Notez By Naomz : Edition 5

A quirky and fun newsletter to lighten up your day a quarantiny bit.

INTRODUCTION

I'm a happy hugger, a comfortable cuddler, but since covid-19- I am definitely not a covid- cuddler. On my post-work walk, it dawned on that I am absolutely-one-hundred-percentosis happy to keep distance from people. If someone does not actively avoid me in the street, I take it as a personal insult. HOW DARE THEY not avoid me? How DARE they smile, nod and proceed to walk past me acting like it is just a regular evening filled with sunshine? I did need to ask myself, when did I become such a happy social recluse? Let's be frank: there is no 'social' in 'social distance'. There is just 'DISTANCE'. So, whilst sticking to the measure is following government procedure and definitely the healthy way forward, I am becoming too used to this 'distance'. This was reinforced when the next people I encountered on the street were a happy, young couple who were laughing and holding hands. Gasping to myself, I looked at their interlocked fingers. That it precisely when I realised that I need to reinvigorate my life. Lockdown should not mean lonertown until the day we are back out. We are going to get out of the quarantine lifestyle, and when we do, we should happily embrace the post-lockdown life, and we should (if healthy and allowed) embrace each other. "Love is all around us" (who remembers the infamous song from Love Actually?). Yes, we should adapt to the new normal, create new routines and make the best out of the situation we are in. Yet, that does not mean a forever acceptance that romance in lockdown, or lockdown love does not exist. Or, that post lock-down loving will not exist either. Sparks happen naturally, but there's an amazing human invention you might have previously heard about. It's called a LIGHTER. Light the match to find your match!

Let's Lockdown Love this Life a little

Essentials

Have no fear, just get the right gear. Let love take the steer, and your happily-ever-after will be near.

Top Romance Movies You Should Watch During Lockdown

(-The movies are listed in no particular order-)

First things first. We need to stop looking at screens (at least I do this) and think its weird when people are too close. Let's get some of the best romantic movies back on the radar, and celebrate the times we WILL have again.

1. Dirty Dancing

2. Breakfast at Tiffany's

3. A Star is Born

4. Hitch

5. The Notebook

6. Pride and Prejudice

7. Elizabethtown

8. The Bodyguard

9. West Side Story

10. Ghost

11. Casablanca

12. The Vow

13. The Fault in Our Stars

14. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

15. What If

16. Yes Man

17. The Great Gatsby

18. The Big Sick

19. Stuck in Love

20. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Innovative Movie Snacks to go with your perfect Movie Marathon

Check these funky snacks from Buzzfeed here (Rose gummy bears and Champagne jello shots?!)

The foodnetwork talks about some cool Sweet n Salty Chickpeas

...And of course, some healthy movie snacks, including Tofu Popcorn bites

(click on the hyperlinks above to go to the websites for more info!)

How To Date In Lockdown

Alternative for you loved up-coupled up lovers out there: How to Friend in Lockdown

#spreadlovenotgerms

There's always options. There's always a way. Where there is a will, oh honey, honey, there is a way. Don't let lockdown lock you down! ! ! ! ! Unlock the you you know you want to be:

Friendsperiment. It could be love, it could be friendship. Ask a friend to 'set you up' with another friend, love is blind style. Swap numbers and get to know someone virtually. Put some rules in place, because there is nothing better than 'organised fun'. For example:

1) Swap numbers via a friend of yours

2) Text the new person, lock in a date and time

3) Set some ground rules

These could include: Set a timer for 30 minutes, Pick a theme or talking points: (Beliefs: Do you believe in Star signs? Habits: Habit you developed when you were young and can't stop? Pet peeves: A scent you can't stand? Who knows what could happen? What do you have to lose?

Virtual cooking date. Again, pick a friend, a date, or even a parent if you wish (I was talking about picking one of your own parents, but why not expand and find some other parents to chat too?) Perhaps a grand-parent? #generationgrandma? Choose a recipe and virtually cook together. Make it fun, make it flirty, or just a little competitive. Whilst cooking, have a glass of vino together, chat, debate and most importantly create! Ultimately, you can enjoy the same meal together. Click on the links to get some inspiration for dinner recipes: Spicy jacket sweet potato, Garlic ginger and sesame brown rice, Indian-style lamb and eggplant pizza.

Whilst I was searching for some inspiration around the topic lockdown-love online, I came across this interesting website for an App, that can check the compatibility of you and your lover using your star sign. The technology, apparently, is powered by AI that merges NASA data with the insight of human astrologers. How different and interessant- check it out, its called Co-Star (12/10 for clever name).

Let's bring back the original 'love is blind' experiment. Who remembers the study that was published in 2015 and went viral about how to create intimacy between two humans? Ah yes. The 36 Questions that Lead to Love. Why not try it with someone? Does it work? Even if you have gone through the questions before, it might have been a while.

And finally, there is always the good ol' Online Dating App world. I've heard Bumble is poppin' right now. Isn't the scary thing about dating online that you could be meeting a stranger? PROBLEM SOLVED. You won't be meeting this stranger anytime soon. So why not get your virtual valentine? No risk, no reward.