Mixing Out Blog

Author: Mixing Out

  • Sun’s Out, Guns Out – Getting Fit With New Friends

    Physical exercise isn’t exactly the most appealing way to spend your free time. But what if you started doing more active things with new friends, surely that would make it more engaging and attractive.

    Besides finding someone else to help develop your fitness interests (because getting into shape is practically nine tenths motivation) it’s also a very effective way of being healthier, working out all that pent up frustration and energy, and generally feeling a whole lot better about yourself. And above all else, there are some really fun ways to go about it, especially when you’ve got a friend or two involved.

    So, seeing as though Summer is only a few weeks away, here’s some fun and effective ways for friends to get fitter together.

    Keeping things simple: Running

    Most of us at some point have got up at 6am to go for a run before everyone else is awake, just so we can ‘secretively’ get into shape without anybody seeing us try. It’s hardly the most enjoyable way to exercise.

    Much better to grab yourself a running-buddy and go for a jog/run together at a time that conveniences the both of you. Throw a little friendly competitiveness into the mix and you’ll be shedding those pounds in no time.

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    Going a bit more adventurous: Rambling and rock climbing

    For those of you who like to get out a bit more and really feel the benefits, then why not arrange a day trip to any one of the beauty spots in and around your area.

    Rolling hills, fresh air, steep climbs – there’s literally so much to do, you can make it as casual or as adventurous as you like. Many National Trust owned parks also do further activities, such as rock climbing, kayaking and bike rides. So if there’s something you’ve always felt like giving a go, it would be a great opportunity to try it with other people.

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    Or maybe somewhere in between: Gym and fitness classes 

    If you’re stuck for ideas on what to do together, then maybe finding out what’s going on at your nearest gym is a good place to start. From simple fitness and yoga classes to higher-intense activities and workout sessions, there’s always something to cater for your level of fitness.

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  • Best ‘Non-date’ Dates for New Friends

    Let’s get one thing straight, we’re not talking about dating new friends here. This isn’t like when you were twelve and just going out with one other person meant it was ‘a date’. That’s stupid, right? We’ve all grown up and matured since then… Well, most of us have.

    No – we’re talking about ‘non-dates’. Arranging to go out with maybe a new friend for the first time and just having a fun time with some good company. And we’ve got just the perfect settings to get you started:

    Friends drinking coffee

    1. Going for a Coffee

    Sometimes coffee is best shared in the company of just the two of you. It means you can really get to know one another better over a hot drink and maybe a quick bite to eat. You can’t always get know somebody better when you’re trying to shout over blaring music, half intoxicated from the drinks on offer that night… sometimes these things are best saved for the light of day, in a quieter, more relaxed setting.

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    2. Hitting the Beer Garden

    Then again, if coffee’s not your thing (and getting to know someone while your at least a quarter intoxicated is) then maybe hitting a beer garden is your best bet. It’s been getting nice and warm lately, so plenty of pubs and bars are starting to put more tables and chairs outside these days. Get the drinks in!

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    3. Catching a Film

    Yes, we know what you’re thinking. Dim lighting, scary movie… it’s got to be a date, right? No! Going to the cinema with a new friend and seeing what films they’re into – and sharing what films you’re into – is a great way of getting to know one another. Besides, it can sometimes be difficult dragging somebody else to go and watch a movie that you really want to see but they don’t. So grab yourself a film-buddy for those blockbusters coming up!

  • Get More People To Your Venue With Mixing Out

    Want more custom for your venue? Then why not let MixingOut know all about it!

    Sometimes all it takes is the right setting for an event to go off with a bang, and that’s precisely what we’re looking for at MixingOut. So if you have a venue that would make the perfect place for our members to meet up, then why not create a quick profile and let us know all about it!

    We have thousands of members across Derby, Leeds and Wakefield, all looking to get together and go out in their local area. From quiet little cafes to pubs, clubs, and exhilarating activities such as Go Karting, paint-balling and plenty more, our members have many different ideas of fun, but share one thing in common – they’re all searching for a place to go.

