Valentine Ideas and other gifts: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

First Impressions Matter

Hearts, romance, love, lips, roses and other valentine related digital designs on branded items. Branded romantic items include t-shirts, sweatshirts, mouse pads, magnets, stickers, mugs, tote bags, bumper stickers, buttons and more.

Ever had a love at first sight encounter? Totally captured by her beauty the first time you laid your eyes on her? Having sleepless nights thinking about her? That first impression she left with you was sure astonishing wasn?t it?

The first impression you give plays a very important part in the blooming of a love relationship. It determines the ever possibility of a development of the relationship. Would you fall in love with someone whom you don?t have any good impression at all? The chances are, if you have a bad impression of someone, it is very likely that the more you see him the more you will dislike him. It is very hard to change one?s thinking once it is set in his mind. It will need a lot of time and regular communication between both to break down that wall. So even if you can?t impress that special someone the very first time, make sure you will not displease him or her. You can still work on your chances at a later time.

How can you impress someone? Well, you may be the kindest soul, so helpful; caring, fun loving and easy going whom all your friends enjoy your presence. But does that someone know? No, if there are no chances of both of you going out together, going out on a date, there?s no way he or she will ever get to know you more. You have got to make that someone notice you, make your presence be known. You got to first impress him or her!

Very naturally, humans tend to make judgment of another just by their very first acquaintance with the person. Decisions were made almost at that very moment of your job interview? Your physical appearance, the way you talk, all your little behaviors you show, will decide what kind of a person you are to them and this impression is going to be set in their mind unless some thing or someone changes it.

So what can you do? What should you take note of? First of all, your appearance of course. Your physical appearance is the very the first thing that catches a person?s eyes. Put on your very best look! But do however dress appropriately. If you are going for a ball, you will not go in your jeans and tee and if you are going for a barbeque, for heaven?s sake, please don?t go in your tuxedo or suits. Other than your physical appearance, you have to also be careful with all your little actions, the way you speak, the way you eat, the way you look at others etc.

Look for chance to strike a conversation with that someone. If not a personal one, a little group conversation will be good. Try to participate in the conversation, getting his or her attention. Look into the eyes, drop him or her a nice warm smile. Let that someone know that his or her presence is felt, being felt by you. A smile with the right eye contact at the right timing can sometimes works wonder than to words. But please, keep the conversations entertaining. If you are bad with jokes, don?t try it! Don?t risk making yourself a clown.

For guys, show your gentlemanliness, hold the door for her, offer seat to her; offer her a ride home etc. But remember, be natural, take things slowly, don?t overdo it and scare her off the very first time.

For girls? Well, you always got a little more privilege. Just be sure not to make yourself look unfriendly. Smile, look him in the eyes and drop him a nice little sweet smile of yours. Do you know that your smile is enough to melt a man?s heart?

Well all these little things count, your little efforts will pay off. Nonetheless, it?s always good to leave people with a good impression of yourself rather than a bad one, isn?t it?

Rick Valens Staff Writer for http://www.loveletterbox.com , Love Relationship Discussion Forum

Let Romance Motivate Us
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Use All Six Senses to Be More Romantic

Using all Six Senses to Be More Romantic

?Knowing what your partner wants and needs is your sixth sense or intuition at work.? - Heidi Richards

Call it intuition. Call it ESP. We all have it and can use it to create a lasting romantic relationship. When our sixth sense is in full gear, it?s like one of those timeless moments between two people when nothing else in the world matters and no one else exists. I?m not talking sex, here. I am talking when two people connect on a level beyond the physical. Let me explain. I was married for 16 years to a good man; he was a good father and a good provider. In fact, we seldom had any conflict in our lives. For some women that might be enough. And yet something was missing from our relationship. He just didn?t ?get? me. Even after 16+ years of marriage, he didn?t really know what I liked or what made me tick. It was inevitable that we would not stay together forever.

Then I met a man whom I have been with for nearly 14 years. It was like he knew instinctively what I liked without me even telling him. Rarely does a day goes by when one of us doesn?t call each other and talk about something the other was actually thinking or go to the store and buy dinner (just what the other was craving without verbalizing that craving). We tease one another about how keen our sixth sense is at certain times. I find it very romantic. I call it a connection to something more and greater than the physical senses are able to distinguish.

