Feb 8, 2011

Most Recommended Valentine’s Gifts for Him and Her

Choosing what Valentine’s gift to buy for your special someone can be very challenging, if not nerve-wracking. This holds true even if you have known the person for a long time. You know the things that will make your beloved happy, but of course, you want to show how special he or she is to you. If you still have no idea what to give to your honey on February 14, read on. The following are the most popular V-day gifts that may give you a clue.

Top Five V-day Gifts for Him

1. Jewelries or accessories

Necklaces, wristwatches, bracelets, and cuff links are among the jewelries that your boyfriend or husband will truly appreciate. Accessories such as caps, hats, sunglasses, and gloves in cool and fashionable designs also make great gifts for the holiday. When hunting for jewelries and accessories, be sure that you get something that matches his personal taste and style.

2. CDs or DVDs

Is your man a huge fan of a particular musician? You may want to complete his collection of albums of that artist. Or maybe he wants to see a certain movie? The best gift would be a DVD copy of the film he wants to see.

3. Chocolates or flowers

If you think it’s absurd to give your man chocolates or flowers as a gift, think again! Typically, women receive lots of them not only during the day of hearts, but also during birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions. Why not surprise your beloved with a box of chocolates that form the words “I love you”?

4. Clothes

Clothes are always a good choice as a V-day gift because for sure, your special someone will need some additions to his wardrobe.

5. Customized or homemade items

A mug or shirt printed with a simple message of love or your photo together can be one of the best gifts he will ever receive. You can also give him a wallet with a wallet-sized photo of you as a couple. That will really surprise your man!

Top Five Gifts for Her

1. Gift basket

This works very nicely if you want to give your girl every bit of her favorite stuff—from accessories and little cuddly toys to sweets and chocolates. Whatever little things your girlfriend wants, put them in the basket and wrap it or tie a red fancy ribbon or lace.

2. Heart pendant

You can’t go wrong with a heart-shaped pendant that she can wear close to her heart. It’s an eternal symbol of your passionate love for her.

3. Gadgets

Is your girlfriend into gadgets? A digital camera, mp3 player, and iPod are among the things she simply couldn’t refuse.

4. Valentine getaway

Treat her to a spa, spend a romantic cruise, or dine in a luxurious restaurant. No matter what V-day treat you have in store for her, she will definitely appreciate it because that would mean more time spent only with you.

5. Promise ring

Give her a Valentine’s ring that will symbolize your undying love for her and your readiness to take your relationship to the next level.

Feb 6, 2011

How To Look Good On Your Valentine's Date

When going out on a Valentine's date, looking good is a major consideration because physical attraction matters especially on first meetings.

If you want to look good on your date, it is a must to pay attention to your hair. Solving your mane issues is a major thing because hair is every person’s crowning glory. If you want to look your best, try choosing a hairstyle that would complement the shape of your face. You can do this by going to a salon and asking for a beautician or a stylist’s advice. Straight, curly, long, or short hair cut with different styles would definitely bring out the best in you. You can also ask the stylist to do hairstyle variations for you. If you want to be more daring, try putting color on your hair that would complement your complexion. Make sure that you ask for the service of a stylist so you won't damage your hair.

Aside from getting a great haircut and hairstyle, you can also achieve beautiful hair by updating the products you use such as shampoo, condition, hairstyling gels, or mousse.

For women, a need for update in make-up is crucial because it has been a proven fact that make-up greatly affects the butterfly-acts of many women out there. Knowledge in the proper use and application of eyeliner, eye shadows, lipsticks, blush ons and foundations can help you flatter your features and enhance your overall aura if done properly.

For easy make-up tips that can enhance the features of your face, make sure that you know the proper preparation. Knowledge on the proper application of foundation, primers, creams, and pencils can further flatter your best features. Also, make sure that you choose colors properly. You can do this by using your hair color as a guide. Stylists agree that creams and taupes are prefect for blondes, mochas and chocolate browns are great for brunettes while auburn or redheads can opt for coppers, peaches, and reddish browns or pastel colors.

To look good not only on your Valentine's date but for your other dates, learn the concept of skin-deep beauty. Being the largest organ of the body, the skin makes a lot of difference. Since having and maintaining a healthy and youthful skin is a must, follow simple skin care tips such as using sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun, avoiding smoking to prevent impairing the skin, getting enough rest and proper nutrition, avoiding stressing yourself out, using proper products and develop a simple skin care regiment, not touching your face unless you’ve washed your hands, and getting regular exercise.

Also, being properly groomed is a must. Before you go on a Valentine's date, make sure that you pay attention to details like your finger and toe tails and teeth by ensuring that these are clean.

Lastly, keeping up with the latest fashion trends that fit for you would definitely make you stunning on your Valentine's date. Checking out what’s the latest in the fashion scene can help you choose the proper wardrobe that would complement your taste and personality.