    How it works

    All you need to do is create a venue profile on our site. From here, you’ll be able to let our thousands of members know all about your venue, as well as any deals or promotions you have on offer that you think people may enjoy. It’s a great way of inviting large groups of people and new customers to your business, perhaps at off-peak times when things are usually a bit quieter. Just make them an offer they can’t refuse!

    Our members can then choose to take advantage of this by voting to create an event at your place of business, based around the time and date of the promotion you have specified. And if enough of them agree to attend, then they’ll show up ready to enjoy themselves. It’s as simple as that!

    Get more people to your venue now

    If you would like to let our members know about your venue and any promotions you want to offer, then create a quick profile here.

  • Calling All Extroverts – Why MixingOut is The Perfect Place For Meeting New People

    Everybody enjoys making friends and meeting new people – but what if you literally crave it?Extroverts like us need as much to do – and as many people to do them with – as possible. We love to enjoy life to fullest.

    So here are a few quick reasons why MixingOut is perfect for introverts like you.

    Extroverts like to take charge

    While extroverts are big fans of spontaneously going with the flow, we also like to take charge now and again. If we’re planning something, then we really go all out to make sure it gets done to the fullest. That’s why MixingOut is the perfect place for people who like organising get-togethers and arranging exciting things for a group of friends to do!

    Extroverts love people

    Everybody here at MixingOut is a ‘people person’. We love getting together with groups of friends, new and old, catching up over a drink or bite to eat and generally just having a really good time. Sure, there’s plenty of ways you could stay in and have fun on your own – but it’s always more enjoyable with other people around.

    Extroverts crave social settings

    Because we get our energy from other people – and feel it zapped when nobody else is around – us extroverts really get a buzz from social settings. Whether it’s a quiet little get together between a few friends, or a whole bunch of people trying something new and exciting, we need it. Thankfully there are lots of opportunities for people to either suggest their own ideal get together with MixingOut, or join somebody else’s.

    Extroverts love new experiences

    Doing the same old, run-of-the-mill activities day after day might be all right for some – but not for us extroverts. We like to try as many new things as we can think of, and when we can’t think of anymore then we’ll try whatever our friends are doing. MixingOut is all about new experiences, meeting new people, and making your social life as spontaneous as you want it to be.

  • Why March is The Perfect Time to Get Out and Start Making New Friends

    We all enjoy going out and making new friends, and most of us would agree that we should be making more of an effort to do the things we enjoy. But more often than not, finding that motivation can sometimes elude us – especially after a busy week at work and other so-called ‘more important’ commitments.

    But what could be more important than having a good time? After all, that’s what life is all about. So to help get the ball rolling, we’ve drummed up three of the best reasons why now is the perfect time to start doing more with MixingOut. 

    Summer is just around the corner

    Okay, so it might not be ‘beer garden weather’ just yet, but the all signs point to summer creeping around the corner. Yep, the warm weather certainly brings out the best in people. And for those who really know how to enjoy themselves and like to try something new.

    No more excuses for staying in every night, sitting in front of TV and doing nothing. That was okay when it was still cold outside, but it won’t be long before the evenings start getting lighter and warmer for longer – that means more opportunities to meet up, make friends, and have some fun!

    We’re bigger than ever

    No, we’re not talking about that extra weight everybody put on over the winter – although this would be the perfect time to start getting out more and getting into shape for the summer. We meant that MixingOut has more members than before, over 1,000 at the moment, across Leeds, Derby, and Wakefield.

    That’s right, we’ve been super busy behind the scenes continuously growing our community and now more people are getting in touch through MixingOut.

    More events every week

    The MixingOut events board is buzzing right now. With so many new sign ups each week, more and more people are posting suggestions for events, hosting their own meet ups and joining on to other people’s get togethers.

    And that’s what makes MixingOut so exciting right now. If you’ve got a great idea for an event, or maybe something new that you’ve always wanted to try, just put it up on our Wish List and other people can help make it happen. See something your interested in? Then go and tag along! There’s always something for everybody.

     

  • Nerdy Characters From Yesterday Who Would Have No Trouble Finding Friends Today

    Finding friends is easy when you’re cool, but the evolution of what’s cool and what isn’t can be pretty difficult to predict. Pop-culture today champions the nerds, geeks and dweebs in the same way the popular crowd were celebrated not that long ago. Times, they are a changing.

