As an online dating coach, I work with people from different backgrounds, cultures, ages (20s to 70s) with numerous dating goals – perhaps newly widowed, divorced, transplanted across the country and more.

But no matter what your age and ethnicity, the same items resonate!

Your Premiere Photo

Whether on OkCupid, Match or Date My Age, your photo is the very first, eye-catching presentation you make – and yes, it makes, or breaks you. The photo should be high resolution, and you should not be looking straight into the camera. After all, this is not a resume shot!

Princess Di perfected the head tilt and that can be a beautiful look for some ladies. Doing something unique works too – one client was cuddling a koala bear and that stopped many men in their tracks!

Profile – Go for It!

Many smart people need help with their online dating profiles as it can be difficult to write about yourself. Some sites allow only 300 characters (so you can’t waste a single one!), and some allow a full bio (no, not a novel). In both situations, come out of the gate fast as some apps only show the first two lines.

If you go with something like:

“Love to travel and hike. Live music and theatre…”

No matter how true those words, they have become cliché, and will drive interest away from the rest of you.

A better approach would be:

“Sardinia, Sicily, Capri or Bust this summer! Vaccinated. Sole fell off my old hiking boots so breaking in a new…”

The vibe in this profile is strong and will create further interest.

Now, if you’re on a site like Match.com that allows a long bio, novellas don’t work – mystery does. So, write 3–4 paragraphs of no more than 3–4 sentences each. Three about you, one about what you are looking for. Nothing generic!

Negativity

Why am I even broaching the topic on negativity? Because I’ve seen the profiles people write when they don’t really know what they’re doing.

Here’s a real beginning of an online profile from a pretty, 57-year-old personal trainer:

“Let me just be direct, no one fat or overweight. Must workout 4-5x a week as I’m in great shape.”

Yes, she went straight to the point, but in a way that will push candidates away. That is not what she wanted, so I urged her to go in a different direction and highlight her plusses and expectations. The outcome (with help) was:

“Healthy is my middle name! I’ve been in the fitness business for 25+ years and love working out, yoga and also am a licensed nutritional counselor. Looking for a partner who likes athletic endeavors, I’m up for trying anything!”

Messages/Texts

Yay, you’ve gotten replies – now what to do? Don’t rush! Set those replies aside for a day. You want to look for the type of person you want to meet, and yes, he may be in the first pile of replies, but chances are slim.

Plus, many of these initial responses will be something like “Hi, what’s up” or “Hi, your eyes are pretty.” Chances are, these candidates didn’t really read your profile.

Instead, start your own search by using the site’s/app’s tools, such as age parameters, height, distance from you, religion or other items that may be important to you.

Why am I saying this? While you have told this site/app your parameters, they have crazy algorithms that will send you men 20 years younger, 200 miles away. For success, you don’t wait on the app to suggest people to you – you are proactive, strategic and take control of the app. A good dating coach can walk you through these steps.

Contact

You’ve found three, or four – or even five! ­– interesting candidates for you. What do you say? Well, for starters, it’s up to you to reach out.

A simple text can go a long way if properly composed. Something like this:

“Hi Mark, Loved the photo of you jet skiing. I’m a water person – swimming laps in open water is my thing. Do you have exciting plans for the weekend? Warmly, Lara”

Key pointers:

• Personalized by using his name;
• Showed we read/looked at his profile;
• Gave a little info on you;
• Closed with a question (to elicit a response);
• Warmly, Lara – just an extra touch!

Approached the positive, strategic way, online dating can be such an adventure and full of great stories! Two good friends decided to become my clients at 33000Dates at the same time. One found a great man on her first date on Match. Her friend went through 9 dates on Match, came up empty (but lots of fun stories) and is now dating someone she met on Hinge.

Ladies, it only takes one, and I know there’s a lid for every pot!

What is the most difficult thing for you when it comes to online dating profiles? What did you first try look/read like? Where did you learn to tune in your profile and make it more interesting for potential candidates? Do you have funny stories to share from your online dating experience? We’d love to hear them!

