Top Eight Ideas for Plan a Romantic Valentine's Day Date

This post is aimed at assisting you with how to set about making a romantic date for the one you love. It is especially appropriate for the less romantically inclined who just can't think of these ideas without prompting!

Steps :

1. Make a list of what you will need before you begin. For example, roses, chocolates, candles, stuffed animals (plushies), food, and romantic music.
2. Select something for dinner that you know you'll both like, so you can enjoy the meal together. If you haven't time to cook, order ahead at a good food store that specializes in take-home dinners (not just fast food). Order a special cake from a bakery (p�tisserie) and get some special wine or alcohol substitute that both of you love to share.
3. Shop for the roses, candles and stuffed animal(s). Choose them in pink, red, or white; or try a combination of all three colors if you like. Include a card in which you can write a personal, heartfelt message. Make the card yourself if you have the time, for that extra personal touch.
4. Arrange the roses, candles and stuffed animals in strategic places in your home. Make them appear in unexpected places to delight your loved one. Leave a sweet post-it note message stuck behind the bathroom door, next to the soap dispenser or on the coat rack. It's also a nice touch to scatter some rose petals around your home, perhaps on a staircase or on the welcome mat at the front door. Write a love note in the steam on the bathroom mirror so they see it when they get out the shower.
5. Start cooking your specially planned meal (if you're doing it) or put the purchased quality meals into warming-up containers ready to heat. Make sure that you have something sweet and romantic to finish the meal with.
6. Think of some heartfelt ways of presenting the food - arrange the salad in the shape of a heart; use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out bread pieces, pour a berry coulis for a cake in a heart shape.
7. Set the table with your favorite things, a candle, some flowers and put on softly playing music in the background. Leave a sweet message in the place that your loved one will be sitting.
8. After the meal is over, have chocolates and out-of-the-ordinary warm drinks planned ( for example, hot chocolate with a dash of liqueur or fruit syrup; latte coffee etc). Dim the lights and tell your loved one all the reasons why they are so special to you. Go beyond ordinary and think deeply about why this person really matters to you - stretch that word "love" into something with real meaning.

Share |

11 Ways To Make Valentine's Day Special on a Budget

Love with diamonds and a five star meal is neither a necessity nor necessarily a meaningful expression of love for Valentine's Day. Having the means to pay for expensive gifts and experiences does not relieve the giver from expressing love personally, nor does it relieve the recipient from returning such love personally.

If you're worried that your funds can't stretch far enough to give your beloved a Valentine's Day to remember, realize that the best experience on Valentine's Day is having your partner come away from it with the absolute knowledge that they're loved, cared about, and wanted. Save your money and still have a great Valentine's Day.

Steps

1. Avoid equating love with consumption. It's easy to get bogged down in the buying frenzy surrounding Valentine's Day, as retailers vie to rake in some decent profits from romance-inspired lovers. Love isn't about what you give in goods though; it's about what you give by way of time, attention, and acknowledgment of the other person. And none of those can be purchased. Once you view Valentine's Day from the perspective of it being about acknowledging and celebrating your love by spending time together, it's easier to realize that a budget Valentine is still a perfect date opportunity.

2. Minimize rather than do without. One of the tricks to saving money on Valentine's Day is to still indulge in some of the traditional Valentine's accessories but to reduce them. For example, instead giving her a dozen red roses, give her one, held in your teeth, and accompanied by your best impression of a Spanish dancer. Or, give him a special brand of chocolate bar instead of a whole box of expensive chocolates. In this way, you can still participate in the essence of Valentine's Day but spend very little.

 

3. Make your own. A homemade card is always more meaningful than a purchased one. It says not only what you write in it but also "I took the time to make this because I care enough about you to give that time." As far as mementos go, it's likely the card will be kept for many years to come! Other things can be made too, for gifts. Draw on your own skills when making gifts; for example, if you're a keen gardener, give something from the garden; if you're a keen cook, make something delectable; if you're a keen outdoor enthusiast, give a fully guided nature walk or a lesson in your favorite sport.

