New In Town

A Swipe in the Right Direction

Dating app tips for those seeking genuine connections.

Here are some dating app pointers from a couple of relationship experts, Stanford-educated psychiatrist and author of Speaking in Thumbs: A Psychiatrist Decodes Your Relationship Texts So You Don't Have To, Mimi Winsberg, M.D., and Dawoon Kang, Co-founder and Chief Dating Officer at Coffee Meets Bagel, to set you up for your best dating yet.

Boundaries, Safety, and Consent Establishing boundaries early on will help you get the most out of your connection. Doing so allows whoever you're dating to know what you're comfortable with and how you want to be treated. If the other person is on the same page as you, it's a win-win! Safety and consent should always be on your mind. "Trust your instincts. When meeting someone for the first time, meet in public and have means to exit if you need to. That can just mean carrying a phone. Be mindful of odd requests you may receive over text on an app, and there is certainly no need to share personal information if you are not comfortable doing so before meeting someone in person," Winsberg says.

Be Authentic and Practice Self-Care As cliche as it sounds — be yourself and have fun! Allow yourself to showcase your personality through fun selfies and your bio. It will help others get a glimpse into your world. Staying true to yourself will also help you connect with like-minded people with similar interests or hobbies. The reality is dating is oh-so-slow. Kang says, "everyone's timelines are different. If you're feeling a little burnt out from chatting on the app but aren't quite sure you're ready to meet in person, try a phone call or FaceTime." Try pausing your profile every once in a while to practice self-care. Embrace authenticity, unpredictability, vulnerability, and patience.

Winsberg's Dating App Do’s and Don’ts • Do put some time into writing your profile, share things about yourself that reveal what you like, and give the other person some fodder for questions. • Don’t put photos of many other people or landscapes in your profile. People want to see pictures of you. • Do use the text exchange as a way to interview people without coming across as an interviewer. • Women, do keep your texts short (men don't process long texts well.) • Men, do keep your compliments metaphoric rather than literal. Women would rather hear something more creative than, "You're hot!" • Do go in with an open mind, and try to keep expectations low. • Do bring your best-self into the equation, and take some time to reflect on what you are really looking for.

NEW

IN TOWN

Bibimbap, Coffee & More

Openings around Marin and the North Bay.

SANkorean Cafe

Mill Valley resident Monica Chang — who runs a Korean food manufacturing business — launched a small café in late November. Bibimbap, a rice dish topped sautéed vegetables and beef, and kimbap, a dish akin to sushi, are already hugely popular. 2165 Francisco Blvd E, Unit C, San Rafael; 415.306.7093; sankorean.com Pink Owl Cafe

Saandra Bowlus and Joe Carlo opened their second San Rafael location in late 2022. Their son and master roaster, Robert Carlo, works with farmers to find the best coffees from around the world and roasts them locally. 1100 4th St, San Rafael; 415.578.2558; pinkowlcoffee.com

— PAULA PHOMMOUNIVONG

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Passion Flowers

Renato Gouveia and Marcelo Camillo offer custom flower arrangements for homes, businesses as well as weddings and corporate events. 1 East Blithedale, Mill Valley; 415.888.2624; passionflowersmarin.com

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The High Life

Serums, soaks and other lust-worthy items.

BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA

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1Prismatic Plants Melt Tension Serum, $68 This powerful serum offers deep and long-lasting, pain and inflammation relief, and absorbs quickly — no oily residue! Available online. prismaticplants.com

2High on Design book, $60 Who doesn’t love an eye-catching coffee table book? Check out the best brands, most stylish dispensaries and the most creative entrepreneurs displayed beautifully inside. Available online. us.gestalten.com

3Auntie Aloha Pakalolo POG gummies, $20 With a calming blend of three classic Hawaiian flavors (passionfruit, orange and guava), these gummies are a shortcut to chill island vibes. Available for pick up or delivery via Sunset Pipeline in San Francisco. sunsetpipeline.com

4Old Pal Baked at Home infused brownie mix, $31 Go old school with this DIY kit. Each batch is dosed with 100mg of THC and makes 20 brownies — just add eggs, butter, bake and enjoy. Available for delivery via Eaze. eaze.com

DID YOU KNOW?

In late 2021, scientists at the University of Sydney found that three rare cannabinoids reduce seizures in mice. They’re using the information to develop a better cannabis-based treatment for Dravet syndrome, 5 Porcelain pipe, $30 This handmade and handan intractable childhood epilepsy. painted — and hand-sized! — oval pipe will elevate your next smoke session. Available for delivery via ONA.life. ona.life

6ALT THC beverage enhancer, starting at $6 Portable, discreet and easy to measure, mix these into any beverage for a fast-acting high. Available for pick up at Liberty Cannabis in Pacific Heights. libertycannabis.com

7Kush Queen Black Magic CBD bath bomb, $14 A blend of lavender, chamomile and frankincense come together to relieve stress while giving your immune system the healthy boost it needs. Available for delivery via Nice Guys Delivery. niceguysdelivery.com

ROLE REVERSAL In 1913, California became the first state to outlaw the hemp plant, changing its Poison Act to include cannabis. In 1996, however, California state voters led the way to legalization with Proposition 215, becoming the first state to allow the use of medical cannabis.

THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG. IN MY GORGEOUS KITCHEN? REALLY?!

Est. 1987