The humorous dating advice book that started it all
My humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates, was published in 2011. CLICK HERE for all the delicious details and to get your hands on a copy (or copies!) for yourself, your girlfriends, your sisters or your hen’s night/bachelorette party!
Since then, I’ve been published or featured as a dating expert in numerous reputable media outlets in Australia and the United States, including TV, radio, podcasts, magazines and websites.
Media coverage in a nutshell
Here’s where I’ve been featured as a dating expert:
♥ Women’s Weekly – long-running Australian print magazine (1)
♥ Studio 10 – live Australian TV morning show (1)
♥ Mamamia – Australia’s No. 1 women’s website (1)
♥ Romantically Challenged – Sami Lukis’ podcast (1)
♥ Mature Allure – podcast (1)
♥ A Woman Charged – podcast (1)
♥ Cosmopolitan – print and online magazine (7)
♥ CLEO – print and online magazine (3)
♥ eHarmony – dating site blog (1)
♥ 2GB – radio (1)
♥ Redbook – print magazine (1)
♥ She Knows – women’s website (1)
♥ Bustle – women’s website (1)
♥ Cheat Sheet – online (1)
♥ Femail – women’s website (1)
♥ Daily Mail – online (1)
♥ Sydney Morning Herald – print and online newspaper (1)
Here’s where I’ve been published as a dating expert:
♥ RSVP – dating site blog (8)
♥ Grazia – print magazine (3)
♥ Huffington Post – online (2)
♥ Bravo TV – blog (1)
♥ Mamamia – women’s website (1)
♥ Complete Wedding – wedding website (1)
Studio 10, Monday 3rd June 2019 (see above): While I’ve been quoted in articles and featured as a guest on radio and podcasts, I’m proud to say my first TV appearance was on Studio 10 alongside Australian TV legends Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Angela Bishop, Joe Hildebrand and Sarah Harris. Studio 10 is a live daily morning show (Monday – Friday with Saturday highlights) that’s nationally televised across Australia on Channel 10.
This segment was about how to improve your online dating profile, which included me rewriting the famous Maurice Parker’s dating profile. Maurice was a presenter on the classic Australian 80s TV show, Simon Townsend’s Wonder World.
In the segment, we covered:
> The No. 1 problem with most online dating profiles
> Maurice’s dating profile ‘before and after’ my writing
> Why I included a personal piece of info about Maurice
> My top 3 tips for selecting your dating profile pics
> How the profiles I’ve written have led to marriages
Media coverage in chronological order (most recent first)
♥ Mamamia (4th February 2024): David and I headlined an article about interfaith couples on Australia’s No. 1 women’s website. I strongly encourage my clients to date outside their ‘type’ because you just never know how compatible you might be once you get to know each other. Ask around! I bet a lot of happy couples will tell you their partner wasn’t exactly what they thought they wanted – but they were pleasantly surprised.
♥ Women’s Weekly (November 2023): David and I were featured in this 90-year-old Australian print magazine in an article about the choice not to have kids. I gave the journalist ten reasons we made this decision, but she only focused on a couple of them (which was totally fine – the article wasn’t all about us). We were honoured to be featured in this famous Aussie mag.
♥ Mature Allure (1st September 2023): Hosted by Sherri O, I was delighted to discuss dating in midlife for women who would like to meet their first, second or perhaps third Mr Right. We cover my own online dating success story, common dating mistakes women make and why you should feel optimistic about finding love in midlife and beyond. You might also be interested in Sherri’s fantastic Mature Allure website. Go check it out!
♥ A Woman Charged (27th March 2022): Hosted by Anna Walsh of Happy Mash (which sells high-end women’s pleasure products), this podcast is all about women’s empowerment. My episode is #15 and we discuss dating, relationships and whether or not men are likely to change for the better over time as gender roles evolve.