And how about the other five senses? How do we know just which senses we should focus on? If they work to create the kind of romance your partner appreciates, then I believe you have what it takes to increase the power of your sixth sense, far beyond touch, taste, sight, smell and sound. Here are some tips for using all six senses to be more romantic (excerpted from the book Romance on a Budget ? www.romanceonabudget.net):

Sight

Look into my Eyes (#11) ? When you gaze into each others eyes, everyone else seems to disappear. And looking intensely at one another can send a message to your partner that can lead to better things.

Sound

Listen ? (#37) ? Do you want to know a secret? Being a good listener is an art. Some people are natural good listeners, others need practice. When you truly listen to one another it demonstrates that you care about what they are saying. It?s most important communication skill in a successful long-term relationship. If you really want to know your partner?s likes and dislikes, wants and desires, perfect the art of listening.

Taste

Hungry for love (#120) ? Visit a local fruit or vegetable grove together and pick your own. Take your goodies home and cook up something wonderful, then feed it to each other. MMMMMM? Good!

Smell

The scent of you (#46) Spray your perfume or cologne on the phone most often used by your partner. Or all the phones in the house. This will surely kick the romance meter up a few notches. It?s especially effective if you are going out of town.

Touch

Touch me in the morning (#115) ? ? in the afternoon, in the evening. Give your partner a massage. Buy some fragrant massage oils and watch the tension turn to pleasure. Take turns.

Intuition

A Hard Day?s Night (#30) ? After a hard day?s work, surprise your partner by having a steaming hot bath ready and waiting. Light the bathroom with candles and yummy scents. After bathing and drying your partner off, show him/ her to your candle lit boudoir, where the bed is ready and waiting with satin sheets and rose petals and soft music is playing. This is where you will proceed to rub his/her body down with scented body massage oil. After working up an appetite, have a romantic dinner ready, waiting to be served.

Developing and using all six senses in romance can create a connection that goes deeper ? to our souls. Knowing what your partner wants and needs is your sixth sense or intuition at work. When you develop your sixth sense in romance you will instinctively know which of the other five to use when and in which combination to use them.

Heidi Richards is the author of The PMS Principles, Powerful Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business and 7 other books. She is also the Founder & CEO of the Women?s ECommerce Association, International www.WECAI.org (pronounced wee-ki) ? an Internet organization that ?Helps Women Do Business on the WEB.? She can be reached at www.HeidiRichards.com.

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3 Romantic Ways to Propose

Many men use Valentine's Day as the day to propose to their loved one. After all, it is the most romantic day of the year and it is a day you will always remember as the special day that you decided to become one. So, what are some romantic ways to propose? Here is a list of three ways to propose on Valentine's Day that will definitely thrill your girlfriend.

1. Do it in front of her family

This all depends on how traditional your girlfriend is, of course. If she does not get along well with her family, this is a bad plan. But, if you know she is very close to her mother, father, siblings, grandparents, cousins, etc., this can be a great idea. Have them help you plan the special day.

Assign one of them to ask her to come to a family reunion on Valentine's Day in order to get everyone together. Inform them of the real plan, but have them keep the secret from your girlfriend. When she tells you about the reunion, complain a bit about the reunion being on Valentine's Day, but do not over do it to the point where she decides not to go.

If that happens, remind her that family is important and even though you would rather take her to a romantic dinner alone, you will go to the reunion. If you are very traditional, ask her parents for her hand in marriage before the party. Let the reunion go on for a while, so she really believes it is real. Designate a time when you are going to pop the question and inform the others beforehand (so they know it is going to happen) like when you put on a certain song or say something in particular.

Then, drop to one knee; tell her how special she is and that you've already received her parent's permission to ask for her hand. Tell her you love her, ask her to marry you and give her the ring. Chances are she will say yes and the whole room will burst into applause. Make sure in advance that you have spoken to someone in the family about taking photos or a video when you ask so you will have the moment preserved on film.

2. Plan a weekend getaway

If Valentine's Day is on the weekend, plan a getaway destination such as Las Vegas or Miami. This is a great way to propose if she likes doing spontaneous things and loves to travel. Don't tell her until Friday afternoon when she gets off work. Pick her up at the office and say she has 30 minutes to get packed, that you have planned a weekend trip. To do this you will need to plan several things in advance.

You will need to get either airline tickets, train tickets (traveling by train can be very romantic), or get the driving directions. Make sure you have reservations at a romantic hotel. For example, if you are going to Miami, try to get a room on the beach. If you are going to Las Vegas, try to get a suite on the Strip at one of the nice hotels. You will have to have the stuff you will need for the weekend packed - including the ring. Hopefully, she will be so excited by the trip, she will think that is what the weekend is about. But, at a great romantic moment, like a walk on the beach or in front of the Bellagio when the fountains are going off, propose to her. If you are in Las Vegas, you can even get married there the same weekend.

