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.

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 throughout the park.  So if you’ve got a rug, some glasses and a bottle-opener… we reckon this might be the perfect date.  To pick which one you’d like to hear, read here: Holland Park

Conservation, we all know we’re damaging the earth and destroying wild habitats at an alarming rate, but maybe the message isn’t hitting home hard enough.  If, like us, you wept at the film Born Free as a kid, you’ll know how important this foundation is, if not rent the movie and then have a look:  Born Free

Good things that have happened to us:

As you’ve heard, I got hitched!  Baz and I sealed the deal at London Zoo (to support their conservation projects, I practise what I preach!) on 6^th June.  It was an amaaaaazing day, surrounded by our families and friends.  As you know, we’ve had a long road, but our Christian, Muslim, Jewish, English, Iranian, Israeli (!) festivities all blended wonderfully well.  Our honeymoon in Sicily was a fitting finale, full of laughter and ice-cream (‘course I was also a cunning cannoli critique).  Thank you for all your wishes.  Seems that our romantic vibes might have reached all of you, as last month saw more Tree ticklings of fancy than ever before.  We happily seem to have collectively lost many members as they’ve met someone they want to go steady with.  We’re not sure that we’re doing anything differently, love must be in the air.

Dating anecdotes:

This isn’t a Sitting in a Tree pairing, but I wanted to tell you about a couple I met on honeymoon.  While stuffing our faces with pizza one evening, we happened to be sitting next to a very charming, elderly couple.  I can’t do much else, but my foreign lingo skills are decent, so we struck up conversation with them.  Turned out they’d been married for 61 years.  I cannot imagine spending that much of my life with anyone and still being good company, but they were inspirational to watch.  Not only did they still clearly love each other, but they continued to be so kind and considerate and warm together.  They still made conversation about current affairs, he still teased her gently, she still looked at him with awe as he chatted about his years as a doctor.  They were adorable.  I’m sure there were creases, but they’d glaze over them and only see the best in each other and their union.  There’s a whole lot to be said for a positive attitude.

Top dating tip:

Hang out in the beautiful London parks.  While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend approaching semi-naked randoms, we do think in this weather you should make the most of people’s sunny dispositions.  You could invite them to play Frisbee with you, share your sandwiches, start a sing-along with a guitar, offer them your anti-histamine…!  Whatever it is, you have an excuse as grass and trees bring out the community spirit in everyone.

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

Arty Farty, if you fancy a date that’s a little bit different, you could try a pottery cafe.  During the day they’re full of kids, but in the evening they can be pretty romantic.  You can bring a bottle of wine and make each other objects of affection.  We’re thinking Ghost, but perhaps not on date 1: Kissing Cups

Hope HIV, I found this charity a little while ago and it’s actually where our wedding list is going to.  Having got to know them a bit over the months, I can say that they’re wonderful.  They help children and young people born with HIV, who are often orphaned.  They educate them, care for them and inspire them, so that they can lead full, happy, secure lives:  Hope HIV

Good things that have happened to us:
So having had a lovely journalist, Daisy Greenwell, with us for a full day a couple of weeks ago, she wrote up her experience in the ‘paper.  We were very relieved that she seemed to have enjoyed herself – we imagine that fourteen hours in our company can be trying.  Despite the typically moany readers’ responses in Comment is Free (they do sometimes make me laugh, not so much when you’re the target!), we seem to have emerged rather unscathed – phew.  In case you missed it, you can read it here: Guardian

Over the sunniest weekend in the last year, we scheduled our Singles’ Doubles tennis tournament – that’s our good karma for you.  We hired three courts for a couple of hours and played a mixture of games for the serious players and just rallies for us amateurs.  We had such fun trying to improve our strokes, as did some of you from the looks of things!  We rounded up with strawberries and cream and cake, on the grass in the sunshine.  We’re pleased to say that we know of at least one resulting game, set and match!

