We are all wondering about these whimsical summer evenings – 72 degrees some eves’, 62 others.  Does it make it hard to plana little couple-only time away? Not at all! You always deserve a date night, a relationship boost, a refreshing night of something different, unexpected or nostalgic…

While it may not always be warm enough for a hazy dreamy twilight walk and kiss, (at least this summer!) there are some lovely alternatives.  The UofM Showboat Theatre review is raving “a cut above”  for both the production and the acting talents of   ’The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. What could be more novel than a theatre production on a floating showboat?!  It’s got date potential and will be playing all summer! Check out the other river cruises for their possibilities!

How about a bit of nostalgia?  Try Mini Golf!   The Adventure Gardens Mini Golf has 18 holes of miniature golf surrounded by attractive gardens, landscaping, waterfalls, ponds and streams.  It is located on the west edge of Veteran’s Memorial Park on 64th and Portland.

Perhaps some music outdoors at twilight will beguile you both into a summertime frame of mind?  The Music in the Zoo has tickets for many different July and August events. There is a little something for every musical taste – try the Monkey’s (for anyone who grew up in the 70′s!) to Los Lobos, or BoyzIIMen or HippieFest 2011, or Gaellic Storm! You can’t miss, it’s a guaranteed date night winner!

And if you are looking for a truly unique date, then go no further than Out Of The Box Dates.  You simply must try “Somethin’s Cooking” or “Let the Games Begin!” Check out all our dates, games, love notes or conversation cards. And then write us with your exceptional date experiences – we’d love to hear!

Perhaps it feels a little early for such crisp air, but it’s a chance to embrace the Fall with a romantic road trip.  Consider a fun fresh day-date with a search for tart apples and the beginning blending of fall colors!

Bite into Fall with an apple/leaf road trip!  If you haven’t headed SW of the Twin Cities in a while, take a spontaneous road trip down 169 south. Once  you pass the town of Jordan, just a little further on your right, you will find an amazing sunshine yellow building with multiple signs about apples, candy, and baked goods.

 They even promise 64 kinds of rootbeer and some 70+ kinds of licorice!  Pull in, and you will find 10-15 varieties of apples, which you can sample before you choose your favorite. You’ll find yummy extras from a huge variety of salsa’s to an amazing array of smoked bacon and jerky.  They always have fresh pies, strudel, and a whole room filled with candy, from old fashioned kinds you haven’t seen in years (Turkish Taffy anyone?) to European candies, to current favorites.  It’s a dream day-date guaranteed to make you giddy!

While you are in Jordan, hit a few antique stores - there are 4– one of them in an old brewery.  And maybe try the local meat market, still family owned and famous for it’s ring bologna.

Or maybe you’d like to pick your own apples?

It’s the original date!

Find your closest apple orchard by visiting Minnesota Grown‘s website. They have 108 different apple orchards to choose from!  They also have directories for Fall raspberries, pumpkins, winery’s, and farmer’s markets. Lots of possibilites for Minnesota-grown dates!

So get in the spirit (before leaf-raking time hits!) and make your own unusual date of apple picking, apple tasting and some antiques. Think of it as Couples Fall Therapy!

Don’t just let weekends fall to cleaning the garage and watching football. Spark your marriage with a weekend A+ Romantic idea!  Enrich your marriage mindfully with our Twin Cities destinations for romance and fun. What could be more romantic than heading back in time?

Take a stroll through the Renaissance Festival!  Open weeknds through Oct 1, you can spend the day or a few hours renewing your relationship. Try on a new role with each other, think “a simpler time” and join the fun at the Ale Festival this weekend!

The Royal Ale Festival will include Byggvir’s Big Beer Cup’s National Homebrew Competition, free beer tastings from Shell’s, a home brew demonstration, and much more. Byggvir’s Big Beer Cup features more than 250 beers from across the nation.

The festival is located on Hwy 169, three miles south of Shakopee.  Price of admission is $19.95 for adults.  Discount tickets are available at participating Super America and Walgreens stores.  Parking is free. 

Not in the mood for time travel? Then take your love to enjoy the end of summer at the last outdoor music festival!

The Concrete and Grass Music Festival, besides being one of the last festivals of the season, is certainly one of the most eclectic. This free outdoor event held at Mears Park, downtown Saint Paul is a unique partnership of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Ordway Center, Schubert Club and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

On Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th, the Concrete and Grass Festival takes to the outdoors with two stages in Mears Park. Friday night, the Main Stage gets things started with The Minnesota Opera at 5pm. Irv Williams takes the stage at 6:30, followed by the hip hop and soul stylings of Dessa at 8:30. Meanwhile on the Acoustic Stage, you can catch an acoustic set from Desdamona at 6pm, then Molly Maher at 7:30.

Saturday kicks off at noon on the Main Stage with Salsa del Sol followed by Schubert at 1:30, and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra at 4pm. The evening features two established local rock acts. Communist Daughter hits the stage at 6:30, then at 8:30, catch the Suicide Commandos.

The Acoustic Stage includes performances by Eve & the Apple, Tanner Taylor, Moses Oakland, and Young Relics. You can read bios for all performers online if you’re curious. For a full schedule of performances and set times, visit the schedule page.

So make it a Romance Weekend with these fresh date ideas. Improve your relationship with the unexpected. And enjoy the weekend TOGETHER! 