3. Borrow from her favorite click flick

Most women love romantic click flicks and many include a proposal. If you know a movie she loves that has a romantic proposal scene, reenact it with her. If My Best Friend's Wedding is her favorite movie, just holler out "Will you marry me?" as she is getting in her car to drive away. It is even better if she is getting on the train (which is how the movie version actually goes). If An Officer and a Gentleman is her favorite movie, walk in to her office, just pick her up in your arms, and carry her out. As you are carrying her out, ask her to marry you.

For this, you should probably consult her boss first. If she loves Sex and the City and you have a dog, take the dog out for a walk with her. When you stop to bend over and scoop the poop, pull out the ring just like Aidan did for Carrie. If you are not sure what her favorite chick flick is, ask. You can always use the premise that you are thinking about buying her the DVD copy for Valentine's Day. Be sure to ask for a few of her favorites to be sure to find one that has a romantic proposal.

Proposing on Valentine's Day is a great idea and one that your girlfriend will surely love. If you have the right setting, it can be very romantic and something that you both will tell your grandchildren about one day.

Sara Fox is the owner of St Valentines Day Gifts. Get more Valentines day ideas by reading her newest tips on "How to Create a Romantic Valentine's Day Evening at Home". http://www.stvalentinesdaygifts.com

Let Romance Motivate Us
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The Legend of a Chinese Valentines Day

Chinese Valentine's Day is on the Seventh Day of the Seventh Month on the Chinese calendar, which falls on August 4th this year. Legend has it that the seventh daughter of the Emperor of Heaven, a weaving maid, fell in love and married a cowherd. They were so much in love that they forgot everything else in their lives and didn't complete their farming and weaving duties, which angered the Jade Emperor. He exiled them to opposite banks of the Silver River (Milky Way), and only allows them to meet each other once a year on the night of the seventh day of the seventh month.

This legend has been handed down for nearly two millennia. The Chinese people believe that the star, Vega, east of the Milky Way, is Zhi Nu, and that Altair, on the western side of the Milky Way is Niu Lang waiting for his wife.

The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is the only Chinese festival devoted to love in the lunar calendar. Chinese Valentine's Day traditions abound and this special day is celebrated differently depending on the Chinese province.

Some of the many traditions include Chinese girls preparing fruits, melons, and incense as offerings to Zhi Nu, the weaving maiden, praying to acquire high skills in needlecraft, as well as hoping to find satisfactory husbands.

Girls place sewing needles on water. If the needle doesn't sink, it's a sign of the girl's maturity and intelligence and she is ready and eligible to find a husband.

People in some Chinese provinces believe that decorating the horns of oxen with flowers will save them from catastrophe. Another tradition is for women to wash their hair to make it look fresh and shining.

chinese romantic coupleOn Chinese Valentine's Day, young lovers go to the temple of the Matchmaker and pray for their love and happiness, and their possible marriage in China.

In the evening, people sit outside to observe the stars. On this night, Vega and Altair are closer together than at any other time of year. Chinese grannies say that if you stand under a grapevine, you can probably overhear what Zhi Nu and Niu Lang are saying to one another.

Author Bio Jane S. Roseen is the Owner and President of Harmony Sweets, an international gourmet chocolate shop. Harmony Sweets' mission focuses on individual consumers purchasing gourmet chocolates from around the world for their friends and relatives, as well as corporate gift-giving. Gourmet chocolate gift baskets and personalized chocolates are also available.

Let Romance Motivate Us
All of us need motivation. We eat because we feel hungry. We drink water because we are thirsty. We do everything in life for a reason. [ continued ]

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Free Date Ideas

One of the things that works to keep relationships alive is spending quality time with each other. In this day of the information age, it is becoming increasingly difficult to carve out the necessary time to nurture our relationships. What with long work hours, helping kids with their homework, transporting them around to their extracurricular activities, getting dinner, cleaning up and going through the bedtime routine, what time is left?

Unless you orchestrate the time for your relationship, other less important things will crowd in and take what precious little time you do have. Pick a night that will be ?date night? with your partner and make a game out of being as creative as you can be. Try to see how many things you can do without spending money.

To get you started, I?ve come up with some suggestions to help you for the next year. What follows are 52 ideas for how to spend creative time together without spending money. Feel free to add or modify any of the items on the list to suit your particular relationship and circumstances.