Dating anecdotes:
Now here’s a nutty one for you.  I had to go and state my intention to marry at the Town Hall some months ago.  For those of you who haven’t been through this process, it’s quite odd.  They interview you about your life.  The registrar was a comedy genius and despite me telling him I only had half an hour, he insisted on keeping me entertained for much longer.  During the process he told me all about his own lovelorn status and how he found it difficult to meet people.  I immediately started thinking of suitable pairings (I can’t help it, we live and breathe this stuff).  Eureka!  I had someone ideal.  I subtly turned the interview in his direction and probed a little deeper to be sure I was right.  I was pretty certain.  So I decided to ask him on the spot whether he was up for a blind date.  Being an amiable chap, he agreed.  This was back at the beginning of April and when I popped back to get the paperwork done last Wednesday he told me that things with Julie were still going very well.  He was beaming from ear to ear.  The moral of the story is that you never know when Cupid might get you!  Being someone who deals with engaged couples and new parents all the time, I’m sure John didn’t expect to meet someone through work!

Romantic rendezvous:
We’re going to give you a little break on events for a while, since we’re approaching silly season with holidays booked etc.  So instead, we’re planning on having a summer soiree towards the end of August or beginning of September.  We’ll keep you posted, but if you have any ideas of your own do tell us, please.  We’d really like to hold an event that you help us plan somehow!

Top dating tip:
Go and watch the upcoming football matches.  Honestly.  If you’re a girl, there are tons of guys in the pubs, so it’s rich pickings, plus they’ll like you for getting stuck in.  If you’re a boy, adrenalin has a big impact on making people feel loved up!  So meeting anyone who’s excited about the action on the pitch will improve your chances of getting a date with them; their love hormones will be heightened.  That’s a medical fact that is.  Anyway, it’s so exciting, we don’t think you need an excuse to watch the World Cup!

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

Sweet Tooth, we wanted to tell you about a little band we found who not only make dreamy, original music, they’re also carrying out the cutest competition we’ve come across in ages.  We’d be very proud if our members got involved.  Click here to hear their tunes and to spread the love with them: Sweet Tooth

TheGreatDateGuide, it’s very difficult to find unique date suggestions in saturated cyberspace, so we were tickled pink when we found this genius idea.  Having met the founder, marvellous Miss Mary, we’re even happier to share the wealth with you about this one.  She and her idea are inspirational.  Next time you’re looking for suggestions of what to do, go here:  GreatDateGuide

Good things that have happened to us:

There have been numerous nuptials since the Treehouse started, but those celebrated this month were particularly precious.  We witnessed the wonderful wedding of Amelie and Mark.  We’d have loved to show you a photo, but they’re still on their happy honeymoon – hurray!  They are a truly gorgeous couple, both inside and out.  Thank you for sharing your special day with us.  We had an absolute blast.  Warmest congratulations to you Mr & Mrs Jackson!

We were lucky enough to have a double spread article in The Big Issue.  Of course, you buy it anyway, but in case you’ve missed it, see if you can find April 26^th’s pink Election Issue.  Out now until Monday!

One of our members broke a marathon world record, for completing in 3.5 hours, despite being dressed as a tiger!  We would never attempt the run, let alone in a huge, hot, furry outfit, so we salute you, Kevin!

We also had our Boys’ and Girls’ Night In.  We hope you awesome attendees learnt as much as we did.  The results of our questionnaires made riveting reading.  We’re going to follow up with the results soon.  Anyone who hasn’t yet taken part online can request a copy.  Especially big thanks to Jen, Hugh and Jide for being the most perfect panel of pros.  Your insights were hugely helpful and ever so entertaining too.