    So we checked out some not-so-cool characters of the past, who we think would absolutely smash it on the social scene today.

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    Data – The Goonies 

    Back in 1985, you wouldn’t admit to having half the contractions and gizmos this guy had stashed beneath his oversized trench coat. It was just about socially acceptable to carry your walkman around in public, but anything more ‘advanced’ was considered “nerdy”, “un-cool”, and, like, “totally lame, dude”.

    Nowadays you can’t even leave the house without taking some form of portable computer with you, and God forbid wherever you’re going doesn’t have Wi-Fi. (Oh, the humanity!) The dramatic rise of smartphones, tablets and internet-on-the-go means more people love their iPhones more than their own mothers. Sure, all Data really ever had was an automated boxing glove hidden up his sleeve and “Slick Shoe” but there’s no doubt he would have reigned supreme today.

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    Samuel “Screech” Powers – Saved By The Bell

    The outlandish hair, the terrible dress sense, his tow-curling social awkwardness… back in the 80’s and early 90’s we were all laughing at Screech – today we’d be laughing with him. Yep, with all his quirks – his favourite breakfast was burnt toast, lumpy porridge and orange juice with plenty of pulp – he’d fit right in at the cool kids’ table. Only this time, he’d have no trouble with the ladies.

    Idiosyncrasy is looked upon a lot more favourable these days. In fact, you’re considered an oddball if you don’t have any out of the ordinary mannerisms (preferably the weirder the better) and singled out for it – which is pretty ironic.

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    Thelma Dinkley – Scooby Doo 

    She may just have been know as “Daphne’s mate” back in the day, but surely Thelma would be the centre of attention at some of today’s trendiest corners of town. With that hipster haircut, retro outfit and quirky glasses, Daphne probably wouldn’t even get a look-in anymore.

    That’s right, the whole “hipster” concept has exploded over recent years – if you want to be cool, you’ve got to listen the bands that nobody’s heard, watch movies that nobody understands, and wear clothes nobody would be seen dead in.

  • MixingOut Update: Meet New Friends in Wakefield

    Here at MixingOut, we like nothing more than to make life more enjoyable for our lovely members, whether that means helping people meet new friends, or simply trying something new and exciting with a group of mates. That’s why we’re continuously growing our community – putting more and more friendly people in touch so they can have a good time together.

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  • Making New Friends at Ladies Night: What We’ve Been Up To Recently

    Lip gloss, new shoes and hair spray was high on the MixingOut agenda recently – all in the name of making new friends – with our first ever Ladies’ Night, and our biggest event yet!

    That’s right, a couple of weekends ago in Leeds it was Ladies’ Night. An entire evening devoted to female frivolities and partying like it was 1968, the year all those women burnt their bras and ran wild in the streets (as if you didn’t already know).

    Okay, so maybe it didn’t get THAT crazy. But one thing is for certain, the girls definitely showed they can party just as hard as the guys.

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    Above: The girls having a blast out and about in Leeds.

    After some careful preening and singing into our hairbrushes to Cindy Lauper, everyone met up at the All One Bar for a few drinks before a girlie night on the tiles. As well as a few familiar faces, their was also quite a few newcomers who’d only just signed up, so you can image how exciting it was for everybody.

    Things kicked off with the usual get-to-know-one-another chat and a few more drinks, besides. A few of the newbies were a little anxious to begin with, but quickly settled into the swing of things and were soon revved up for a good time. That’s one of the best things about MixingOut, everybody is so warm and friendly, and we all know how to enjoy ourselves – which is very important when it comes to making new people feel welcome.

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    Above: Girl’s just wanna fun!

    We carried on to a few more clubs, pairing off to fix our makeup in the toilets, dancing around our handbags and like, when we met up with a few of the fellas on their own MixingOut event at around 1am.

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    Above: Having a bit of a dance with the MixingOut guys

    Yep, it was definitely one of our best events yet. Everybody had a great time, and as you can see from the pictures, quite a few friends were made xx

    Future Event: Ladies That Like to Lunch

    On Saturday 22nd March, MixingOut organiser Andie will be hosting a get together at Qubanas in Wakefield, for light lunch, girl talk and cocktails. So if you fancy popping along, sign up here.

