1 Tuesday
Love Wars—Episode 4: A New Month, A New Hope. Finding time to get a date when you’re stuck in the office can be tough, but you can still put the time to good use. Practice your conversation skills around the water-cooler (it’s probably the one place where “do you come here often?” might raise a smile), and polish your Facebook profile, so that anyone you meet between now and V Day doesn’t run a mile. Delete that photo of you throwing up. And the one of you kissing another girl. (Ladies, ignore that last tip.)
2 Wednesday
Tonight is ladies’ night all across town, and if a better formula for guaranteed action has been invented we’ve yet to come across it. Today of all days, it’s important not to skip breakfast, to eat a healthy lunch and at least have a snack before you leave the office: Tonight, you must be less drunk than the person you’re talking to. If you’re a guy, that’s not going to be hard, given the deals ladies enjoy.
Over at Attica (#01-03 Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Rd., 6333-9973) a complimentary glass of rosé Champagne awaits as part of their “Guilty Desires” night. Meanwhile, Stereolab (G/F Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Blvd., 6337-0800) is “Souled Out,” with girls on freeflow premium housepours and Champagne all night long, and guys lapping at their heels for just $28. At Zirca’s “Lollipop” (3C The Cannery, River Valley Rd., 6235-2292), you can reminisce over your favorite ‘80s songs, with free entry for the ladies and five complimentary drinks.
Just try to resist the temptation to take your newfound partner home tonight. Ask them for their number, suggest a date in just over a week’s time, then walk away. Do not look back.
3 Thursday
Time to smarten up. Use your lunch-hour wisely. But don’t overdo it; it’s a date you’re aiming for, not a wedding. Both Ted Baker (#01-132/134 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 63769498) and Dresscode (#01-07 The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd., 67324606) have a great range of casual, yet stylish menswear. For the ladies, Morgan de Toi (#02-25/27 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd., 6737-9475) and Surrender (#02-31 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6733-2130) will bring a certain je ne sais quoi (mais voulez vous couchez avec moi ce soir?) to your look. Make your purchases now, so that if they need alterations or exchanging you can get it done on time. Nothing says last-minute purchase quite like a shirt or skirt that’s too tight.
4 Friday
Ten days, friends. Ten days is all you’ve got. But just think what can happen in 10 days. The world was made in less. You’re going to be tempted to join the crew for drinks after work tonight. Politely decline—you have more important things to do. At 7pm you’re taking a beginner’s salsa class for only $20 per session at Jitterbugs (#B1-08 The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd., 6887-0383). It’s sexy, sensual and best of all it requires a partner. Who knows who you might meet? And it’s yet another string to your conversational bow; potentially even something you can do after the big dinner winds down. Best of all, at 9pm tonight you can join Jitterbug’s Latin Fiesta—a fun social gathering that’s completely free if you’ve taken a class on the day.
5 Saturday
You haven’t been to the gym once, have you? Don’t panic. Heed the words of Tim Ferriss, whose new book The 4 Hour Body ($32 from Kinokuniya, #03-09/10/15 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6737-5021) distills all kinds of crazy science to prove that long workouts and mammoth training regimes are a waste of time. Given that nine days from now you may find yourself in a situation that requires removing your clothes, what to do if you don’t want the other party to run screaming from the room? Myotatic crunches, that’s what. Stop trying to be Patrick Bateman with his 1,000 sit-ups a night, and use this technique to build those abs by working their full range of motion. Ferriss reckons he could see a difference in just three weeks. But trust us, we’ve tried them and you’ll feel a difference after just one session. And if you feel good, you’re halfway to looking great. Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/myotatic.
6 Sunday
Treat yourself to a lie-in. You deserve it. But once you’re awake, don’t just lie there with one hand idly between your legs; the lawn needs mowing. Pink Parlour (#03-19 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6100-8266) offers both Brazilian ($52) and Boyzilian ($73) waxing services. Best not to leave it until next weekend—no-one likes looking at chickens that have just been plucked.
Take your mind off of what just happened by joining the Chinese New Year Pubbing Night put on by Champagne JSG (www.champagnejsg.com). It costs $65, but it’s for singles only, making it money well spent.
7 Monday
Most people take the first night of the week off. Not you. You’re off to Nutri-Style (20 Ridley Park, 6887-5220) for some professional image consultation. A one-off private session lasts one and a half hours and costs $250. You’ll learn everything you need to know about style, from grooming and tailoring to body language and etiquette. The important thing is that you still have seven days to practice. This time next week you’ll be able to charm the pants off someone just by looking straight at them (just put down the binoculars first).
NEXT: February 8-14 / BACK