Dating anecdotes:

Last Saturday, we took time out from our hectic schedule to help Marisa (who I happen to have introduced to her boyfriend of five years, Raph) hand out flyers for her fabulous new business Hubbub.  As we struck the streets of Stoke Newington (telling residents how they can now buy their favourite foods from local independent shops, online, and get them all delivered to their door) we were so chuffed to see a beautifully smiley couple strolling towards us, hand in hand: John and Lucy, who we’d set up some months before!  Funnily enough, they weren’t the only SiaT couple I saw then, I also bumped into one half of another Tree pairing, Sarah.  In fact, I encountered no less than nine separate buddies that day, leaving the girl flyering with me aghast “Do you know everyone in London?!”. I don’t, but I guess you pay us for our connections, good to see we’ve got them!  Thank you to J & L who followed up the street-meet with the most delicious box of Hummingbird Cupcakes, to reaffirm their appreciation.  It was absolutely our pleasure!  We couldn’t be happier for you.

Romantic rendezvous:

Anyone for tennis..?  Our buddy, Pete, came up with an ingenious plan: Singles Doubles.  We’re going to hire out 3/4 courts, to be shared between anyone who would like to play, one weekend afternoon (likely to be 22^nd May).  Strawberries and cream too.  Watch this space for details.

Top dating tip:

Keep up with current affairs, especially now.  We’re getting excited about the election; anything could happen.  We’re up for some debate, if you are.  Wonder who you think we’re backing? We reckon a lot of table talk will be about politics this month.  If you’re still unsure which way to vote, try this: Vote Match

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.

Pillow fight, need we say more? Londoners are meeting up to join a simultaneous, worldwide battle of the bumps. Clearly it’s going to be loads of fun anyway, but you can feel extra happy as it raises money for Haiti.  It’s on Saturday 3rd April, 3.00pm, Trafalgar Square. Bring a pillow and see if you can spot us. We’re ready!

Ribbon & Roses, these goodies might be more up the girls’ Trees, but this gorgeous site is also great for presents. ‘Course we especially adore the leaf earrings, tree necklaces and lovebird lockets! Ribbon & Roses

Good things that have happened to us:

Apparently we need to schmooze more, so we went to our very first networking thing. Fortunately this wasn’t the corporate c*ck-fest that some of these events can be, it was much cosier. Organised by WedgeCard, which supports independent businesses and founded by John Bird, creator of The Big Issue, it’s an idea that’s after our own heart. So while we chatted to slebs with a social conscience, lamenting the collapse of the community, we munched on free food and decided hobnobbing ain’t half bad! Check out whether this marvellous little scheme is in your local area and get involved: Wedgies

Our Cannoli and Cocktails evening was a Sicilian sensation! Lovely local, Lisa, was unable to take the class – last minute emergency in Palermo, no joke. Which meant that an alternative had to be rustled up. Fortunately for us we had Faye, our foody friend. She judged the efforts of the chefs and tasted their wares. “Mamma Mia, fantastico”, she said! Grazie for coming. Try Lisa’s own goodies at the site: Le Dolci

Dating anecdotes:

Not exactly a dating anecdote, but funny. The other day on my way back from an interview, I decided to run into the supermarket to get a snack. While there I grabbed a handful of free Wasabi peas to calm my food rage. Took too many and started to choke. A knight in ripped jeans came over and offered me some of his water. We chatted a bit, as he was a friendly Northerner. I then couldn’t shake him; he kept striking up conversation in the aisles. He looked vaguely familiar, so I wondered if he was an old friend of my brother’s who I wasn’t recognising. As I walked back to the office, he joined me for the stroll. Not concerned about dangers, this is 3pm in Kensington, he started to tell me about his struggle to find love, so I told him it was his lucky day: “I am Cupid!”. He loved the sound of SiaT and said he’d definitely have signed up, if it weren’t for his “situation”. Intrigued, I dug a little and soon discovered that I was only talking to a member of Take That! Oops, slightly embarrassing. Can’t reveal his name in case I get in trouble, but suffice it to say when I Googled afterwards, I realised I’d been talking to the fit one. Really nice guy too, bit surprisingly perhaps. So sorry ladies, wish he could join us!