I won’t lie. Gift cards are the quick and easy route, especially when it might not be easy to get to the mall right now. However, there are some Mother’s Day beauty gift ideas that require just a bit more effort and will actually warrant a pleasantly surprised reaction. And no, I’m not just talking about gift sets that are budget-friendly and somewhat interesting. This year, let’s get those creative juices flowing a bit more in the name of long-distance gifting, something a lot of us will be doing.

Now is the time to invest in that hair tool that looks complicated, but is probably easy to use. Or think ahead and stock up on some truly innovative travel-friendly essentials before vacations are more than a pipedream. Maybe the designer set with a bag she can reuse is the winner. Regardless of your budget, there’s plenty of options for elevating your gift-giving game for Mother’s Day. Here’s a starter list of gifts we all love.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Laundry Day.

Laundry Day Cloud Candle

Mom will feel so on-trend with this soy and vegetable wax candle that truly looks like a work of art.

Roen.

Roen Kiss My Liquid Lip Balm Shimmer

Mom will love this non-sticky lip gloss made with mango and Grapeseed oils to hydrate, nourish and soothe even the most chapped lips.

Hanacure.

Hanacure All-In-One Facial (Starter Kit)

You’ve seen this “old lady” mask all over Instagram. Give Mom this trial kit so she can get in on the anti-aging action.

Finishing Touch Flawless.

Finishing Touch Flawless Leg Hair Remover

I’ve long been a fan of the entire Finishing Touch Flawless line (including the vibrating rose quartz roller), but if you really want to impress your mom, present her with this very fancy-looking but easy to use hair remover.

Buy: Leg Hair Remover $59.99

Mara.

Mara Volcanic Sea Clay Detox Masque

Give Mom the gift of self-care with this enzyme-packed mask that draws out impurities without drying out the skin.

Charlotte Tilbury.

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick 2

If you’re going the makeup route, give it some Joe Exotic flair with cheetah print. Choose from 11 shades named after iconic women.

Lord Jones.

Lord Jones Mother’s Day Hemp-Derived CBD Gumdrops

Give Mom the gift of chill with these ripe raspberry gummies with 20mg of CBD in each.

Hey Dewy.

Hey Dewy Humidifier

Mom will love the space-saving size of this multiuse humidifier that delivers hydration to the hair and skin. A little slice of heaven, indeed.

Christian Louboutin.

Christian Louboutin Loubidoo Fragrance

Speaking of art, has anything looked more decadent on a vanity? This lucky cat just might bring your mom great fortune this year. Plus, the floral-fruity is sure to please.

Dyson.

Dyson Special Gift Edition Airwrap Complete

Mom deserves to have her life changed by this six-piece hair system. Plus, it comes with a gift edition travel pouch.

Ostrichpillow.

Ostrichpillow Loop

How fluffy and luxurious does this eye mask look?! Its clever design hugs your entire head for a cocoon-like feel and the material, a mix of viscose and elastomer, doesn’t rub against the skin.

Buy: Ostrichpillow Loop $34.99

Noble Panacea.

Noble Panacea The Absolute Intense Renewal Serum

This powerful serum treats all signs of aging, fortifying skin and boosting collagen and elasticity. Each active daily dose is in a tiny refill packet that’s fully recyclable with the brand’s TerraCycle program.

Pave The Way.

Pavé the Way Stronger Together Necklace

Show Mom she keeps you grounded with this ethically sourced diamond and 18k gold necklace. 100 percent of profits go to a charity of your choice so you can make a donation in her honor.

If you’re looking to explore your roots, or just want to soak up some regional history, look no further than your local cemetery. On most mornings, that is exactly where I go, because I am a funeral director. But I often head there on my off-time, too. Working as a funeral director has piqued my curiosity about the lives of those who rest beneath the monuments.

In fact, it was such interest that inspired me to author two books about notable American cemeteries: Green-Wood Cemetery and Gardens of Stone.