♥ Romantically Challenged with Sami Lukis (11th July 2021): I can’t even begin to tell you how delighted I was to be a guest on this podcast – one of the best Australian dating and relationship podcasts for women and men over the age of about 35. My episode is Episode 18: Where Are All the Good Men? I answer this extremely common dating question in vivid detail. I bet you’ve never heard a layered, nuanced and definitive answer like this before!
♥ Shake Jump (April 2017): I was featured as a dating expert in this article entitled 14 Most Important Things a Man Wants in a Woman (According to Experts). Scroll down to No. 5 to read my segment.
♥ Bravo TV blog (August 2016): I wrote an article entitled What Exactly Makes a Person Loveable? Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ Eventbrite blog (May 2016): I was quoted in this article about live events going wrong. I’m proud to say I handled it with finesse, but it was one of the most upsetting experiences of my professional life. Scroll down to No. 5 to read my segment.
♥ 2GB Radio (April 2016): I was interviewed on the show Weddings, Parties, Celebrations. We discussed my book, my knack for writing dating profiles and my love life at the time (I’d just met David and he was proudly watching and listening outside the studio). Sadly, the segment is no longer available to listen to online. I wish I’d made a copy of it!
♥ Mrs Tink (April 2016): Popular blogger, Mrs Tink – now known as Miss Monogram, featured my humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates, as a fun and unique Easter giveaway.
♥ Cheat Sheet (October 2015): I was quoted in an article entitled The Best Relationship Advice I Ever Received. Mine was the 8th and final tip but, unfortunately, the article is no longer available.
♥ Bustle (August 2015): I was quoted in an article on the popular women’s website, Bustle, entitled How to Find an Actual Relationship Online. Scroll down to No. 2 for my segment.
♥ Redbook Magazine (January 2015): I was quoted in an article for the American print magazine, Redbook, about ‘dinner and a movie’ dates. America’s most popular star of The Bachelor, Sean Lowe (who just happens to be my favourite Bachelor ever!), was quoted in the same article. I still have a copy of it.
♥ eHarmony blog (December 2014): I was quoted in an article on the eHarmony blog entitled 3 Unforgivable Mistakes a Man Can Make on a First Date. Mine was tip No. 1 but, unfortunately, the article is no longer available.
♥ Ellen DeGeneres (December 2014): My humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates, was selected by Hollywood Swag Bag to be gifted to Ellen DeGeneres for Christmas. Exciting! While in Hollywood, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates was featured on the radio/TV show, Playing it Forward with Christina Fulton. It was the first product mentioned, which was awesome.
♥ The Huffington Post (September 2014): This article I wrote was entitled Can Love Grow? Or Does True Love Begin with an Instant Spark? It was based on a personal experience.
♥ 30 Ever After blog (February 2014): I was interviewed in depth about dating, relationships and my humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates, in this article. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ Cosmopolitan (November 2013): I was quoted throughout an article about summer date ideas. Sadly, it’s no longer available.
♥ Basic Bananas (November 2013): I was delighted to be interviewed by these small business marketing gurus for their popular podcast.
♥ Cox Plate Ladies Luncheon (October 2013): I was invited to entertain the ladies at one of the premier spring racing events in the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup – the Cox Plate Ladies Luncheon. Based on my humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates, I gave the ladies ‘chocolate readings’ and helped them discover which chocolate their man (or ex) is, and how to handle him. It was all light-hearted and fun.
♥ The Huffington Post (November 2013): This article I wrote was entitled The Night I DIDN’T Sleep with a Rock Star.
♥ Complete Wedding (October 2013): For about 18 months, my book was a live hen’s night (bachelorette party) event running in two cities (Sydney and Melbourne). This article I wrote was entitled How to Have an Awesome Hen’s Night on Any Budget. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ Cosmopolitan (October 2013): I was quoted throughout this article about bad dating habits. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ She Knows (September 2013): I was quoted throughout an article about how to feel happy again after a breakup.