Romantic rendezvous:

We are trying to break a world record and we need your help! We need the most people ever to kiss in a tree at the same time. Sounds fun, eh? So we’re going to pick a date in the next few weeks to invite you to smooch under the St James’s Indian Bean Tree at Piccadilly at 6pm. We need as many people as possible, folks! Bring your friends, your colleagues, grannies. We’ll be raising money for Trees for Cities at the same time. Be prepared to come along, we’re going to drag you there. Breath mints at the ready!

Top dating tip:

Smile! With our new online site we can see how often different profiles are clicked on – unbelievably fascinating for three nosy wenches. We don’t know who’s looking at what, just which images are the most popular. Anyway, it would seem that by a million miles the most interesting photos are ones with big grins, which must reflect real life. If you look happy, people want to get their share of your flair. So show off your pearly whites, gang!

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

Memorable dates?, several of you won a free trip to Paris through a competition we mentioned, so try your luck again.  You can win a free dinner for two at the Firehouse, a fancy foody favourite in South Kensington.  Just tell them about your most memorable date, it doesn’t have to be one through SIAT…!  
Memorable Magic

Help Chile, yet another natural disaster so soon.  Also one close to our hearts, as I spent some months living with a family and working at a charity here.  Chileans are kind, warm and generous.  My local “relatives” say the community is destroyed.  You could help one of our favourite charities out there..?: Doctors Without Borders

Good things that have happened to us:

We launched!  Our new online site is filling up finely.  We still need all the help we can get, so thank you for your continued support.  It’s free for you brilliant bespoke members, just sign up.  If you get stuck then tell us and we’ll sort out your payment problems.  As a result, we were in The Metro (again!) and talked about on Absolute Radio.  Woo hoo!  In case any of you are alarmed that our matchmaking will diminish, it won’t.  In fact, we’re on it more than ever. That, we promise you.  If you’ve somehow missed it: Sitting in a NEW tree

Our scavenger hunt through London on Valentine’s Day was SUCH fun.  Thank you so much to the participants who made our day (and evening) fabulous.  How we laughed!  Competition was tight and we were pretty amazed by the spirited response to the challenges.  The posh prize (a bundle of my home-made cookies (poor things) and a fancy bottle of wine) went to the winners by a hair: Pete, Madeleine, Rob, Charlie and Mark.  Well done!

Dating anecdotes:

Last week we said goodbye to one of our favourite lovebirds, Simon.  He joined us last year.  He had everything going for him: funny, engaging, clever, good-looking, kind.  But he didn’t know it.  Trish came back from her interview all-a-fluster!  Nicky and I met him at an event soon after and adored him too.  We introduced him to a couple of ladies he dated for a good while and a few who turned into chums.  He’s jumped down from the Tree, as he’s met someone special of his own accord.  He left us with some lovely words: “If anything, you guys have had a massive impact on my last eight months or more. I had never dated before really, and you would probably only have to ask Rachel (date 1) just how nervous I was. Over these months, I’ve got my confidence back, and it’s given me some ‘cojones’ to get out and speak to girls again.  There’s a good chance I wouldn’t have been on Friday’s date if it wasn’t for how you guys had changed my life. I may never have even asked if she wanted to meet up…”  We couldn’t be happier.  People do say membership acts as a catalyst to love.  Go on, Si!

Romantic rendezvous:

We’re planning an evening of chilly willies!  Yes.  We’d like to teach you how to make cannoli (Sicilian pastries, which are traditionally thought of as symbols of fertility!), while you sup refreshing wine or cocktails.  We’ll send you the full details soon, but it’s likely to be very central, starting at 6.30/7pm, costing £20 for the lesson, a drink and entry to a gorgeous bar.  The spaces will be limited, so we recommend speedy responses.

