DATING ADVICE FROM MATCHMAKER PATTI StANGER & PEREZ HILTON

Looking for a Blissful Valentine's Day? Oh, Valentine's Day... I have memories of it that travel back to Elementary school. I remember going to the store with my mom to pick up V-Day cards for my classmates. Each student would have a brown paper bag hanging on the shelf that was decorated with hearts, and students would walk by and drop in Valentine's Day cards and candy.

Just in time for V-Day, this weekend I attended the star-studded Singles In America event sponsored by Match.com for delicious bites, amazing drinks by Van Gogh Vodka and of course some major dating advice from an expert panel featuring Celebrity Blogger Perez Hilton, Chief Scientific Advisor for Match.com Dr. Helen Fisher, Cosmopolitan's Sex & Relationship Editor Anna Breslawand, and Leading Sex Expert and Bravo TV Star Dr. Emily Morse. The discussion was moderated by Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger. The event, which took place at Toshi's Living Room in NYC. was very insightful and tons of fun!

So if you are single or dating someone new and in need of some expert dating advice here are a few tips that I learned during the event from our expert panel:

The issues you have on the 3rd date you'll have forever
15mins is the max amount of time you can be late on a date, anything after that is rude
The best place to meet someone is online & the worst place is a bar
A man you just started dating probably does not like to receive text messages during work hours
Do not cyber stalk your significant other! Maybe a couple of months in but not right away
It's important to have dating non-negotiables, but it's also important to have reasonable expectations
Singles assume that their love-interest isn't dating other ppl. Always assume they are in the beginning.

Before the event kicked off I had the opportunity to try some amazing cocktails by Van Goh Vodka, cafted by second generation Master Distiller Tim Vos. The company has 22 flavor Vodkas and I sampled three. The standout was the Rich Dark Chocolate which had a brilliant and bold flavor. I also really enjoyed the Pomegranate which would be great on the rocks or mixed as a Vodka cocktail. It was amazing! Not only did I get the opportunity to sample products by Van Goh Vodka but Cocktail Guru, Jonathan Pogash, was on site to teach us how to make these drinks.

So, if you are planning a special V-Day celebration at home here is a special treat! Below you can find my favorite recipes of the night which we were all able to take home with us.

I hope you enjoy them!

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My Honey Valentine

Created by Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru

1-1/2 oz. Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka

3/4 oz. pomegranate juice

1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

1/4 oz. honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water stirred until the honey dissolves)

Shake ingredients very well with ice and strain into martini glass or over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Cool Peach Bellini

Created by Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru

1 oz. Van Gogh Cool Peach Vodka

1-1/2 oz. Peach Puree

3 oz. Prosecco

Directions: In a mixing glass stir the vodka and puree well. Add the Prosecco with ice and gently fold the ingredients (without stirring too much, as this will remove bubbles). Strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top off with extra Prosecco and garnish with a fresh peach when in season.

Spice It Up

1 1/2 oz. Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka

3/4 oz. milk

1/2 oz. cinnamon syrup

Directions: Shake well with ice and strain into martini glass.

Garnish: pinch of chili powder sugar (equal parts cayenne pepper and sugar)