Make Matchmaking Work for You!

Here at Seventy Thirty, we have years of experience in the field of luxury international matchmaking and have seen amazing results from successful introductions to marriages and new families. However, we also know the pitfalls that can occur on the matchmaking journey.  We have seen potentially great partnerships between elite individuals fall by the wayside for the same old reasons, which are easily preventable. Therefore it is worth considering the following points when you are on your matchmaking journey.

Keep preferences open, and reject the idea of a ‘type’

When considering qualities in a future partner, people often have strict preferences and ‘types’, and adhere quite rigidly to these in the dating game.  These preferences are frequently carried over from fantasy images we absorb as children, media stereotypes, or a past relationship which has either been a painful experience or has been idealised. The trick is to be clear on a few values you hold dear, but be flexible on peripheral characteristics. This strengthens your chances of finding the ultimate meaningful and thrilling relationship.

Don’t reject people on the basis of trivialities

When it comes to considering matches, members can sometimes reject somebody on the basis of comparatively minor details for example a slight difference in height, a different interest or their hair colour.  Whilst we all have our preferences, eliminating people in this way can mean missing out on someone with whom the chemistry is great, and with whom the corresponding values and relationship goals would make for an exciting and fulfilling relationship. It is therefore a good idea to consider potential partners in the way you would like them to consider you.

Consider the idea that you are still learning about yourself

People often learn about themselves during the fascinating journey of matchmaking, and discover that what they thought they wanted is not what transpires to be their best match.  Being too restrictive about preferences reduces the pool of potential partners considerably, and lessens the chance of learning what really makes us tick in a relationship.  Finding a relationship is a journey of self-discovery in which you learn about yourself as well as the other person. This gives you further insight regarding who your dream partner might turn out to be.  

Don’t fall at the first post

A common reason for early mishaps at the introductions stage is miscommunication or differences in styles of communication early on.  People often have pre-conceived ideas about when people should get in touch or the style of text, and make sweeping generalisations about someone’s character based on this tiny piece of information.  People’s expectations about making initial contact can vary widely, so perhaps it’s best to suspend judgements at this early stage and give your potential match a chance.  As exclusive matchmakers, we have often intervened when there has been a misunderstanding at an early stage, and subsequently seen a beautiful relationship blossom.

Give relationships a chance to evolve

Finally, although you can get an initial impression of someone from meeting them or talking to them, most people take time to reveal their personality and qualities.  How often have we ended up adoring someone we initially didn’t take to? Whilst we don’t suggest you take this to the extreme, it is another point worth thinking about since human relationships are complex and intricate, and therefore not always predictable. 

New Year’s Eve: where to take a date

New Year’s Eve is one of the most exciting times of the year. It always promises to be a highlight on the social calendar. A night that shines bright with resolve for a beautiful new year ahead whilst celebrating the accomplishment of the year passed. If one is at the stage in your relationship where you are going to spend New Year’s Eve together with your partner, especially if it is your first one together, you should ensure that you offer an ultimate location, with luxury touches for an exclusive night of love and revelry. Here are some tips of our favourite international destinations to spend a night of glitz and glamour with the influential and affluent socialites of the party circuit.

The Classic - The Ritz, London, England

A grand black tie affair, New Year’s Eve at The Ritz is suitably filled of blue bloods and young bloods, this year with a 1920’s theme. Come tuxedo ready and enjoy a night surrounded by pure high-end elegance, re-living the Great Gatsby splendour.

Double Trouble - Sydney / Las Vegas

What is better than spending one New Year’s Eve together – spending two together! PrivateFly offers an elite package deal starting off the evening at an exclusive party at the Sydney Opera House at 8 pm in Sydney, Australia and then at 2 am be flown on the fastest private jet to Los Angeles, which is 19 hours behind. Start the night all over, arriving at 6 pm just in time for the Cleopatra Ball in Beverly Hills. Now that is what exclusive dating looks like.

Traditional - The Grand Ball, Vienna, Austria

Hosted at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, the Grand Ball promises a traditional night of good –old fashioned decadence and decorum. Remember to wear your tails and ladies the shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove. Look forward to waltzing to the Blue Danube and performances by the Viennese State Opera. This is an evening fit for a princess.

Adventure - 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town, South Africa

For a sumptuous African experience that can be combined with a safari holiday, the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town is the epitome of exclusive entertainment. With views over the ocean and mountains and a sumptuous 6 course meal over the evening on offer, this would suitably impress any fabulous date. Try something adventurous and have an African holiday.

The Beach - St Barts, Caribbean

New Year’s Eve in St Barts is a lavish and sexy celebration. Warm, blue water, white beaches and dazzling fireworks, makes it a lively love fest. Hire a villa, stay on a yacht or make yourself comfortable in the famous Eden Rock Hotel, and enjoy the beautiful beaches and bountiful parties. Go to Nikki Beach to people watch, lunch at Maya Restaurant and try get an invite to Roman Abramovich’s legendary New Year’s Eve party.

Skiing - St. Moritz, Switzerland

If the summer feeling is not for you, take your darling skiing. There is hardly a better option then St. Moritz, graced by celebrities and royalty alike. It is all about furs, fireworks and fun. Stay in the Kulm Hotel on the lake, which was established in 1864, party in the King’s Club and if you stay long enough you can catch the Cartier Polo tournament for exciting some snow polo. This exclusive location is both cosy and extravagant, the perfect romantic rendezvous.