Top dating tip:

Make sure that you’re putting yourself in the right situation to meet someone.  Often members say to us that they struggle to meet new people, as much of their time is spent around old, faithful friends.  We would highly recommend joining clubs which cultivate conversation.  You could take a buddy, but we tend to think it’s better to brave it alone, that way you’re encouraged to chat.  Try out book clubs/art classes/drama workshops. Just do it*!

*We do not endorse wearing the wearing of Nike.  At all.  Thanks.

Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge: Want a cheap way to get in shape after the holiday indulgence? Trisha´s a big fan, Nicky and I are yet to be convinced, but that´s because we find the farting so funny. We´d love to hear if you sign up to this and manage to complete it. You might also meet someone bendy!

Visible Invisible: You sometimes catch us three deriding modern art, like a bunch of grannies what on earth is that meant to mean?! etc. However this exhibition is not up its own bottom, the pieces are actually beautiful. Ignore the vague, superfluous descriptions. It also happens to be free.

The Wire: We´ve been praising this for some years now, but we worry that the word might not have spread completely. The best thing we´ve seen on t telly for ages. It´s half price at the moment. Indeed. But be warned, it is nigh on impossible to watch just one episode, so settle in for the session.

Operation Smile: One of the biggest dating tips we give you is that you should smile often. We´re all naturally drawn to sunny faces. For some kids it´s hard to do that, so there is a great charity that helps children born with cleft palates. Read about this essential work, you might also want to get involved.

Good things that have happened to us:

It was hugely exciting to see Andrew, Claire and Helen at Crisis at Christmas. By chance they were placed at my volunteer centre on the same days as me. They all came on their own, but left with many new friendships formed. They seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did. Such an interesting experience, with fascinating folks. It was also pretty scary realising how close we all are to finding ourselves potentially homeless, some of the guests´ stories were very alarming. Well done you Treehuggers for getting stuck in!

Bad things that have happened to us:

Unusually we thought we´d mention something nasty too, just in case it came to your notice. Marie Claire wrote a feature about elite dating, where they covered agencies that charge between £6000 and £40000 to essentially do the same job that we do. The journalist knew a SIAT member who had sadly misled her. The reports were not only inaccurate, but also defamatory. Hmpf. We´re pretty peeved, but not all that surprised, as we had already asked this member to leave, on amicable terms. We had continually met her wish list, but short of getting dear Clooney himself, we knew she´d never be happy. We´ve received a written apology from the editor, upon proof that their report contained several inaccuracies. Pesky hacks!

Dating anecdotes:

This is not a Treehouse story, but it´s one that I wanted to share anyway. This Christmas I saw my Auntie and Uncle who have been happily married for fifty years. FIFTY years, man! I asked my Aunt the secret to their success, she said: Tenacity. It´s not romantic to view it that way, but it´s true. I could have given up many times on the way, but we´ve made it work. You´ve got to look for the good in your partner, why pick faults? My Uncle said something along similar lines: Sometimes it´s better to be nice than right. Of the relationships I´ve seen, SIAT and otherwise, I think these words ring true. When you´re with the proper person you want to make it work. I´ve since heeded this advice and am being much nicer to my fiance now!

Top dating tip:

It might already be one of your new year´s resolutions, but we´re here to ram it home (!), try not to get dirty drunk on dates. Tipsy is fine, it can even be great fun, but stumbling is not the way forward. Better all round to chat coherently and confidently, without the need to neck a bottle or two or three. Take it from three (almost) teetotallers: a life without hangovers can be heartily harmonious and happily healthy.

Us x

St Martin in the Field Carols, if you´re still feeling a bit bah humbug about the twinkly lights and Santa´s grottos, this is one place that we guarantee will get you in the mood. Whatever your faith (or lack thereof), there´s something marvellously magical about sharing some songs by candlelight.

The Great Christmas Pudding Race is another (very different) example of Brits at their best. Lots of folks dressed up ridiculously, putting dignity aside to laugh at themselves and to give something back. You can either take part with your own team or go and cheer them in the crowd at Covent Garden.