How to Enjoy Valentine’s Day with Your Beloved without Emptying Your Pocket

Got honey but not much money? That shouldn’t be a reason not to celebrate Valentine’s Day. February 14 is the day you spend with the most special person in your life, regardless of how cheap or expensive your gifts are or how simple or extravagant your date is. What matters is that you have the time to spend with your loved one on the day of hearts.

If you are on a tight budget, don’t worry. There are many ways you can celebrate V-day without breaking the bank.

1. Give inexpensive yet thoughtful gifts.

Chocolates, flowers, and jewelries are some of the traditional V-day presents. Why don’t you give your sweetheart something that won’t cost you much but would mean a lot to him or her. Homemade cookies, cakes, or cards are economical yet thoughtful presents. Here’s one gift your honey will appreciate without you spending a single penny: offer your “services”—you can run errands for your beloved like washing the car, making a special dinner, repairing the house, or giving a massage.

2. Put your feelings into writing.

Write down your reasons for loving your honey on small pieces of colored paper and then post them all over the house: on the fridge, couch, closets, and anywhere. For sure, your love will be delighted to discover everything you love about him or her.

3. Look for free or low-priced concerts.

An organization, school, or college in your area may be organizing a free concert on February 14, so grab the chance to watch it with your beloved!

4. Have a special, candlelit dinner at home.

Why spend hundreds of dollars for a dinner date at an elegant restaurant when you can dine at home? What makes V-day dinner at home all the more special is the fact that you cook and prepare the dishes yourself for the one you love. Isn’t that sweet and thoughtful? You can even get dressed up for it and arrange the table setting to create an ambience of a fancy restaurant.

5. Be smart when purchasing flowers.

You don’t have to follow the flock by getting a bouquet of red roses. There are other beautiful flowers out there at lower the price of roses. To save more money, you should order your flower several weeks earlier than February 14.

6. Go on an inexpensive yet enjoyable date.

You can take a walk in the park, take a rowboat on a lake, or drive around and explore your neighborhood for some nice places to eat. Or you can stay at home watching your favorite movies on DVD while munching on popcorn.

7. Find reasonably-priced travel deals and accommodations.

Look around for travel deals on the Web. Be on the lookout for discounts before you make a reservation. Also, learn how to negotiate for the deals and prices properly. Who knows, you may be able to get a vacation for two at a lower price!
See? Celebrating Valentine’s Day may seem involve a lot of money, but then you can cut back on your spending while having fun with your sweetheart.

Feb 5, 2011

Great Valentine’s Romantic Destinations with a Twist

Looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway that you and your sweetheart will surely enjoy and remember for the rest of your life? There are many places all over the world waiting to be explored, and why not bring your honey to one of those wonderful places? Read on the following most recommended locations for your Valentine vacation and choose the one that captures your fancy.

1. Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida

Water adventure is what you will get in this one-of-a-kind tropical getaway. In Discovery Cove, you can bond with your partner in many ways. You can relax on the crystal-clear beaches and enjoy the cool breeze. Or if you are more adventurous, snorkeling with rays and swimming with dolphins are two must-try activities in the park. The park offers different V-day packages for lovers. The packages have these features in common: photo and frame souvenir, a marker with personalized message (delivered by a dolphin), and a box of chocolates.

2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

This location is an ideal romantic getaway because of its breathtaking forests and mountains. In the city of Gatlinburg, you can find a lot of restaurants, fancy shops, and rental cabins. Some rental cabins offer romance packages for couples as well as amenities like Jacuzzis and fireplaces. Gatlinburg is also a perfect place for snow skiing.

3. Hotel Fouquet's Barriere in Paris

Paris is one of the romantic places you must visit before you die. In Paris lies the first palace hotel to open in the city in eight decades: the Hotel Fouquet's Barriere. This luxurious hotel is the perfect choice for couples who seek a place to spend an intimate night together. It offers a night tour in Paris in a Peugeot C6 or 2CV convertible that is driven by a chauffeur. You can enjoy a romantic champagne dinner at the Le Diane restaurant in the hotel and have a photo souvenir.

4. Mile High Atlanta in Georgia

Love is in the air! You can feel it more with your partner if you join the Mile High Club. Take a romantic one-hour flight in a Piper Cherokee Six and revel in the view of the sunset while sipping some champagne. Isn’t it also nice to propose to your sweetheart while in flight?

5. Zero Gravity

How about proposing or exchanging vows as you float? In Zero Gravity, these are nothing but possible. You can soar and float with your loved one as if you were exploring the Moon. No need to travel to space just to experience such out-of-this-world experience!

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

Another popular V-day getaway for couples is the city of New Orleans, which has practically everything including food, history, and art. The city is also brimming with hotels and romantic places that offer a variety of V-day packages for lovers.