  • Fun and Interesting Words (You Never Knew Existed) to Use When Meeting New People

    Have you ever been in that situation when meeting new people, where a word slips into the conversation, and you have absolutely no idea what it means. Staring vacantly, slowly nodding your head, you just go along with it, hoping you won’t get found out.

    So we thought we’d help switch things around a little, and give you the literary upper hand when it comes to one to one verbal combat (that’s another way of saying conversation).

    Here are just a few of our favourite words you probably never knew existed.

    Kitsukuroi (kin-tsu-ku-roi)

    This lovely little word comes from Japan and literally means: ‘to repair with liquid gold, and to understand that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken’.

    Probably not one to slip into casual conversation, but perfect for those deep, philosophical chats after one too many glasses of wine.

    Esoteric (ess-o-teric) 

    If something is purposely intended to be understood by a specific group of people only, then its esoteric.

    The best example of something being esoteric is a private joke between friends. So hopefully you’ll get the chance to share a few of these at your next MixingOut event.

    Belghard (bel-ghard)

    No, it’s not an otherworldly demon from Lord Of The Rings – although it certainly sounds like one – belghard derives from the Italian bel guardo (lovely look) and means a kind of loving look.

    So the next time you’re at a MixingOut event and you spot somebody giving you a belghard, you’ll know it might be worth your while to go over and say hello. Which leads us nicely on to…

    Duende (doo-en-day)

    Somebody who possesses duende has the ability to attract others through personal magnetism and charm. Which might come in handy when you’re on an event full of pretty ladies or good looking fellas.

    Bumfuzzle (bum-fuzzle)

    Quite simply, to perplex, confuse and fluster. Which is probably the very reaction you’ll receive the next time you tell somebody that you’re ‘completely bumfuzzled’.

  • What Kind of MixingOut Member Are You? A Fun Quiz About Our Friendship Site’s Users

    What kind of MixingOut member are you? All our friendship site users are different and unique… but maybe you fall into one of these categories. Or maybe you’re a little bit of all three!

    Q. What was the main reason you wanted to join MixingOut?

    a) Most of your mates are either married or busy with work. It’s pretty difficult finding somebody who’s free to stagger home with you at 4 in the morning.

    b) You knew it’d be a great way of trying new experiences, things you’ve always wanted to do, but could never find anybody to do them with.

    c) You’re new in town and wanted to get to know the local hotspots, all the best places to meet new people.

    Q. It’s your first ever MO meet up, what do you wear?

    a) You decide to rock up in a leather jacket, jeans tighter than the seal on an ocean liner, and enough product in your hair to last anybody else a fortnight.

    b) Shorts, obviously. Shorts, a T-shirt, and for whatever reason, a towel.

    c) The new outfit you bought especially for the occasion. You already had one fairly similar, but wanted something new to make a good impression.

    Q. It’s midnight on a weekday and your group of MO regulars are…

    a) About to meet up. It’s still early, everybody knows the best clubs don’t open yet. 

    b) Hopefully in bed. You’ve all got a 7 mile run in the morning, and raw eggs and vodka don’t mix!

    c) It’s difficult to say. Some of them didn’t get in because they were too drunk. The rest are somewhere scattered around the dance floor.

    Q. It’s a Saturday afternoon so you and some friends decide to do what?

    a) Check out what’s showing at the cinema. Horror, comedy, action – it’s all good.

    b) Get to know each other a little better down the barrel of a paintball gun.

    c) Grab a couple of drinks and a quick bite to eat at that new bar you’ve heard great things about. From here, it’s anybody’s guess.

    If you answered mainly a’s…

    You’re a social vampire. You love the night time scene, so long as it’s underground and doesn’t close it’s doors until the early hours.

    If you answered mainly b’s…

    You’re up for absolutely anything, especially if you’ve never tried it before. Live fast, die young, leave a good looking corpse.

    If you answered mainly c’s… 

    You like to have fun and you love meeting new people. Friendly, bubbly, and you know how to enjoy yourself.