Crisis at Christmas, if you´re going to be in London over the festive season and you feel like getting an extra glow, you can volunteer to work at a homeless shelter. No specialist skills are required, just enthusiasm. You could catch me and my family at the Hammersmith one, if you´re game.

New Year´s, it can be a minefield in London, we know, we´ve sung Auld Lang Syne in many a place we´d rather not remember. So we´ve scoured the net for fun options for you and the best one we came up with was this, because it doesn´t take itself too seriously (at all!) and it´s also reasonably priced.

Good things that have happened to us:

As a result of my engagement, we have gone wedding bonkers Nicky and Trish getting into it perhaps even more than me, to be honest. We´re all becoming quite the experts, so we reckon we might start a side-kick business giving people advice on nuptials. So come on, get hitched and we´ll share all sorts of treasures that we´ve found. We know we can help with getting you to that commitment point, we´re on it, we promise!

We went to the naming ceremony of the second Tree-house baby, which was lovely. What a cute little lady Anoushka is too. Her Ma and Pa met in our early days, some two and a half years ago. Still going so strong.

We´ve been working very hard on the new online version of Sitting in a Tree. All will be unwrapped soon. We hope you like it as much as we do. We´re not going to lose anything of what we do, we´re just branching out.

Dating anecdotes:

Rather than tell you a specific story, we thought we´d let you know that love most certainly has been in the air this month. Of all the dates we´ve organised, at the very least one in four of our recent ones have led to relationships of several smoochy follow up rendez-vous (so far). We´ve been constantly kept up to date (thank you) hearing how all the couples are getting on, which has had us happily shining our halos. We´ll keep you posted, but we´ve got a pretty strong hunch that some of these pairings are going a long, long way.

Top dating tip:

Don´t take yourself or dating too seriously. Sometimes we get feedback that members feel a little bit like they´ve been interrogated on the evening out. Getting to know each other is wonderful, we want you to do that, but remember that you´re not grilling this person for a predetermined role, you´re there to have fun. If romance blossoms, all the better, but it´s more likely to grow from gentle banter than the third degree.

Most importantly, this month, we want you to grab every mistletoe moment and make it memorable.

Kissss!

Us x

Treehouses, as you know, we love them. They make us nostalgic for the mischievous, carefree days of childhood. Sadly London, currently, doesn´t have any on the market or we´d definitely move in. But if, like us, you enjoy escaping on more original holidays, you might like to check out this inspiring site.

Treehouses Book, in case (again, like us!) you can´t afford to go away and thus want to live vicariously, this book is mesmerising. We challenge you not to be charmed after you´ve turned these (recycled) pages. The images are breath-taking and the top tips on green living are soul stirring stuff. Take a peak here.

The Woodland Trust is a very valuable organisation. With all of us having a pretty negative impact on global warming, we thought we should all plant a few trees together. There are forests throughout the UK that would love a few more saplings, to help all of us and our off-spring breathe more easily. Help Plant a Tree.

Tree Lovers´ Walks, perfect for wrapping up in your hat, scarf and gloves. The Royal Parks are actively embracing autumn´s falling leaves. Whether it be the colours or the crunch that you relish, perhaps both, we wanted to share one of our favourite Sunday afternoon activities with you all, get the map. Get motivated here.

Good things that have happened to us:

Two of our members actually won the Eurostar competition we sent you, so they went to Paris for free. They had 5 Star treatment the whole way, fancy booze and delicious food flowed forth; they didn´t pay a penny and met fifty wonderful singletons. We´ve heard that la ville d´amour certainly had some ooh la las.

Trish appeared in the Rose Theatre´s production of the Scottish play. She played multiple parts, but we particularly enjoyed her witch. As did the critics. She´s also about to star in a panto. Bright lights ahoy…

Nicky and I managed to attend an engagement do and two weddings in one weekend. Impressive, even for Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. I calculated the other day, I´ve been to twenty-six weddings within the last three years. Anyone would think I´d tire of cake and cheesy music, but the enthusiasm is still there.