WINTER

1. Take a drive to look at the Christmas decorations.
2. Play cards---perhaps strip poker.
3. Watch a movie together.
4. Go outside and have a snowball fight.
5. Get some finger paints and create your own body art with each other as your canvass.
6. Go sleigh riding.
7. Go ice skating.
8. Work out or exercise together.
9. Stage your own improvisation show.
10. Sing to each other.
11. Review or create a photo album or scrapbook of your memories together.
12. Play a board game---perhaps chess, Scrabble or Twister.
13. Go to a book store, get coffee and read for hours.

SPRING

14. Work on a remodeling project together.
15. Plan and complete a yard work project together.
16. Do the spring cleaning together---room by room. When done, reward yourself by making love in the room you?ve cleaned.
17. Put on old clothes and mud wrestle after some drenching rain.
18. Give each other a massage.
19. Play catch---football, baseball, softball or Frisbee.
20. Go to a car dealer and test drive the car of your dreams.
21. Shoot basketball together.
22. Dance together.
23. Take a shower together and wash each other---everywhere.
24. Take a free adult education class together.
25. Go to a mall and have a contest to see which one of you can get the most free samples.
26. Go rollerblading or bike riding.

SUMMER

27. Build a campfire and roast marshmallows.
28. Go swimming or skinny dipping.
29. Give each other a manicure or pedicure.
30. Go somewhere crowded to people watch.
31. Go to a free outdoor event, perhaps a concert.
32. Lie on a blanket outside and watch the clouds or stars.
33. Go on a picnic.
34. Watch a fireworks display.
35. Be creative and engage in sexual role plays. Be anyone you?d like to be for the night who is also exciting for your partner.
36. Sit by the water somewhere.
37. Do a prolonged strip tease for each other.
38. Have a water balloon fight.
39. Sit outside and read poetry to each other.

FALL

40. Go for a drive together.
41. Go window shopping.
42. Incorporate food into your love making---chocolate syrup, whipped cream, fondue, strawberries---anything you and your partner enjoy.
43. Call or write to someone you haven?t had contact with in a while.
44. Cook something together.
45. Spend an evening just talking with each other. Talk about the things you have done, plans you have for the future, important people in your lives or current events.
46. Take a bubble bath together.
47. Go to a free movie or museum.
48. Take a drive and find the potential in old houses and their properties.
49. Create an imaginary story together---either orally or in written form.
50. Take turns being each other?s genie in a bottle by fulfilling your partner?s every wish and fantasy.
51. Play in the fallen leaves.
52. Create an exciting scavenger hunt that ends in your bed.

Now you have 52 suggestions for things to do with your partner for every week of the year divided by season. Certainly you don?t have to follow my suggestions. Feel free to add your own or to repeat your favorites as often as you?d like.

The main point is not to see how kinky you can get. The idea is to keep your relationship alive by making time together a priority. It is important that you find things to do as a couple that you can both enjoy. If you have vastly different interests then you can enter this with the spirit of taking turns and each agree to happily participate in the activity chosen by the one whose turn it is that week.

As long as you make a habit of making your relationship a priority and allocating time each week for rejuvenation of the feelings that attracted you in the first place, then you stand a good chance of staying together for the long haul.

Please don?t let insidious boredom enter into your relationship through the back door. This is what frequently happens when we are busy placing other things ahead of our time for each other. You know what I mean---the job, the kids, our friend in crisis, etc. There will always be a competing interest for the time you?ve set aside for each other.

Other than natural disasters, threat of death or major crises, do not allow your time together to be invaded by any outside forces. Make sure to create opportunities for you to do things together without outside influence. With more than 50% of today?s marriages ending in divorce, make this small investment in the longevity of your relationship. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. What?s stopping you? Start today.

Kim Olver is a licensed professional counselor and a life/relationship coach. She helps people unleash their personal power by living from the inside out, focusing their time and energy on only those things they can control. She also helps people improve the quality of their relationships with the important people in their lives. She offers free chats, assessments, a blog and an eZine, as well as workshops, teleclasses, e-courses, counseling and coaching. Visit her website at www.TheRelationshipCenter.biz

Let Romance Motivate Us
All of us need motivation. We eat because we feel hungry. We drink water because we are thirsty. We do everything in life for a reason. [ continued ]

Valentine News:

Valentine Ideas without breaking the bank...
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View the original article here

Wedding Rings Through the Years

The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and is rife with superstition and mythology. Papyruses dating back to the ancient Egyptian civilization depict wedding rings, and historians credit the land of the Pharaohs with originating this tradition. Engagement or betrothal rings were in use as far back as prehistoric times, but the wedding ring is a relatively new tradition, and unlike the engagement ring, is steeped in religious ritual.

