PJ Osgood

To purchase a copy of the book:
The It's Just Lunch Guide to Dating in Chicago

For more information:

www.itsjustlunch.com

Winter Date Ideas:

Cozy up under blankets and enjoy a carriage ride through old town with the Antique Coach and Carriage Company for a half hour ($40) where you can have them take you to the 33 Club bar and Restaurant at Wells and Schiller. Here you can mingle with a few drinks and snack on some of their famous truffle oil deviled eggs or bacon popcorn. From there you can walk (or cab it) to Second City.

Looking for an outdoor activity on a beautiful winter day? Go over to Millennium Park skating rink. Not only is it a great activity to try together but it's a great place to people watch. Next, head over to Tavern at the Park where you can warm up by the fire and sip on their famous "Bacon Martini". If you're having a good time, head over to Park Grill for dinner.

Want to see their dance moves? Take a ballroom or salsa dance class at Arthur Murray's. Then head over to Bin 36 for a wine flight.

Still having fun? Make sure to hop in cab over to Hot Chocolate at 1747 N. Damen Ave. Famous for their chocolaty drinks and desserts.

Need a good daytime date idea? Walk around the Shed Aquarium or the Art Institute for a couple hours then head over to 11th City Diner at 11th and South Wabash for some good eats and hot toddy's.

Still having fun? Head over to the Sears/Willis Tower's sky deck where the glass ledge extends 1,350 feet above the streets of Chicago!

Tips to how to get a date:

Join organizations that interest you. There are local organizations that people can get involved with (like the Jaycee's, Young Professionls of Chicago, Dreams for Kids) you will meet like minded people whom you will connect with on a different level.

Get out of the house. People tend to hibernate and sulk in the harsh winter months, but try to avoid falling into that trap. Get out and enjoy a day out at a museum or even a stop in a local coffee shop. The whole point is that you never know who you could meet or where you could meet. You have to be open to all opportunities.

Don't be shy. The biggest fear that people have if the fear of rejection, so your ego may get a little bruised, but trust me it's nothing you can't recover from. So if you find someone that sparks your interest, a simple and polite smile and "Hi" will go light years further than a stupid pick-up line.

Honesty is the best policy. People have made it a customary habit to skirt around issues and to not be honest with themselves let alone someone else. If you aren't interested in someone, don't string them along, trust me it will save you both a ton of time and heartache. But if you are interested, then genuinely act like it, don't play the games we all know and hate. Playing games only creates more self doubt and does not add anything positive to the conversation or your relationship.