Dating anecdotes:

A strange one for you: just so you know, your dates can lead to all sorts of weird and wonderful things. Among the many stories of blossoming buddies, about eight months ago we set up Mark and Laura. They got on like a house on fire, but didn´t feel the embers where it counted. They became firm friends though, as many members do. Being solemnly committed greenies, both working in environmental SOS fields, they´ve since collaborated on a climate change documentary that is going to be hitting the circuit soon and Laura also got Mark´s best friend a job within her interesting company. They´re branching out perfectly.

Top dating tip:

I was reminded of one of my favourite Italian phrases recently: fuoco nelle vene (fire in the veins). It´s used to describe people who fully embrace life. They seize every moment. It´s such an attractive quality.

Us x

We are what we do is totally up our street. Without wishing to sound too hippy, we´re with Gandhi on the change you want to see in the world thing. If everybody started thinking: if I don´t do anything, I can´t make a difference rather than what difference can one person make? we´d all be a bit happier and the world would truly be a better place. Tell us which of all the tips you pick to do.

Stuff your doodles is amazing, partly because it´s so nuts, but also because it´s such a good idea. If, like us, everyone around you seems to be having kids and you want to give the nipper something original, instead of another teddy bear, check this site out. We love the concept so much, we might just make some for the office. If you do it, please send us photos, or even better, make us one too!

Tiny Tickers speaking of cute kiddies… This charity is lovely. They try to diagnose heart problems in unborn babies, so that they can help resolve them and be better prepared to assist the tots when they arrive into the world. About 1 in 145 children suffer in this way, so they need support.

Good things that have happened to us:

We had a packed party at Boujis, learning to make cocktails with an award-winning mixologist. Not being big swiggers, us three couldn´t keep up, but luckily our members took one for the team, you definitely shook and stirred! Reckon there could be something in it if some of you decided to give up the day-job.

So we´re going to appear in a BlackBerry ad from this month. Gulp. We haven´t seen the finished product, but they´ve given us this clip as a teaser. The shame. In the real film we all talk more and hopefully we seem less goony, but we thought you might want a sneaky peak, as it´s all about you hoo: BlackBerry Clip

Dating anecdotes:

So we have a really cute one this month. Take one lovely lady, who´s unlucky in love. Cynicism has started to kick in. We assure her that we have the solution, so she agrees to give it one last go. Add to this, one funny man, who´s not sure about blind-dating. We persuade him we´re picky. Mix them together and… The night of the date, I get a text at midnight saying I just had a fantastic evening with Ben. We laughed all night. Thank you SO much! Brilliant. But part of us always panics when we get such effusive praise, what if it´s not reciprocated?! So imagine our delight when we woke up to the following email from Ben: I had a wonderful evening with Sara, absolutely brilliant. We really, really got on, there was a proper click, and I don’t think I got that feeling with blinkered vision, we both admitted it on the night. In fact, we were already arranging when to meet up again, not if. Got Date 2 planned for Friday. I woke up this morning with a big smile (and a fuzzy head). She´s gorgeous. That Friday´s been and gone and so have a few more dates. So far, so good. We nearly didn´t introduce them, as they might not have picked each other on paper, but we had a sneaky suspicion it´d work and decided to ignore what they both thought they wanted.

Top dating tip:

Don´t take yourself too seriously. You´re all highly accomplished, successful folks, but when you escape the office, really leave work behind you. Dates are not job interviews and they shouldn´t feel anything like it. Course there´s going to be questions, but have fun with them, indulge tangents, tell stories and belly laugh.

Next planned party:

Since we´ve been inviting you to lots of unhealthy things recently, we thought we´d ask you to join us for a spot of sport..? British Military Fitness have asked us to organise a park sesh with them. We´ll send you details as soon as we have them. Knowing what a zealous bunch you are, we think it´s going to be popular.