I’m far from alone in my interest. Touring cemeteries has become a huge pastime as evidenced by the many hashtags, such as #tombstonetourism and #cemeterywandering, to be found on social media.

Whether small churchyard cemeteries or large, elaborate necropolises, cemeteries today are regarded as cultural repositories and outdoor museums. What’s more, they are visual reminders that every life has a story, and one of them may be the story of your ancestors.

Learning About Your Ancestry

“Discovering the cemeteries and graveyards of your ancestors is a great place to further your genealogical research, as well as a make a physical connection to ancestral family,” says Valerie Elkins, a family history expert and professional genealogist based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Besides the commonly found information of name, birth and death dates, grave headstones may include clues on where to find further information to aid your research,” she says.

That information may include the person’s hometown, even in another country. Emblems on tombstones can provide clues to past membership in fraternal organizations, a person’s religion, and their veteran status, Elkins explains.

“Neighboring headstones can link families together, so it is important to pay attention to those graves surrounding them. Shared death dates might tell you that they died from the same cause such as a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, or that they died to possible unnatural causes such as war or murder.”

Elkins recommends the Internet as a good starting point if you are unable to locate your ancestor’s grave. FamilySearch.org, a free website, provides access to millions of records that the Family History Library, the world’s largest genealogical library, has available.

Ancestry.com, which has a large catalog of cemetery records, is also a good resource. It is a premium website, but local libraries often provide free access.

And if online research doesn’t work, Elkins says it pays to contact local and state genealogy societies, which may be the key to finding information about cemeteries, even unpublished small family graveyards, especially since cemeteries’ names may have changed over time.

“Once you locate your loved one’s headstone, take photos of the stone,” she says. “Some headstones have information on the back and sides of the stone, so be sure and record this as well. Take pictures of the neighboring headstones to research later.”

Touring for Pleasure

While many visit cemeteries to trace their family lineage, others go to view the splendid architecture and learn more about local history.

“The history of America is in cemeteries,” says Marge Raymond, a veteran senior tour guide for Brooklyn, New York’s renowned Green-Wood Cemetery.

Raymond, who knows just about every inch of the cemetery’s 478 acres, first discovered Green-Wood through her interest in bird-watching.

“I was captivated by the beauty of Green-Wood and wanted to know everything about it,” Raymond recalls. She began to go on tours offered by the cemetery, soon becoming a volunteer who welcomed visitors and manned the cemetery’s book cart.

Her dedication was rewarded when, in 2007, Raymond became an official Green-Wood Historic Fund tour guide. Early on, she created three unique routes for the trolley tour, and for over a decade has given hundreds of walking, and private, tours.

Raymond’s knack for storytelling has garnered her scores of glowing reviews on Tripadvisor, as well a reputation as one of New York’s most popular tour guides. She is also a professional vocalist, who has sung with such legends as Rock and Roll’s Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and was in the chorus for the late tenor, Luciano Pavarotti.

Sometimes billed as “the singing tour guide,” Raymond has been known to break into song at a gravesite, to the delight of those on her tour. One of those gravesites is that of Leonard Bernstein on Battle Hill, which occupies the highest point in Brooklyn and is a favorite spot of Raymond’s.

“I would call it a trifecta. There’s the remarkable Civil War Monument erected in 1869 by the City of New York, the statue of Minerva, the sister statue to the Statue of Liberty, and the grave of our beloved maestro Leonard Bernstein.” And, she says, “you can’t beat the view of the New York City skyline from that vantage point.”

What to Know Before You Go

Whether you’re taking a guided tour, or mapping out your own self-guided walk, here are some helpful tips from Elkins and Raymond to get the most out of your tour.

Familiarize Yourself with the Cemetery and Its Notable Inhabitants

“People come into the cemetery and look around. They may recall a name or two, but sometimes tourists don’t know the significance of what they’re looking at. That’s where a guided tour comes in. A tour guide knows the grounds and the stories behind the monuments,” Raymond says.