 

4. Think of something you can do for your love. An excellent way to show your love can be through making love coupons or vouchers. These can contain promises that range from the mundane to the downright sexy, all depending on your willingness to do things for your love. Make a large heart from construction paper, attach as many coupons as you're willing to give. Some examples include:

• This voucher is good for one week of dish washing by me, no questions asked.
• This voucher is good for guaranteeing one season of your favorite TV show to be shared with me. And a promise that there will be no channel surfing during said show.
• This voucher is good for one loving foot massage. To be redeemed any time.
• This voucher is good for one massage in a bubble bath. Any time of day or night.
• This voucher is good for a long snog in front of a movie of your choice.
• This voucher is good for the night of your wildest dreams. To be redeemed when you're in the mood.

5. Exchange cheesy but sweet gifts that remind you of one another, for whatever reason. You can either initiate this yourself, or suggest it as a Valentine's tradition for the two of you. The item should be very affordable, and recall some experience that the two of you have had together. Make a nice card that explains the gift but don't be too cheesy in what you write. For example:

• A cheap plastic snow globe with two hearts inside. Write that it reminds you of the night when she fell in the snow, and that when you came to pick her up, you couldn't help noticing how adorable she looked surrounded by snow.
• A plastic surfboard keyring. Write that it reminds you of the month the two of you spent surfing in Bali and how it was there that you realized you wanted to surf the rest of your life with him.
• A brooch featuring a computer and mouse. Write that it is a reminder of how the two of you met online and how you'll never forget the beauty of her first smile by video chat.

6. Give time. Giving time is the ultimate romantic gesture. It will mean a great deal if you're usually stretched for time and you choose to give up the whole day to spend with your beloved, doing things together that have nothing to do with work, raising a family, paying bills, etc. Banish the mundane and just allow the day to be about the two of you together. As part of this, be thoroughly attentive, listen, and take the chance to share dreams and hopes for the future, including renewing dreams that might have been taken for granted over time.

• If you can, find babysitters for the kids so that you're truly alone. If not, let the kids know that this is a day for "mom and dad" and get them helping in making it special.

7.  Create a special evening at home together. Make a meal in which you go to extra trouble. It doesn't have to be expensive food; just spend time making it more complicated and interesting than the usual daily meals. Look online for recipe ideas to help you turn ordinary ingredients into something fabulous. If you're going to watch a special DVD together, be sure to make some tasty popcorn to share.

• Spell "I love you" on the plate using food! Use your beloved's favorite food if you can.
• Make a love heart pizza.
• Playing boardgames is another entertaining option for passing the evening in fun rivalry. Or, set up a video or online game that the two of you can get deeply involved in, provided both of you really enjoy such games.

8. Stargaze. Put on warm clothes and step out to check out the night sky. If you have to travel, add picnic rugs, a thermos of warm drink, some snack bars, and a full tank of fuel. Find somewhere on the city outskirts where the sky is clear. Take along a star chart and look for stars that you know. Choose a star just for the two of you and make a promise to look for it every Valentine's Day.

9. Be spontaneous. Do the unexpected and thrill your beloved. Secretly learn a few dance moves and surprise her by taking out to dance. Memorize his favorite poem and recite it after dinner, then present him with a rose you've grown yourself. Make it appear as if the two of you are set to have a movie night in, then suddenly gasp: "Oh my! We mustn't miss ......" And drag her out the door to see the sun set, watch a movie, listen to a visiting band, or whatever else you think is most appropriate.

10. Take a walk down memory lane together. Take your beloved to somewhere they told you was special to them as a child. Spend time walking around it and asking questions about their feelings. Explain that it might not be the same as when your beloved was young but that now your beloved has two memories of the special place � one without you and one with you. Be sure to take a photo of the two of you there! Another way of remembering the past is to dig out old photos and go through them together. Look at photos from both your childhood times and your times together. It's great to have an excuse to enjoy all those photos that get stowed away and forgotten about!

11. Say "I love you". It doesn't cost anything but it says and means a great deal. Don't be shy; say it a lot during the day. Tell your love how you really feel. He or she will appreciate your honesty and it will mean more than any gift could.