In ancient times, accepting a wedding ring constituted a legally binding agreement between husband and wife. The wife became property of the husband, a holding of sorts. It also represented protection to the wife?a protection against challengers seizing her legal and rightful position in a power grab.

Early Egyptian wedding rings were simple circular bands, crudely crafted from indigenous materials such as hemp and reeds. The lifespan of the average wedding ring was approximately one year. It's a safe bet that the average marriage outlasted the average wedding band, since the eternal circle signified eternal love and devotion. The circle also represented the joining of two halves to create a whole. The hole in the center symbolized the gateway to the unknown?the future. Wedding bands of ivory, leather, and other sturdy materials were crafted by those who desired a more permanent token of eternity.

Metals replaced the earlier hemp and reed wedding bands. The early Romans moved to lead, while other civilizations chose brass and copper. Eventually, gold emerged as the metal of choice. In fact, early Irish couples insisted on gold, as any other material was thought to bring bad luck at best, and constitute an illegal marriage at worst. For couples unable to afford gold wedding bands, gold wedding rings were secured for the service and returned immediately afterward.

Early crude designs were adorned with semiprecious metals in an attempt to disguise the handiwork. The color of the stones also held significance. The red ruby signified the heart, the blue sapphire signified the skies and the heavens, and the rare diamond's indestructible nature signified the indestructible bond of marriage.

Fit played an equally important role in the realm of superstition surrounding the wedding ring. The fit had to be perfect. Too loose a fit would lead to a sloppy marriage, carelessness, and even cause the couple to grow apart. Too tight a fit would doom the couple to a suffocating, painful marriage.

In ancient times, wedding bands occupied the third finger on the left hand just as they do today. The significance of the third finger was the belief that the vein in the third finger, the "vena amoris," led directly to the heart. This was a thought propagated by the Egyptians and adopted as truth by the ancient Greeks and Romans, until later disproved.

Even after the discovery that there was no vena amoris, the custom of wearing the wedding band on the third finger survived. Early Christian marriages included a ritual that landed the wedding band on the third finger: As the priest recited, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost," he took the ring and touched the thumb, the first finger, and then the second finger. When he said, "Amen," he placed the ring on the third finger, sealing the marriage. The wedding band has occupied the third finger into the 21st century, except for a short period during the Elizabethan era, when whimsy decreed that the wedding ring reside on the thumb.

Double-ring ceremonies gained popularity during World War II as young soldiers shipped off to war. The token of the marriage contract took on new sentimentality during those troubling times, and that custom remains intact today. Ceremonies differ, vows are often unique, but the tradition of the wedding band has survived through the ages, and probably will?for all eternity.

About the author:
M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for engagement rings, wedding rings, and wedding bands. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

Let Romance Motivate Us
All of us need motivation. We eat because we feel hungry. We drink water because we are thirsty. We do everything in life for a reason. [ continued ]

Valentine News:

Valentine Ideas without breaking the bank...
[ romantic ideas ]

View the original article here

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Tips for Sending Flowers

Flowers are a way to let someone know you care, so it is no wonder that sending flowers is such a popular way to commemorate events, from the birth of a new baby to Valentine's Day. In fact, flowers are also the top choice for letting someone know you're sorry. However, not all flower bouquets are as nice as the rest. Before you send someone flowers, you may want to do a bit of research.

Before you do anything else, take some time to think about the type of flowers that this person enjoys. While most people love red roses, there are a few who prefer colorful wildflower bouquets or exuberant sunflowers instead. Next, take a look at the different arrangements available. Some come in beautiful vases or include collectibles as part of the arrangement. Others come in simple vases that let the flowers shine.

After you choose the flowers you want, it is time to send them to that special someone, right? Well, while you may be ordering from a reputable florist, that florist may not be the person actually choosing, arranging, and delivering the flowers. Instead, when flowers are being delivered to someone some distance away, the florist passes the task of filling the order onto a local florist. Ask who will be doing the actual delivery and find out if that florist has a good reputation.

Once you send the flowers to the recipient, don't be afraid to follow up. Many times, a disappointing bouquet is delivered, but the person who received it may be afraid to offend the giver, so doesn't say anything. If you mention that you want to be sure the arrangement looks fresh and that it contains the proper number of flowers, the recipient will probably be much more forthcoming about the condition of the bouquet. If it sounds like there is a problem, follow up with the florist where you placed your order and the florist who filled it. After all, the person getting your bouquet should get what you paid for.