Search Find A Grave and Billion Graves

“Findagrave.com and BillionGraves.com are websites that have indexed thousands of graves from cemeteries around the world and are easily searchable,” says Elkins. BillionGraves.com also allows you to record the GPS coordinates of a headstone, along with the headstone’s information, to make it easier for others to locate.

Ask Questions of the Tour Guide

Don’t be a passive spectator. If something catches your interest, or you have a question, make sure to ask your guide. They welcome your interest.

Venture Off the Beaten Path

“I’ll find something interesting written on a headstone, then I’ll go and look it up,” says Raymond, who, while traversing Green-Wood’s public lots came across the grave of an early 20^th century cyclist whose stone monument noted that he “died from exhaustion” after winning a race.

Tailor the Tour to Your Special Interests

Whether those interests are legendary movie stars, natural disasters, world wars, inventors, organized crime figures, or sports figures, there’s likely a tour for that interest.

Size Up the Particulars of the Tour

It is practical to have some numbers. How long is the tour? What’s the terrain like? Is there a trolley or bus alternative to walking? Needless to say, wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Know the Cost

Costs vary from cemetery to cemetery. Members of historic funds often quality for a discount.

If you’re planning to be in New York this spring, Raymond will be giving tours on April 17^th at 1 pm & April 30^th at 7 pm, and on May 8^th & May 30^th at 1:00 pm. Head over to https://www.green-wood.com/calendar/ for more details. And as one Tripadvisor reviewer recommends:

“Make sure to ask for Marge when you book, she’s like a walking history book!”

How often do you visit your local cemetery? What is the primary reason to go? Have you been on a cemetery tour? Do you think you’d go to one if available in your area? What would you look for? Do you have a favorite cemetery? Please share with the community!

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Hershey Park was the place to be. A rollercoaster that gives you chocolate at the end? Sign me up. The Hershey store had all the candy-themed games and clothes you could ever imagine. Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to the HipDot x Reese’s collection. Not to mention, Reese’s is my favorite candy. So, what could be better than the makeup quality of HipDot’s in cute AF packaging?

“Reese’s candy has satisfied millions of taste buds for so long, and when the opportunity came along to offer fans a new way to tap their other senses, it was too sweet of a deal to pass up,” Jeff Sellinger, CEO of HipDot Cosmetics, said in a statement. “We’re excited to be working with this legendary household brand.”

The best part about this line actually isn’t the packaging, and that’s what makes it so shoppable. The shades on their own are stunning, especially if you’re a fan of neutral eyeshadow palettes with a pop of color. This isn’t makeup for kids. Just wait until you feel the buttery formulas that are vegan and cruelty-free, made without talc, mineral oil, phthalates and parabens.

Plus, yes, all the shadows and lipsticks smell lightly of chocolate. Yum. Just like HipDot’s other buzzy collections, we expect this one to sell out. Shop it all, below!

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

HipDot.

Reese’s White Chocolate Cup Pigment Palette

With six matte and shimmer shades in lighter hues.

HipDot.

Reese’s Milk Chocolate Cup Pigment Palette

With six matte and shimmer shades in deeper hues.

HipDot.

Reese’s Lips Duo

With two tinted lip balms in Chocolate Lovers (a sheer nude) and Peanut Butter Lovers (a sheer brown).

HipDot.

Reese’s Double-Ended Brushes Duo

Don’t forget eyeshadow brushes.

HipDot.

Reese’s Limited Edition Collectors Bag Set

Get the entire collection with a cute makeup bag.

Jackie Goldschneider’s Green Strapless Confessional Look

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 11 Instagram Fashion

Jackie Goldschneider’s green strapless confessional dress had her wrapped up in a bow like a pretty package. A package that I am totally green with envy about.  In fact, 3 new confessional looks debuted last night, and they were all green. Leaving me wondering if perhaps the people who style these new-ish themed reunions are trying their hands at monochromatic testimonial looks. And if we’re based it on Jackie’s jewel tone dress, I think the idea is a total gem.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Giuseppe Di Morabito Dress 

Originally posted at: Jackie Goldschneider’s Green Strapless Confessional Look