Share |

Write a Valentine Poem That Rhymes

Be original and write your own funny but endearing Valentine's poem. You'll want to aim for a poem that flows well and more importantly, makes the object of your affection think you're the most intelligent, creative and downright gorgeous person they've ever known!

Steps

1. Choose your Valentine. This technique can be used on anybody: long-term partners, someone you've been dating for a few weeks, or someone you've got a secret crush on. The main thing is to make it rhyme and to include plenty of compliments.
2. Change the old to new. The old clich� of 'roses are red, violets are blue' is too retro and not so original. Nevertheless, it's a great basis for starting your own poem with; you just need to give it a modern twist. For example: 
   # 'Lilies are white, Daffodils are yella, I lie in bed at night, Feeling smug you're my fella!' etc.
   # You can pick any flower and any colour you like.
3. Find the rhyme. You can make anything rhyme; it's not as hard as it sounds. Just think of a sentence you might want to write to your loved one such as: 'You always make me smile'. Then just go through the alphabet trying out every letter that could rhyme with smile, for example: dial, file, I'll, mile, Nile, pile and so forth, until you find something that could begin to make sense in the third sentence. After working that out, build your next line around finishing with that word. For example:
   #'You always make me smile, When I'm down you come 'round, Your number I just dial, You lift my chin off the ground.'
4. Keep to the same theme. The theme should flow smoothly and not jolt from one metaphor to another without a smooth transition. For example, don't talk about how great your love is in bed on the one line, and how lucky you are to breathe the same air as them on the next. To avoid such a disjointed approach, look for ways to keep concepts together over at least two lines at a time. 
5. Decide your own length. There's no word limit, and once you get in the swing of things you might want to write pages and pages of witty yet touching prose, or you can just stick with four lines.
   # Note: Shorter versions are advised if you're in a new relationship or you're being a 'secret admirer' � you don't want to scare away with all the hundreds of obsessive things you've noticed about them while you were spying or making out!
   
6. Be genuine, not poetically perfect. You don't have to be clever or try and give Shakespeare a run for his money. As long as the poem sounds like you wrote it, then that's great. For instance, if you and your partner spend your time going clubbing and eating take-out food, lying around with one another and having a laugh, it might be a bit weird if you start mentioning how the sun shines on everything now you've met them, or that your heart beats to the sound of a thousand drums when you're together, etc. Keep it real.
7. Don't get hung up on rhyming. Not everything has to strictly rhyme. You're not doing English literature, you're just writing a love poem. And with that, enjoy writing it!

Share |

Simple Way to Say Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Message

Softly the leaves of memories will fall,
i�ll pick them up & gather them all,
coz 2day, 2moro & til my life is through
i�ll cherish having sum1 like u!

Valentine's Day SMS

Never waste an opportunity 2 say
�I love U� to someone U really like
B�coz it is not everyday U�ll meet the person
Who has the magic to let U fall in love.

Valentine's Day Quotes

Smile in Pleasure
Smile in Pain
Smile when trouble pours like Rain
Smile when someone Hurts U
Smile becoz SOMEONE still
Loves to see u Smiling!!

Valentine's Day Saying

No shadows 2 depress u
only joys 2 surround u
many friends 2 luv u
God himself 2 bless u
These are my wishes 4 u,
for today, tommorrow & everyday

Share |

10 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for 2011

As Valentine's Day approaches there are invisible pressures to purchase inspired gifts that are beautiful and tug directly at the heartstrings. Buying the usual assortments of chocolates and flowers are lovely gestures but are predictable and repeated on a yearly basis. Here are ten Valentine's Day gifts that will leave the recipient seeing you as the uniquely romantic partner they always wanted.

1. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Some romantic people believe that love is born amongst the stars. Enforce this view by treating your better half to a hot air balloon ride of a lifetime. A balloon ride can be booked in advance and does operate during the winter. Champagne and a flight certificate is given as part of the flight package. Toast each other while taking in breathtaking scenery is a gift that will surely never be forgotten.