♥ Cosmopolitan (September 2013): I was quoted throughout an article about how to feel happy again after a breakup. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ Cosmopolitan (August 2013): I was quoted throughout an article about moves a woman might think are sexy but, surprisingly, men really aren’t that into. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ Cosmopolitan (August 2013): I was quoted throughout an article about flirting – whether you want to meet him, have just met him, are dating him or are in a long-term relationship with him. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ Cosmopolitan (August 2013): I was quoted throughout article about taking sex out of the bedroom and into different parts of the house. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
♥ Cosmopolitan (August 2013): I was quoted throughout an article about ‘save-cations’ – going on a vacation to save your relationship. This particular article is no longer available, but see below for the content.
♥ Daily Mail (August 2013): My advice about save-cations (see above) also appeared on the Daily Mail.
♥ Counsel and Heal (August 2013): My advice about save-cations (see above) also appeared on Counsel & Heal.
♥ CLEO (September & October 2012): I was featured in one of Australia’s top women’s magazines three times in two months. I appeared in an article about women who had a life like a TV character. My character was Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. In another two articles, I was quoted giving sex and relationship advice. I still have physical copies.
♥ RSVP (August 2012 – January 2013): RSVP is Australia’s No. 1 dating site. I wrote eight blog posts for them. Sadly, they’re no longer available. But these were the titles:
Post 1: Lessons from an RSVP Matchmaker
Post 2: 5 Steps to a Successful ‘Dinner and a Movie’ Date
Post 3: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly… A Personal Account of an Online Dating Journey
Post 4: Dating and Dining: A Food and Wine Lover’s Guide to Dating
Post 5: Armed and Dangerous: The Best Dating and Relationship Advice Books
Post 6: Why Solo Travel Rocks: Wild Adventures and Top Tips
Post 7: Your RSVP Profile Checklist: 30 Things You MUST Get Right
Post 8: How to Have a Merry Christmas When You’re Single
♥ The Book in You live event (July 2012): I was invited to speak on a panel of authors for ‘Girls’ Night Out’, held at the Omega Lounge in City Tattersalls, Sydney. The event was called The Book in You.
♥ Grazia (December 2011, May 2012, June 2012): I participated in three debate-style articles where I took an affirmative or negative position. I was assigned affirmative or negative – I didn’t get to choose. The articles are no longer available, but the titles were:
Article 1: Would you let a wealthy stranger fly you away for a date? (No.)
Article 2: Should you ever invite an ex to your wedding? (Yes.)
Article 3: Should you postpone a break-up ’til after Xmas? (No.)
♥ Mamamia (June 2012): This article I wrote was about punching above my weight. It was based on a personal experience.
♥ Femail (January 2012): I was interviewed for this popular women’s website about my humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates. They also ran a competition to win one of ten copies of my book, and over 1000 people entered!
♥ Sydney Morning Herald (January 2012): I was featured in this article about one of my passions outside of dating and relationships, which is mentoring underprivileged teenage girls. I mentored four, who are all women now, and we’re still in touch. I’m particularly close to one of them (who, sadly, isn’t featured in this picture).
♥ Mosman Daily (December 2011): My local paper where I grew up gave my humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates, a nice mention. I still have a physical copy of it.
♥ Village Voice – Inner West Courier (December 2011): The Village Voice supplement in the Inner West Courier ran a similar article to the recent Inner West Courier article (see below). Cute headline: A Book on Men Choc Full of Help. I still have a physical copy of it.
♥ Inner West Courier (November 2011): This newspaper covered the launch of my humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates.
♥ My Book Launch (October 2011): My humorous dating advice book, Men Are Like a Box of Chocolates was launched in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday 19th October 2011 at a chocolate café in Balmain. Here are some of my favourite pics from the event:
The book (next to an I Love Chocolate tin)
The chocolates
The shoes
Me giving my speech and accepting flowers
The verdict is in – women LOVE the book!