Finding it hard to pick the perfect Valentine’s Day destination? No matter what you choose, make sure that it will be something to remember and that you and your loved one will enjoy.

Tips For A Successful Valentine's Date

Dating, especially on romantic occasions such as Valentine's Day, is probably one of the most exciting yet daunting adventures any single individual might ever encounter. Traditional dating—meeting up, going out and eating out—with somebody you are interested with can be a challenge as well as a learning experience for everyone.

More than the women, men feel more pressured when going out on a date specially on Valentine's Day because they are expected to do almost everything to make the date a success. Since they are the ones who will carry out most of the so-called “dating tasks” here are some tips that can help men go through with the exciting process of dating the girl they are interested with.

- CLEALINESS. Ensure cleanliness by keeping on eye on your hygiene and style. The worst thing any man can do is to turn up on a date smelling, unshaven, and looking dirty so the first thing you should do is to take a bath, brush your teeth, and shave those stubborn stubbles. Men who do not know how to maintain hygiene are no-nos for the more hygienic sex. So it pays to spray on some decent cologne and gargle before you meet up with your date.

- LOOK NICE. Dress up to look your best. Looking your best when you go out on a Valentine's date gives the idea that you have prepared for the special occasion even if it’s only a first date. If you don’t have enough dough to buy new shoes or clothes, at least try to wear those decent ones to impress your date.

- TIME MATTERS/ The first impression of women is usually based on how much men value their time. If you ask a woman on a date, make sure that you can turn up on time because not doing so will give her the impression that you don’t value your word. If you don’t want your date to think you are unreliable, try be early or at least on time when going out on a date.

- ISSUES ON BILLS. The general rule in dating is that whoever asks for that date should pay for it. Since you are the one who asked for and you are the man, then, by all means, you should pay the bill. But if the idea of your paying for the entire bill does not sit well to the woman you’re dating and she insists paying for her own, make a compromise. Suggest that she pays the half and you’ll pay for the rest.

- BEING A GENTLEMAN PAYS. Simple things that show your gentleness like holding the door open for her, letting her walk through the door first, and pulling out a chair for her will definitely make an impact on her. Showering her compliments throughout the day will also make her think that you appreciate her efforts of looking good for the date.

Remember, people need conform the rules whether they like it or not. In the case of dating specially during Valentine's Day, there's no harm in following these simple rules should to ensure success for both parties.

Feb 4, 2011

Easy Steps to Make a Valentine’s Day Popup Greeting Card

Next to Christmas cards, Valentine cards are the second most popular greeting cards in the United States, with more than one billion V-day cards sent every year. For sure, you have received tons of the same old Valentine’s Day cards since you-don’t-know-when. And most likely, you have grown tired of them. After all, simple cards may mean that the sender has not made much effort of giving you something more special for the occasion. Even buying and giving plain greeting cards can be boring. Why don’t you spice up the holiday by creating something unique and different like a popup card?

The best thing about making your own popup V-day card is that you can show your creativity and love for the card’s recipient without costing you much. All you need are the following simple materials: paper, pen, ruler, scissors, and printer. And since you make the card on your own, the card would mean so much that the recipient will treasure it for a lifetime.

Follow these four easy steps to be able to create a unique and memorable popup greeting card that you will give to your beloved on February 14.

1. Choose a high-quality paper.

The best places to find the right paper for your popup card are office supplies stores. Some of these stores feature scrapbook items, including paper in packages or individual sheets. Great color choices for V-day cards are pink, red, and cream. It is recommended that you buy a few 20- to 25-pound colored sheets. As for the thick card stock, look for plain white or other color that blends well with that of your chosen thin colored paper.

2. Print your greeting.

On your word processor, create a message that you will use for the popup card. This will make a professional yet personalized touch on your card. Make your message short but sweet. You can go romantic or cutesy, but don’t make your message an epic that’s hard to digest in one glance. When you’re done, print your message.

3. Cut and fold the paper.

Generally, greeting cards are not simply 8.5x11 papers that you fold in half. You will need to trim your card to make it a bit smaller. Next, fold the paper in half, making sure that your printed greeting will fit into the area. Then fold the paper again from the opposite side. Press the edge of the paper using a ruler.

Here’s how to make a heart popup: draw a half heart shape on the outside of the card so that when it’s opened, a full heart shape can be seen on the outer area of the card. Then fold the card and cut carefully through the heart’s edges. But be careful not to cut the entire heart shape. Just leave the edge along the upper part of the card uncut.

Now, open the card. Voila! The heart shape will pop up.
4. Do the finishing touches.

Paste your printed message on the inner part of the card. You can out drawings, stickers, or anything related to Valentine’s Day on the popup card.