2. Valentine's Day Dinner Cruise

Dinner is the perfect way to end Valentine's Day. The only downside is that the scenery never changes. Fix this by booking a dinner cruise along the River Thames in London. A four course meal is offered as well as live entertainment, dancing and a red rose per couple. Truly the perfect Valentine's Day dinner.

3. Bungee Jump

This is a gift for the adrenaline junkie. Most people wish to experience the feeling of free falling at least once in a lifetime but rarely pluck up the courage to try this sport. This gift can be bought and reclaimed at any number of famous locations across the United Kingdom.

4. Skydive

Another gift that is all about the thrill is skydiving. This gift need not cost a single penny either. Part of the appeal is that you can skydive for free in the name of charity. Get filmed with your better half jumping out of a plane while helping those in need. Fun and conscience in one fantastic package.

5. iPhone Leather Case

The iPhone is the must have gadget for 2011. Half of everyone has one, while the other half desperately want the phone. If your better half has this sleek chic phone then buy this beautiful leather case by designer Paul Smith. This case is blue with red piping and really is a decadent way of storing an iPhone.

6. Jewellery

Jewellery as a gift can be bought for either men or women. Beautifully crafted jewellery that is bought for Valentine's Day will last a lifetime. This makes this choice a gift that will keep on giving. Tiffany & Co have been America's premier jeweller since 1837 making them the first choice when wishing to purchase jewellery as a gift.

7. Swarovski

Swarovski crystal is by far the world's most well known crystal maker. The elegant design of every single piece of jewellery literally takes the breathe away. Whatever the style of gift Swarovski has an elegant piece to match the requirement. Gifts such as pedants, picture frames, necklaces and watches are just some of the gifts that can be bought in this stunning crystal.

8. Cinema

If your partner is an avid film buff then buying them a yearly cinema ticket is the perfect Valentine's gift. Buy an unlimited cinema card for your loved one and they can watch each and every film that catches their eye for the entire year. When Valentine's Day has long since passed this gift will keep on giving.

9. Eden Project

The Eden Project is a conservation project located in Cornwall in the United Kingdom. Featuring the world's largest greenhouse, the Eden Project is as much about education as it is conservation. The world's largest rain forest in captivity has steamy jungles and waterfalls all residing under one roof. Year round garden displays are on offer to all visitors. This present will not be wasted if your partner has an interest in nature and the environment in general.

10. iPad

The iPad is perhaps the most desirable technological device currently available. The iPad is Apple's first computer tablet. Touch screen technology combines with a fast mobile Internet to give the user style and function. The iPad is perfect for reading, surfing the Internet, drawing or designing a work application. Apple is offering a free laser engraved message for free with any iPad that is purchased from them. An iPad with a personal Valentine's Day message is a modern present in a digital world.

Share |

Top 10 Valentine�s Day Gifts For Her 2011

Valentine�s day is a day for love, and people express it with their partners by presenting them gifts and spending loveliest moments .
Well here we are telling you about the top ten gifts ( for her ) you can gift to your valentine!

1. An iPod, it�s the coolest gadget now a days to be gifted to your partner.

2. Traditional bouquet of Red Roses, nobody can beat this out.

3. A box of chocolates for your valentine is the all time favorite, even chocolate dipped strawberrys idea isn�t far.

4. A CD of romantic songs always makes you remember your loved one

5. You can also gift your loved one a mobile phone.

6. Girls are more into the jewelry things you can gift a perfect ring to her.

7. Air tickets for both of you to spend the weekend together at some exotic place.

8. You can gift your love a whole day that starts with a romantic movie, followed by warm candle lit dinner and ends with both of you gazing at the moon.

9. Another gift for your valentine is a photo frame having photos of both of you together.

10. Last but not the least is the perfume!


Share |

Source : www.tiptoptens.com

10 Tips for Get the Perfect Valentine's Gift for Your Boyfriend

Still looking for the perfect Valentine's gift for your boyfriend but worried you'll be swept away by Valentine's mania? Here are some tips on creating more personalized, caring Valentine's gifts for the special boy or man in your life that will show just how much you care

Steps

1. Find out what his love language is. People value different things when it comes to expressions of love. If your boyfriend feels most loved when he hears words of affirmation or receives physical touch, he will appreciate loving words or a back rub more than a gift wrapped bottle of after shave. If he values acts of service, think about something you can do for him -- perhaps a project or chore he's been putting off -- and do it!

