of the summer experience. There is nothing more romantic for a date than taking advantage of the beautiful weather in summer by dining outdoors. Impress your latest beau by making the experience perfect, right down to the table setting.
Update Your Outdoor Furniture
Setting up the perfect date will require the right type of environment. Your outdoor living space reflects on you, so pick items that showcase your individuality. Creativeoutdoorsolutions.com.au suggest creating specifically outlined zones, where entertainment spaces are separated from dining areas in a seamless fashion, where all parts make up the whole but function well individually. Depending on your personal taste, a sofa, futon, or hammock might be important features to highlight. Sofas and futons carry with them a more intimate connotation and you might want to consider a set up that utilizes this furniture. If you are looking to expand your outdoor space, you can find an excellent variety of items at Wayfair, in many colours, materials, and styles. While you are updating, consider your table setting for your meal and wow your date by choosing dishware that complements your furniture to a tee!
Photo by Wickerfurniture via Flickr
Comfort = Relaxation
No doubt, jitters factor in to your date experience, but allay such fears by creating an environment designed to relax both you and your dining mate. Sharing a meal is an intimate affair and if you are spending time together alone for the first time, you want to create a meal for the occasion that accounts for any sort of silences that may occur naturally. Also, as you will both be worried about your appearance while you eat, as well as bad breath, keep these concerns in mind when designing your menu. Instead of offering a heavy 3 course meal, fire up the barbie and present a variety of appetizers and tender, succulent bits of meat, that are just asking you to bog in. James Reeson, from Alive and Cooking, has a terrific recipe for bbq chicken balls, which offer just the right amount of spice and create a no mess eating situation. With lots of possibilities to pair bits of this and that, even if there is a moment of silence, you can easily busy yourself with a fresh batch of kabobs and naturally shift your conversation to fresh terrain.
Photo by woodleywonderworks via Flickr
Fight Mozzies and other Insects
There is nothing more unromantic than the despicable sounds of mozzies buzzing about, irritatingly close to your ears. Prevent these pesky pests by investing in trustworthy repellants, that do not repel you. Mosquito coils, or specialized outdoor rugs and lighting all work well to take care of bugs while being quite discrete in the process.
Photo of a Mosquito coil by typexnick via Flickr
End on a Sweet Note
End your soiree for two with a light, refreshing dessert, that can be picked at throughout the rest of your evening. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, featured on lifestylefood.com.au has the best recipe for success in this regard: ginger passion fruit trifle. Utilizing ginger wine and double cream, this soft, spongey delight will surely excite your senses without uncomfortably filling you up. Along with this dessert, be sure to have the right cocktail pairings to keep the mood light, airy, and fun, and to keep the night going well past your meal.
Photo by madmarv00 via Flickr