Finally, you may want to consider sending a very different type of flower, a living plant. This way, your gift will continue to remind that lucky someone of the event the flowers were sent to commemorate long after a fresh bouquet would be a distant memory. If you are sending flowers to someone with a black thumb, you may want to try sending a dried floral arrangement instead.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for FlowerSendingSecrets.com. To learn more about floral arrangements and sending flowers visit us.

Let Romance Motivate Us
All of us need motivation. We eat because we feel hungry. We drink water because we are thirsty. We do everything in life for a reason. [ continued ]

Valentine News:

Valentine Ideas without breaking the bank...
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Celebrate Your Relationship

If you are spending time looking for ways in which you can improve your relationship, you obviously love and care for your partner and what you want to have together.

Start your changes by celebrating your relationship. Celebrate the joy of having met that one very special person, find joy in the wonderful things that 'click' about you and your spouse and celebrate what you are committed to building together. You can celebrate any day at any time and you can also celebrate by surprising your spouse.

On your next birthday, celebrate your spouse and how he or she makes your existence better by presenting him or her with a gift. He or she will be so surprised that you might see a tear or two of joy fall.

Start paying attention to what he or she likes. Really listen to what your spouse says, pay attention to the items he or she says he would like to try someday and get it for them. Don't give it to your spouse immediately and put the item away for a period of time. The period of time is up to you- it could be a week or it could be a month. When you think that he or she will no longer remember discussing the item with you, present it to them as a gift.

Take over a chore or daily task for your spouse without letting them know about your intentions. Mow the lawn, washing the car, cook and clean up from meals or clean the house- do something substantial for him or her. If you find that he or she loved having the break from a particular task, do it over and over again as often as you can.

One of the most recognizable symbols of a celebration is a balloon! Fill your car with balloons and take them home to him or her. Fill the living room before he or she gets home from work. Make sure you have some balloons marked with your names in hearts on them and some should have personal messages written as well. Begin the celebration of your love today.

Start celebrating each major and minor holiday with your spouse. Begin with New Year's Eve and do it big. Go to New York City and go to Times Square if that's as big as you can think! Valentine's Day should be done as lavishly as possible. On the Fourth of July, plan to attend the most extravagant fireworks display you can find or plan on making fireworks of your own at home. Always celebrate each other's birthdays and do it with flair. Your Anniversary should be a special day and celebrated with an expensive bottle of your favorite drink. Get dressed up on Halloween as your favorite fantasy characters and role-play for the entire evening. Celebrate any and every day you want by staying home from work and playing in bed. Celebrate as often of infrequently as you want to, but make sure you take the time to play, surprise each other and celebrate your relationship.

How to Easily Transform a Miserable, Lifeless Marriage Relationship into One Filled With Love, Happiness, and Excitement - Just Visit: http://www.marriage-problems-advice-help.info

Let Romance Motivate Us
All of us need motivation. We eat because we feel hungry. We drink water because we are thirsty. We do everything in life for a reason. [ continued ]

Valentine News:

Valentine Ideas without breaking the bank...
[ romantic ideas ]

View the original article here

Gift Ideas for Your Girlfriend

by Mark Davies

Afraid picking up some wilted roses from the gas station on your way home from work just won't cut it for your girlfriend's anniversary or Christmas gift this year? Perhaps you really are a charming fellow who just needs a bit of guidance when it comes to buying gifts for the girl of your dreams.

We're here to help! There are tons of options for getting a romantic gift for you girlfriend (or wife) that will completely sweep her off her feet. For starters, have you noticed her perfume bottle is running low? Pick her up a bottle of perfume, being sure to keep in mind the scents that she usually wears. You can also by aromatic bath gifts- think of lotions, bubble bath, shower gel, or lip gloss. To really put the romantic touch, try to pick a scent or flavor that is meaningful to her in some way. Does she love citrus fruit? Lavender flowers? The smell of cinnamon? With the wide variety of scents available, you may be able to find something personal that will subtly let her know that you are tuned in to her interests.

Is your girl the busy type who never seems to get to relax? You might want to consider getting her a gift certificate to a spa so she can have the day to reflect, unwind, and of course, think about how lucky she is to have a great guy like you. Again, bath gifts can also be helpful in this category. Giving her a fragrant bath bubbles may help her when she wants to unwind.

To really take her away from it all, you might also consider getting supplies to take her on a romantic picnic. Nothing says love like actually taking time out to treat her to a romantic afternoon on Valentine's Day or on your anniversary.

