How to Make Your Summer Romance Last Through Your New Year's Kiss.

How to Make Your Summer Romance

Most relationship experts agree that the time you’re most likely to

get dumped is around the three-month mark - that’s about the time

the new-person thrill starts to wear off. (Sort of like that new car

smell, or the elastic on a tube top.) That means, if your

relationship started hot and heavy with the long days of summer,

you’ve got to put a plan into action quick if you want to keep

things steamy through the cold winter ahead. Below are some

tips to turn your summer fling into the real thing:

Keep your summer fling red hot.

Want to crank up the intensity level on your romance?

Wear something red when you go on a date. Color experts

say red is the most stimulating of al the colors. Not only

will wearing red will rev up your date’s interest and arousal

level, it’s a rousing color that provokes a lot (a whole lot)

of attention. Wear red, and every eye in the room will be

on you. And nothing makes a guy sit up and pay attention

like a whole bunch of other guys sitting up and paying attention.

A hot ticket.

Ease your relationship into the fall by making solid plans

for October for a football game, a concert, or any event

where you’ll have to buy tickets in advance. (Events

including sports, music or fried stuff on a stick are usually

a safe bet...) The bonus here - you’ll make the plans in

summer while you’re still a couple, and having concrete

(and pre-paid) plans in the near future will keep the

relationship from just drifting away like an abandoned

water ski.

Sweet romance.

Studies show that men associate the scents of vanilla

and cinnamon with love, so fortify your position in

his mind by wearing a perfume with a hint of these

scents. Other options, burn cinnamon or vanilla-scented

candles when you’re together, or toss some ready-to-bake

cinnamon rolls in the oven for a cozy Sunday brunch.

Cinnamon is the perfect scent to bring a summer romance

into the fall because it’s so prevalent in autumn -- think

spiced apples and pumpkin pie. Be his cinnamon girl (or

vanilla vixen) now, and by Thanksgiving, he won’t be

able to get you off his mind.

Don't turn up the heat on your summer flame.

Don't panic just because the summer is ending, and start

putting the pressure on your guy for a commitment. Part

of the appeal of a summer relationship is the relaxed attitude,

so if you start turning up the heat the minute autumn hits,

the weather won’t be the only thing that chills. The best

strategy is to enjoy what you have now without focusing

too much on the future. Think of your summer romance

like you would a vacation -- you’re not going to enjoy

basking on the beach marinating your liver in Mai Tais

if your entire focus is on getting back to work. The same

is true of summer flings. Relax, and savor every single

moment. If you’re lucky you’ll get an extended love

vacation.

Look for an Indian Summer.

Will the summer thrill burn strong after Labor Day? Check

his body language for signs he wants to stay together. Is

he using language, gestures or body positions that mirror

yours? Is his heart (his chest) facing yours front-on? Does

he lean in a little when he talks to you? Is he dropping hints

about the future? (Even next month counts as the future at

this point...) These are strong signals he’s feeling the same

way you are, and a good indicator your summer love could

be endless love.

By Lisa Daily, the author of “Stop Getting Dumped!”