 

2. Ask first! About a week before Valentine's Day, talk to your boyfriend and ask if he has anything special in mind that he'd appreciate. Don't badger him; just ask pointedly once and work from his answers. If he can't give you any, suggest that he thinks about it for a bit and to get back to you later that same day. If he doesn't have any ideas, don't pressure him!

3. Match your gift ideas with the type of romancing he fancies. Does he really appreciate a romantic approach that will involve booking a special restaurant for a five-course meal or filling the swimming pool with rose petals? Or is he more comfortable with just the usual night on the town with lots of laughter and favorite beers as the two of you pub crawl? Take advantage of what you know about him to craft the ultimate gift or experience.

4. Do something for him rather than giving him something. If he has long wanted his hair dyed black, you could buy him some hair dye and prepare a home salon and dye it for him. Make sure you feel confident enough to get it right! You could also do this for home pedicures, massages, a yoga lesson, being a style assistant for a new look, etc. - anything you have said you'd get around to helping him do or learn some day.

5. Go homemade. It's not just about buying stuff. Valentine's is really about showing that you care. Make your boyfriend a card that says how much you love him. Write a poem or some sweet prose. Anything to say how much you care about him and the reasons why. Many people just love being told the exact reasons why they matter so much; this can be the best gift of all.

6. Give a kiss for a gift! Guys sometimes would just like a passionate kiss. If you haven't given him one yet, wow, this will be special. But most of you will have already kissed; so it's how you present the kiss that matters. Take him somewhere unique and make the kiss something out of the ordinary. For example, take a trip up a cable car, take him in your arms in the cable car and say: "We are kissing on top of this mountain in a cable car because you put me on top of the world, I love you completely". Kiss so long that the crowd claps you both. 

7. Bake something for your sweetheart. Bake some heart-shaped cookies with hundreds and thousands and "I love you" printed on them in icing. Arrange in a box and present it to him with a card. 

8. Stock the bar or man cave. Stock up your boyfriend's favorite drink supplies as a nice surprise. Be sure to add some snack food treats as well, and perhaps even a book on making cocktails or the history of beer. You might also like to consider something he can hang in the bar, such as autographed sports, TV, or movie star memorabilia.

9. Decorate a photo of the two of you. Choose a perfect photo of the two of you, decorate a frame for it and write a little something to go with it, including why this photo means a lot to you. This is a very personalized and caring gift. You can even make a wallet-sized one and include a new wallet if you've got a good idea what sort of wallet he'd like. Put a good luck heart or coin in it as well.

10.  If you're out of ideas try some traditional stand-bys:

• Chocolates. Go for dark chocolates with strong flavors like rum and raisin, chili peppers, or peppercorns.
• A sweater or a t-shirt from a favorite brand or store.
• A subscription to a sports or business magazine you know he'll enjoy reading.
• A selection of his favorite movies. Check what he has already before buying though.
• A watch. Have it engraved with love from you. This suits the more serious couple.
• Grooming products. Help him to stay looking his best.
• Boxer shorts. There might be a hint tied up in this type of gift!
• Lingerie, let him unwrap it and then you wear it, just for him. Remember, men are visual creatures.

Tips

• Guys don't usually like glass, because that's a "guy-give-girl" thing.
• If he loves you that much, anything you do as he will love with all his heart and still give you kisses and hugs afterwards.
• Pay attention to his hobbies and activities. Guys are not always about drinking and sports. If he's into model planes, trains or ships, talk to the staff at the hobby shop he usually gets his supplies and find out what he's always looking at. Get him to show you his setup and plans, then get him something that's on his list without you having asked for something specific. Same thing if he collects comics or plays roleplaying games. A new game book or supplement can lead to an entire weekend of fun for both of you.
• A man who reads may appreciate a bookstore gift certificate.
• Many men like gadgets, especially multi-tool pocket knives and other knives. Find out if he collects these or likes them, watch him when you pass displays while going out shopping for something else. That can be a very romantic gift. You may find him using it on your behalf next time a bottle needs opening or something needs to be fixed!