Who can forget flowers? There's a reason why so many men get flowers for their girlfriends- women love them. Online there are a wide variety of florists that can help you find just the perfect arrangement for a blooming gift for your sweetie. Pick colors that she likes- if you're unsure, you might consider looking at the color of clothing she wears most often as these are likely reflective of her favorite colors. Keep in mind when buying flowers there are also flowers that can last forever- beautiful preserved flowers lined in gold and porcelain flowers, for example. There's more in the floral category than just flowers, however, as stunning vases can also make for a romantic gift (and a lovely place for her to put the bouquets you plan to buy for her in the future). Perhaps you could place a romantic note inside the vase, hinting at the bouquets yet to come. Then, whenever you give her the gift of flowers, she will also be reminded of the beautiful vase you gave her.

Chances are your girlfriend loves chocolate (perhaps almost as much as she loves you!). Chocolate makes an excellent gift. Keep in mind her favorite types of chocolate. Yes, there are types. Milk chocolate, Dark chocolate, different nut varieties, and fruit filled varieties. If you are unsure about which is her favorite, you can always go with a variety box for a great gift. Some online shops will also allow you to personalize the gift box with a personal message.

In addition, you can give the gift of her favorite photographs or other artwork in beautiful frames, or a pretty candles that will glow and set the mood for a perfect romantic evening. Keep in mind that a personal message from the heart also makes a great gift and will definitely add to the romance of any other gift you get for her.

About the Author
Mark Davies is the author of http://www.hazboo.com, a leading directory of products and stores.

Let Romance Motivate Us
All of us need motivation. We eat because we feel hungry. We drink water because we are thirsty. We do everything in life for a reason. [ continued ]

Valentine News:

Valentine Ideas without breaking the bank...
[ romantic ideas ]

View the original article here

Emotional Infidelity

Emotional infidelity can start with a simple hi or a wink. It begins in a boardroom or a chatroom. One spouse says, "What's the problem? We're only friends."

The other spouse can't believe the reassurances. So the jealousy builds and a wedge is driven between partners. Sometimes nothing really is going on, and sometimes an affair is in progress. It's only a matter of time.

So how can you tell if your spouse is a potential cheater? How can you stop a relationship from becoming romantic outside of your marriage? Here are five topics to think about before determining if your marriage is in the danger zone.

1. Secrecy: Do you feel as though your partner could be telling you more about his or her new friend? Or do you hide the details of your platonic relationship from your spouse? If so, why? It's best not to keep secrets from your partner, even if you think he or she will be hurt, angry or jealous. If you want a successful relationship, trust and honesty is the one factor for marriage that should not be compromised.

2. Displaced Trust: Is information that should only be shared between husband and a wife, shared outside of the relationship? Topics like sexual intimacy, irreconcilable differences, personal finances, and detailed accounts of your partner's shortcomings are best left within the constructs of your marriage relationship.

3. Comparing: Does your spouse compare you to friend(s) of the opposite sex often? Or do YOU feel as though your spouse could improve in the areas that your special friend excels? Comparing once or twice may not be a problem, but habitual comparison is a warning sign.

4. Time Management: What type of time do you spend together as a married couple? Is it mainly dutiful, like paying bills or going to conferences for the kids? Or do you actually date-- one-on-one, no kids, family or friends around? If not, and you find yourself, or your partner, engaged in date like activities outside of your relationship, stop it. Either invite your spouse or don't do it anymore. Coffee talk can turn to pillow talk in the blink of an eye.

5. Attraction: Do you feel as though your spouse like the way his/her special friend looks? Are you attracted to the way your friend looks or the way he/she does something? If so, address this issue with your partner and then try to refocus your attention on each other, rather than the outside party.

If three to five of these topics need to be addressed in your marriage, I urge you to get professional help either from your religious leader or from a professional counselor.

Keishia Lee-Louis is the Editor and Publisher of http://www.Married4Good.com (launching November 2005). Her work has appeared on iVillage.com, BibleResourceCenter.com, and in numerous other printed publications.

Currently, she lives with her husband, daughter and son and is writing a book on marriage and relationships which will be published Spring 2006.

Let Romance Motivate Us
All of us need motivation. We eat because we feel hungry. We drink water because we are thirsty. We do everything in life for a reason. [ continued ]

Valentine News:

Valentine Ideas without breaking the bank...
[ romantic ideas ]

View the original article here

Romantic Movies

Nothing beats a romantic night at home, snuggled up on a coach watching a romantic movie. Stop at your local video store and find a movie sure to capture the heart of your mate. Here are some of the best all time romantic movies.