 Send us your best/worst Valentines Day experience!   Submit to

romance@outoftheboxdates.com. Your submission will remain anonymous.

 But we really do have some advice from some Stars….and others…on Valentines Day plans.  For example, Mr. McDreamy (aka Patrick Dempsey)’s recent interview in Reader’s Digest reveals:

Love before jewelry. “I’ve never really believed in Valentine’s Day. You’re anxious about buying the right gift, but it’s really about your heart, not a TV commercial for De Beers diamonds. The best Valentine’s Days are magical and spontaneous and just sort of unfold.”

Read More:  http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/patrick-dempsey-tvs-mcdreamy-offers-his-best-love-advice/article173778.html  

Advice from the Advice Girl 

 Things to do for Valentines Day:  “Whatever you do, remember not to take Valentine’s Day too seriously. Having fun, or just kicking back and relaxing, is way more important than trying to have some perfect romantic night that won’t live up to your expectations anyway.”

 Read More:  http://www.espin.com/advice/totally_random/romantic-things-to-do-for-valentines-day

 Try something completely different! How about a book for Valentines Day? Check out Valentine Delights from Harlequin…. “Accompanied by recipes for decadent chocolate treats, the three stories found in Valentine Delights are sweet, sumptuous, and perhaps even better than chocolate!”

Read More:  http://www.amazon.com/Valentine-Delights-Harlequin-Meryl-Sawyer/dp/0373833245

 My funny Valentine: Here’s some useful romance advice…maybe. 

• Don’t sign that card “Love” unless you really mean it!
• Never guess sizes when buying her fancy underwear!
• Get busy in the boudoir and then fight about money!

Read More:  http://pureromance.com/images/news/pdf/PR_News_Kansas%20City%20Star2-07.pdf

 So – Get It Together! Time To Plot Out Your Strategy! Then Email us your Best/Worst Valentines Day! We really want to know!   romance@outoftheboxdates.com. 

Tell us YOUR romantically unusual  Dates!

 Yes, this blog post is about the Secret to the Unusual Date, but in preparation for Valentines Day, we’d love to get some real life examples of your romantically unusual Valentine’s Day dates! Please email your Best or Worst unusual Valentine’s Date to  romance@outoftheboxdates.com. Your submission will remain anonymous!

So what do we mean by unusual?

Truly, there are some unusual dates out there. Don’t have the stomach to take tango lessons together?  Not considering the tandem sky diving lessons that have popped up?  Whether your partner is married to you, or you are planning a date with someone new, it is courageous to desire to create the unusual date!  Dinner and a Movie couldn’t be more passé, not to mention you don’t get to converse while watching a movie!

 So how do you make it unusual without making it a turn-off?

The key is in unlocking your observational skills and looking for unique things you have noticed about your date or spouse. Think about his/her interests or hobbies or a chance remark about travel. A personalized approach to date planning is endearingly appreciated by the recipient! 

Need some suggestions to get you started?  Well, here are a few unusual date ideas:

•  S/he nurtures a desire to paint? Try an art school where you can enroll together for a workshop – include a kit of some painting supplies as your invite!
• Does S/he love reading?  Ask at your local bookstore about an author- reading coming up.  You could tuck the invitation inside a copy of a book by that author.
• Perhaps cooking is a favorite? Try looking for a local high-end cooking store. Many of them offer “event” classes, like a couples cooking class, or a special menu preparation class (you just watch & eat) combined with live music or a classic film.  You could copy off a description of the class event registration and slide it in a basket of cooking goodies.
• A fashion guru?  Do some googling or check with local boutiques asking about any upcoming fashion galas (could be only once a year – so planning required!)
• You uncover that s/he loves the idea of a trip to Africa or the Amazon. It may not be the same, but s/he will appreciate your surprise visit to a zoo. Many zoo’s offer special events for new members – buy her/him a membership and see!
• And of course, not all of us can create something out of thin air – and that is why Out Of The Box Dates is such a great idea! Check it out! http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/romantic-adventure-shop.php

Once you think of something that you are sure s/he is interested, work through your friends – connections- brainstorm- to create a truly unique and personal date. It’s a great romantic gesture, practically guaranteed to be not only an Unusual Date, but a success! And the key to their heart!

Are you a shoe-in for Santa’s nice list? Maybe it’s time to shake things up a bit. Every relationship could use a little naughty now and again!  No, I don’t mean Tiger naughty. But sometimes you have to practice being playful. Do something unexpected.

For example, those 4 inch shoes you wouldn’t wear on a bet in the real world, can make life fun and interesting in the bedroom! You don’t need to spend a fortune – a quick web search will show you that you can get a little playful diversion for $15.

Next time you have a few minutes – look around for something unusual – not your typical style or look, but perhaps in the safety of your own home you can take the risk! Pearl champagne toe thong? $10!!

Or, look no further than this website! The Passport to Intimacy may be just what Santa would put in your stocking!  You can visit the Grand Can-Yen or the Great Barrier Reef-lexes! Check it out for only $6.99! http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/more-shopping.php#passportintimacy

Take a risk!  And a little cinnamon and spice to your relationship. Try shopping at www.Buycostumes.com   You’ll both enjoy the fun!  And there may even be time before Christmas…or at least New Years Eve!