With some many stunning choices on offer, there is a party perfect for your Cinderella or Prince Charming. If you don’t have a special someone on your arm, New Year’s Eve is a great opportunity to make new introductions, and if you need your very own cupid, Seventy Thirty, promises you the best in exclusive matchmaking. Wishing you a splendid night of celebration, may 2016 be a prosperous year of love, success and happiness for you and your loved ones. 

How to buy last minute gifts your loved ones will love…

With Christmas looming, the festive season is in full swing. From dashing around Bond Street to having your personal shopper at Harrods on speed dial, some of the more organised amongst us have already completed their Christmas shopping, with the help of Christmas fairies and long lists.  However due to all the Christmas parties and social and work commitments in the festive season, it can be hard to be keep up with it all, and Christmas shopping can slip away. This can leave even the best of us in a last minute spin for great goodies. Never fear, the Matchmakers at Seventy Thirty are right here, with a list of top tips to buy the ultimate in luxury last minute gifts which promise to steal the show.

 

·       Buy a Memory – buy something that is an experience and can build a memory rather than an item to hold. The gift of a memory can be a precious present, especially if it something you can do together. Some ideas for this include a hot air balloon trip across the dessert at sunrise, a safari in Africa or an adventure activity such as sky-diving or bungee jumping.

 

·       Personalise – it can sometimes be seen as a cliché but it can mean the world to give a personalised gift, something that is truly and uniquely theirs. This can be done using letters such as initials or engraving a special message. Some wonderful ways to do this include a personalised Burberry scarf from a Burberry Scarf Bar, or a Tiffany’s Alphabet pendant.

 

·       Show them you know them - buy something only you would know. Sometimes those you love share details with you that are closely guarded. Maybe they have a secret love of disco and rollerblading – buy them a disco music collection and take them to a rollerblading rink. Maybe they collect rare stamps or love bird watching. Use that knowledge to your advantage and give them something that shows you pay attention to the small personal details.

 

·       Give the gift of time – it is one of the most priceless commodities in the modern age. Make up a voucher for a weekend away just with you, or an afternoon of uninterrupted personal time.  It can mean more than anything you can buy, and then you just need to make sure to put that time aside.

 

·       Diamonds – you can never ever go wrong with diamonds. Be it classic cushion cut diamond studs for a lady, or classy cufflinks for a gentleman, diamonds always promise to bring a special sparkle to Christmas.

 

Hopefully this can help you spoil the nearest and dearest to you without too much toil on your behalf. With your shopping taken care of, go out and have yourselves a marvellous and merry Christmas. 

Single this Christmas? Embrace and celebrate.

Being in the ultimate relationship rather than any relationship is the goal for most of our elite clients, and is certainly our aim as matchmakers here at Seventy Thirty. However, that’s why we can often find ourselves single and holding out for the right person when Christmas comes around.  For some of us, this can be a tricky time of year when it seems like everyone else is paired off and with a range of Christmas festivities to look forward to.  However, with planning and the right attitude, Christmas can be a time of anticipation and excitement whether we’re attached or still dating.  Here’s how:

 

Plan and prepare

The best approach to Christmas and New Year’s is a pro-active one.  Without prior-planning, we can default to staying home and channel-surfing, a pass-time which quickly loses it’s charm.  Planning early enables us to build a schedule with plenty to look forward to.  The key point is that, paradoxically, those who are the most happy and fulfilled with a life they love when they are single are those that have most to bring to a relationship and subsequently build a rewarding partnership.  Therefore creating great times for yourself, whatever your status and whatever the time of year, is vital for your own success and well-being.

 

Accept invitations

How often do you regret accepting an invitation?  Probably rarely if ever.  Usually there are always experiences, introductions and conversations which make us feel glad we made the effort to engage in the social scene.  As Oscar Wilde once said, “Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations”, therefore take every opportunity of enjoying new places and social encounters which could prove to enrich your life.

 

It’s not what happens, it’s how we respond to it

People can often fall victim to thinking negatively about the Christmas period if their circumstances do not match their ideal.  Try and avoid the thinking trap of ‘compare and despair’ where we feel that our situation does not measure up to those of others, and avoiding ‘over-generalisation’ with thoughts such as ‘it looks like I’ll be single every Christmas’.  These styles of thinking are distorted rather than reality-based, so challenge these thoughts if they arise and focus on what you can do to make this a special time.  

 

Do something completely different

If you are free from obligations over the Christmas period, it can be a great opportunity to travel, volunteer or do something completely different than in previous years.  This can be especially helpful if the festive period is associated with painful memories which will be reignited by being in the same setting.  In day to day life, our brains get accustomed to similar experiences and routines, therefore a complete change or a new adventure serves to ‘re-boot’ the system.  Doing something novel not only engages all the senses but can also restore and inspire, which is an excellent way to begin a new year.

 

A time for reflection.

Following on from the last point, this is a great time of year to reflect on what to take from the previous year and what hopes, aspirations and goals we have for the year ahead.  Throughout the year, we often long for time to reflect on our lives and have time to ponder, but pressing engagements, business, and family all place great demands on our time.  Therefore, this is a good time to contemplate and plan in readiness for the psychological boost that comes with beginning a new year.  On New Years Eve, remember the words of Brad Paisley, “Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365-page book.  Write a good one”.