Sunday nights are my favorite time to sit back and watch a show with my husband. We don’t have a chance to do so, due to our hectic work schedules, so Sunday’s are just for us.
When it comes down to actually finding something to watch, it can be a bit of a battle between us.
One of our current favorites is the SHOWTIME original series THE CHI. The Chi is a drama series created by Lena Waithe, about life in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
My husband is from Chicago so this show is special to him. I love how during certain scenes during the show my husband will point out: “hey my house was near there” or “That was down the street from my school!”.
If my husband and I are out, if one of us is working Sunday night, we can always catch up on The Chi with the SHOWTIME app. Now you can too by visiting SHOWTIME.com and using the code THECHI30 for an exclusive 30-day free trial. Code expires 4/1/18.
What we love the most about the SHOWTIME app is that there is no cable needed, and we get Live + On Demand unlimited access to critically-acclaimed original series like Homeland, Billions, Shameless, SMILF and more!
If you are on the go (road trip anyone?) you can stream from your favorite device, like a phone or tablet, by downloading commercial-free programming to watch anytime!
If you are looking to spend more time with your partner, but you know that a dinner at Ruth’s Chris (or even Waffle House) isn’t in your budget, here are some seriously fun date ideas that you can do at home and on a budget.
1. Making A Meal Together
We all know that eating at home is always the cheapest and more often than not, healthiest option. Spend some time cooking your favorite meal together.
2. Taking a Drive
Don’t have any place, in particular, you want to go? Not hungry? Hop in the car and just drive. Spend time talking to one another and listening to some tunes. And remember why you fell in love, to begin with.
3. Going for a Walk in the Park
Walks in the park are an amazing way to reconnect with one another without being in a loud and noisy space. 
4. Going to a Thrift Store
We love antiques, so for us just being able to go from store to store and looking at items is relaxing and fun. If you two enjoy something similar give it a try.
5. Picnic
This is by far one of the easiest (and also a tried and true) dates. Switch things up a bit and make the picnic somewhere unique (like the zoo, on the beach, by a lake).
6. Catching a Movie at the Dollar Theater
If you have $1 movie theater in your area, go see an old favorite.
7. Listen to a Podcast Together
Podcasts are amazing. You can usually find one on any topic. Pick something you both are interested in, and cuddle up on the couch and listen.
8. Split A Dessert at a restaurant
If you can’t really afford a big meal for the two of you, have dessert instead. You can even head to an ice cream shop and make it extra sweet and split a cone.
9. Karaoke Night
Youtube makes an awesome karaoke machine. Put on your favorite song and have a sing-off.
10. Enjoy a paint nite event
I absolutely love paint and wine events. If you don’t have one in your area, head to Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and do it on your own at home.
11. Play video games
If one or both of you are into video games, make a night of it and play your favorite.
12. Candlelit Dinner.
The dinner doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be edible. Light some candles and either sit on the floor or the kitchen table and stare into each other eyes lovingly.
13. Camp out (at home).
Why not?
14. Movie Marathon
Do you have a favorite movie series that you enjoy as a couple? Or do you want to test out some new ones? Set some time aside and make it a night (or entire day if prefer Lord of the Rings or Marvel marathons like we do).
15. Take a Bubble Bath
This is exactly how it sounds. Enjoy
Let me know how you spend date night at home and what you think of THE CHI on SHOWTIME @NatashaVBrown and @Showtime
![Circe by Madeline Miller is a wildly original, beautifully written novel about Circe, a goddess of magic or sometimes a nymph, witch, enchantress or sorceress in Greek mythology. My love of modern mythological adaptions should be evident by now. I've enjoyed the many stories released this year with this very theme, I'm so excited to constantly bring you more recommendations. In my opinion, Circe far surpasses Song of Achilles, which was a tough act to follow. Miller will surely become remembered as one of the literary greats. She has managed to take a classic story, and weave an entirely new legend into the tale while keeping its original mythos. Miller managed to cultivate a desire in this reader to keep reading, despite other demands. The anticipation and satisfaction of finally finding a true unputdownable book were amazing. Read on to find out why. About Circe In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child--not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power--the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of the mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus. But there is a danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love. My Review of Circe: I finished reading Circe in a day and a half. As soon as I began reading Friday night, I had to force myself to finally put it down and go to sleep. I was disappointed I had to go to sleep. Let that sink in. As a background character, there is not much written on Circe. The literature that is available on the character paints Circe as an evil, ruthless witch. Circe the book is not completely contradictory to everything you've read regarding the character. Good or bad, Miller paints an intimate portrait of Circe, allowing us to create a truly complete vision of this mythological woman. Circe is likable and human, not the cruel, sorceress or enchantress we know from Greek Homer's Odyssey. Working within the constraints of the original text, Circe shines a light on the story of a woman, we were so sure we knew. Circe's joy and loneliness of independence mirror my own, another reason I felt a relation to the character. Miller's empathetic character Circe was met with various obstacles and characters blocking her path throughout the novel, but the anticipation of reading on until the end was well worth it. (Don't worry I won't give any spoilers.) Circe is a beautifully complex character, full of flaws and guilt like us. Miller does an amazing job at painting all of the characters as that: contradictory and flawed. Jason may be beautiful and strong, but he is also “lost in the details of his own legend” Hermes is all very well as a lover, as long as one doesn’t ever commit the sin of being dull Odysseus is “lawyer and bard and crossroads charlatan at once”...“He showed me his scars and in return let me pretend that I had none.” Circe bridges [wo]man and myth perfectly to create a well-rounded plot, beautiful prose. The pure anticipation I felt reading this book, Feel free to check out Madeline Miller's other books: Song of Achilles Circe This post contains affiliate links. Any purchase you make will allow me to buy more books. See disclosure for more.](https://i1.wp.com/www.gritsngrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-04-23-11.42.05-1.jpg?resize=450%2C340&ssl=1)
How fun! These are such great ideas!!
So many greG date night ideas. I think the camping outside our house would be fun! Now I just gotta convince the hubby! Lol
These days night ideas create a wonderful way to spend quality time with your partner. We try to watch a movie once the kids are in bed.
I love the idea of taking a walk in the park. Especially with Daylight savings time now there’s more sunlight in the evenings after we get off work 🙂