Ten Things I Hate About You
A teenage romantic comedy, 10 Things I Hate About You is a modern day Taming of the Shrew. Set in a modern high school setting. Bianca Stratford is forbidden to date until her older sister, Katarina begins dating. Unfortunately for Bianca, Katarina has no interest in dating, until she finds a not so perfect guy.

Sweet Home Alabama
Beautiful, ambitious Melanie flees rural Alabama and her highschool sweetheart in favor of Manhattan's glamorous fashion and social circles. When her Park Avenue boyfriend proposes, it's time to head South and finalize her divorce. Melanie learns that somethings can not be left behind.

How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days
To help land a big ad account, philandering Ben, makes a wager with his co-worker that he can mend his womanizing ways and date a woman for more than 10 days. Ben bets on the wrong girl. Andie is running her own scam and writing an article on how to dump a guy in 10 days and determined that Ben dump her.

When Harry Met Sally
Can men and women remain friends without the sex part getting in the way? Womanizing, neurotic Harry and ambitious, equally neurotic Sally are friends who resist sexual attraction to maintain their friendship. As the two draw closer, they ask if they can they stay just pals, or will sex get in the way?

Sabrina
Industrious tycoon Linus Larrabee has no room for love in his appointment book. Sabrina Fairchild the chauffeur's daughter has spent her whole life worshipping the wealthy Larrabee family from afar. Heartbroken to learn that David doesn't share her feelings, she spends a year in Paris, then returns home more confident and poised. But when a burgeoning romance between his libertine brother David and Sabrina, jeopardizes Linus' pending business merger, the workaholic CEO clears his calendar to derail the relationship.

Some Kind of Wonderful
Watts is a young tomboy who has a crush on her best friend, Keith. but her feelings go unrequited as he falls for Amanda, a rich girl with snobby friends. Unfortunately for Keith, Amanda's wealthy ex-boyfriend wants her back and is willing to do anything to get her. This coming of age movie reminds viewers what really matters.

Pretty Woman
Looking for directions to his Beverly Hills hotel, millionaire corporate raider Edward Lewis crosses paths with Hollywood hooker Vivian Ward and hires her as his "date" for a week. Vivian gets swept into a fantasy realm of room service and boutique shopping on Rodeo Drive, and what starts as a business contract turns into much more. Can the poor prostitute and rich industrialist live happily ever after?

Cutting Edge
Spoiled but accomplished figure skater Kate Moseley is on her way to the Olympics, and so is egotistical hockey player Doug Dorsey. When an eye injury puts Doug out of hockey, he reluctantly agrees to try figure skating as Kate's partner. The duo gets off to a rough start but learns to perform as a team, and they soon become a force to be reckoned with.

Jerry Maguire
In one of the best date-night movies of all time, a sports agent grows a conscience, promptly gets fired and attempts to turn his life around. With one loyal football client. A starry-eyed co-worker and her irresistible son tag along, the sports agent discovers that loving well while playing fair is the best revenge.

The Princess Bride
In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Wesley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness. Giants, swordsmen, six-fingered counts, murderous princes, Sicilians, pirates, rodents of unusual size and even death can not stop true love from triumphing.

Sleepless in Seatle
Soul mates who come perilously close to never meeting. Although separated by thousands of miles, rueful widower Sam Baldwin and soon-to-be married Annie Reed connect through a radio call-in show encounter engineered by Sam's son, Jonah.

Dirty Dancing
Expecting the usual ennui that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Baby Houseman instead finds herself in love. The object of her affection, is none other than the resort's free-spirited dance instructor, Johnny Castle. But Baby's disapproving dad soon steps in to keep Johnny from putting the moves on his artless daughter.

Clueless
Bored with high school boys, best friends Cher and Dionne instead set their sights on college men. But the meddlesome Cher gets more than she bargained for when she gives a fashion-challenged student a makeover in hopes that her new friend will find love and happiness.

She is All That
Laney Boggs, a geeky highschool student, becomes a challenge, when she spills her books in front of class superstar Zach Siler. Zach's buddies bet that he can not turn Laney from an ugly duckling into a prom queen. With help from his sister, Zach gives Laney a makeover that turns heads and makes him think twice.

Francesca Black a romantic at heart, writes for Valentine Shop http://www.valentine-shop.com and Angel Gifts http://www.angel-gifts.net

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16 Romantic Ideas

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