The life and times of three
love mad Tree bloggers!

Our picks for this month:

Inspirational, one of our lovely members sent us this link in response to the news that we were shutting up shop. She told us it would inspire us to great things. Have to say, we thought it amazing. It makes you look at your life afresh. If you watch one thing on YouTube this year, let it be this, please: Steve Jobs

Nice Knickers, we reckon this sweet, little company is doing a marvellous job and we think they represent a much bigger idea. Most of the clothing we get in the UK comes from factories where you can’t assure the conditions of the workers. It’s time to pressure the fashion industry, this is a start: WhoMadeYourPants

Magical Music, we were introduced to this venue by a couple I matched, who then got hitched there. It’s since become a favourite. There’s a constant stream of fun events, listed here are the free ones. Check out what they have on offer. I personally recommend Fernando’s Kitchen; they played me down the aisle and entertained our guests with music as they attended our zoo wedding. They’re outstanding: Rich Mix

Good Karma, if you feel your green knowledge leafs (!) something to be desired, or you’re, in fact, an environmentalist enthusiast and want to broadbean your awareness, take a look at this source of all things earth friendly. Yes, so we admit we were also swayed by the site’s wonderful name: Treehugger

Good things that have happened to us:

So you’d think it would be quite hard to think of good things this month, as we face our final few days as bespoke matchmakers (the online dating will live on, phew!). However, despite our tears we are feeling pretty lucky. The news that we’re stopping that side of the business was met with the most moving torrent of messages. We sat reading them together, for once silenced. Our collective emotion was evident as we all fought back the lumps in our throats. “Je ne regrette rien” may be a cliché, but it’s so true of us. We put every bit of ourselves into this company because we truly believed in it. Everyone deserves love. None more so than our members, perhaps. We know you’re brilliant relationship material, that’s why we took you on. We will be rooting for all of you long after the Tree has been felled. We may be poor of pocket, but you’ve all enriched us hugely. Thanks.

Dating anecdotes:

I decided to share something a bit odd with you this time. I’d like you to imagine a twenty-something girl, from a very working-class family. Leaves school at fifteen to help bring money in. Living with her mother, as her father died in a tragic accident. Never left her county, let alone the country. Her life revolves around going to church, working and looking after her relatives. Now imagine a man the same age, but from a very wealthy, aristocratic family. He’s circled the globe by the time he’s ten. Boarding school, university, glittering career in finance ahead of him. Chelsea flat, Lotus. His life revolves around partying. The fact that these two hail from completely divergent countries and cultures makes them even more contrasting. These people are my parents. They married forty-two years ago and remain happily together. A little like me and Baz, so many things could have separated them, but they didn’t look for the problems. My Dad said he fell in love with my Mum because she seemed kind (he also says she happens to have the brightest smile!) and my Mum fell for my Dad because he appeared interested in her opinions (!). It can be that simple, people. Something that’s always struck me in this job is that everyone is striving for perfection, which sometimes means they can’t see the wood for the trees. Don’t make it complicated. If you do like the person you’re dating, great. Give them a chance. You never know, you might be laughing about how unsuited you were forty odd years from now. Now, that would be a good position to be in, no?

Top dating tip:

Ok Men: tease, tease, tease! Women tell us they want someone to be playful. Stand up to her, if she deserves it. We hear endlessly that ladies want the gent to be strong and confident. Women: Be upbeat, talk, engage him with your charm. Chaps say they like girls who show spontaneity and who can appreciate adventure. Of course, they do still get swayed by seduction, so look as good as you can. Both of you: stop over-analysing it. Please. Let yourself go. Have fun, really life is too short.

The start of a sizzling summer…?

Our picks for this month:

Fitness Fix, this is an unusual one to mention, as you’re all fabulously formed.  However in case any of you are hoping to hone your six-packs or tone your pins to perfection, we thought you might want to meet Nick.  He’s everything you want in a personal trainer, effective, effusive and effing funny:  Nick Crispin

Open-air Opera, one of our favourite things to do on balmy evenings is to have a picnic in the grounds of the Holland Park Opera house.  While a ticket to get inside is rather costly, as it’s open-air you can hear the gorgeous music Read the rest of this entry »

We know from speaking to a lot of you that the demise of England in the world cup was a bitter pill to swallow.  Trust me we feel your pain.  Not only that, but now Fed’s out of Wimbledon too.  Nicky (his REAL wife) is not a happy bunny at all.  Whilst these developments may be shambolic, we’re not known for moping and think that actually, maybe they could be blessings in disguise?

Sport in general is SUCH a good topic to start a conversation with.  There is so much of it around at the moment, that even if you don’t know what’s what, you can ask the right kind of questions to find out.  Also, aside from providing a handy ice-breaker, this summer’s sporting overload means that pubs and bars are fuller than normal, so it’s a great way to meet people too.  Get yourself out there and get chatting. Read the rest of this entry »

World Cup Fever:  Helping you avoid red cards…

Naked Bike Ride, this is right up our street.  Not that we’re exhibitionists, mind.  It must totally break the ice and it also encourages people to cycle, two things we feel strongly about.  So if you’re free on Saturday 12thJune and you’re feeling brave, join in: Bare-Back Riding

Dr Demartini, we don’t usually promote self-help things because you folks don’t need them.  But I recently was given a free ticket (we do get some perks!) to hear this guy speak.  He was genuinely outstanding.  The crowd were very rational, bright, professionals.  He does a lot of stuff about relationships.  The organiser has offered SIAT a 20% discount, if you enter the code “Tree”:  Love Guru Read the rest of this entry »

I recently went to see the Noisettes at the Camden Roundhouse with my good buddy, Blankie.  It was without doubt one of the best gigs I’ve been to in a long while.  The lights were low, the atmosphere was electric and the music was outstanding.  I must stress at this point that no, Blankie and I were not on a date.  Firstly he has a gorgeous girlfriend who might have a problem with that, and secondly he’s a bit too weird, even for me.

Had we, however, been in the early throes of dating, it would have been the perfect location to get those butterflies fluttering.  Now I’d say that a gig is a good second date choice, so let’s take a step back and think about that all important date numero uno. Read the rest of this entry »

Election Issue: Who’s getting your backing..?

Real Treehouse, if this sunny weather brings out the child in you and, like us, you feel like rolly-pollying on the grass, licking ice-lollies and climbing trees (gently!), you should spend an afternoon here, where you can walk among the beautiful tree canopies: Kew Gardens

Tree Aid, last month we helped plant trees in London, this time we’d like you to help us plant them in Africa.  There they can make a huge impact on the livelihood of entire communities.  Read more: Tree Aid Read the rest of this entry »

We wish you an eggcellent Easter!

Treehouse Tipples, this Brixton bar may not be the easiest to get to, but it’s worth it. With the days getting longer, what better way to spend the evening than in a cosy cavern, sipping snifters…? Grand Union

Trees for Cities, we clearly love trees, but we also love cities, so we particularly love trees in cities: they break up the concrete jungle, freshen the air and remind us that nature is wonderful. So imagine our delight when we found this charity right here in the big smoke. Read the rest of this entry »

Spring is in the air, let’s put it in your step too!

Victoria and Albert, Buckingham Palace is celebrating one of the greatest love stories ever to have blossomed on Britain’s shores, that of our past monarch.  This exhibition is meant to be inspiring because their passion is almost palpable in the displays: This couple really had a fire in their belly for one another:  Art & Love

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Having met well over 1000 singletons for a lot of tea and way too much cake, we can safely say that we have a good idea of what your average 20/30 something is looking for in their ideal other half.  I thought I’d share some of our insights, seeing as you might find them surprising – we certainly did.

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Hello there Tree-dwellers,

The recent article in the Metro, coupled with the kind praise and endless forwarding from our friends, has resulted in a hive of Tree populating activity.  We ruddy well love it we do!  Thank you, thank you all for spreading the word.

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