Share |

Be Happy Being Single on Valentine's Day

Ah romance! It's for everyone, right? That's certainly the full throttle message of Valentine's Day marketing. Yet, this is a message that can undermine the determination of the single person to forge through this day unscathed by romantic themes. Whether you're single by choice or by circumstance, being bombarded by romantic comedies on TV, the romance novels and cutesy heart-shaped plastic gimmicks thrust into stores' front windows, and the drippy advertising everywhere can leave you feeling cranky, bothered, or even sad.

Being happy as a single on Valentine's Day is a state of mind reached by resisting the pressures to "couple up" and by celebrating the choices you've made and the way life is for you right now.

Steps

1. Get some perspective. If you feel sad because Valentine's Day causes feelings of loneliness and reminds you that you're "just" a single, it might help to realize that there are plenty of other single people experiencing Valentine's Day too. While some of them might be feeling as miserable as you, some of them are probably having a wonderful time sniggering at the pointlessness of Valentine's Day or not even bothering to give it any notice. And then there are many couples who resist Valentine's Day as much as possible, despairing of the pressure to conform to purchasing gifts and celebrating the occasion like clockwork and who find the commercialization of Valentine's Day crass even though they're in love. With this perspective in mind, it can be a little easier to stop sniffling into your handkerchief. 
2. 
   Love your singleness. Think about all the marvelous benefits of being single, from not fighting over the TV remote control to being able to keep your living space as clean or as messy as you'd like. The "couples" messaging is strong but it isn't a reflection of the full reality of how people choose to live their lives; don't fall for the hype that everyone's paired off and happy as a result. There are many very happy single people but it's just not currently fashionable to cover the happiness of being single in media or political discourse.

• Write a list of all the good points about being single. For example, free time, no compromises on the homefront, less responsibilities, etc. And think about how some of those good points would evaporate within coupledom. Focus on the benefits rather than seeing drawbacks.

• If people choose to rub your "singleness" in your face on Valentine's Day, be strong and reply with compassion: "I like being single. I get to choose how I want to live without having to make compromises, meals, or even the bed." And you might wish to mention that statistics reveal that half the community is single, with 51 percent of women, for example, living without a spouse. 

  3. Be happy within yourself regardless of your relationship status. Romantic tales often suggest that another person can complete you, with common sayings such as "my better half", "I was half the person without you", and "our two hearts beat as one" being readily asserted with few people stopping to assess what that actually means. If taken too seriously, this unhealthy perspective can mean co-dependence, loss of independence, and losing yourself in another person. That is hardly romantic! And does coupledom equate with happiness ever after? Divorce statistics and the stories of unhappy marriages seem to attest otherwise for a large group of people. Bear in mind that there's no need to change who you are, or to lose your liberty or your habits when you're single. Rather than feeling down on Valentine's Day, celebrate the strengths and achievements that testify to you being a whole and healthy person, a person who has space for love should it come along but who does not need such a relationship to create self-worth and happiness right now.

4. Avoid being swept away by the tide. You may be very romantic and long for your "soul mate" some day but patience may need to be your current virtue. There are plenty of Valentine's Days in a lifetime just as there are plenty of possible people with whom you could eventually fall in love. Sometimes what is difficult about surviving Valentine's Day as a single is the sheer preponderance of love messaging suggesting that you need to hurry or you'll risk missing the boat. If that were the case, then love in your senior years wouldn't be possible and that's just not true. Many romances spark throughout people's lives, no matter what age. In the meantime, love the life you're living and don't live for love.

• Remember what can happen to those who rush love and marry before knowing themselves. This can end in one partner realizing some day that they need to "find themselves" and the relationship suffers for it.
• Diapers are not romantic. Endless nights without sleep are not romantic. Don't rush before you're absolutely ready to commit; enjoy this single time, now or for as long as you intend it to last.

5. Treat yourself. As you're standing in the queue waiting to pay for your mundane everyday items, if you find yourself falling for the doe-eyed stuffed teddy holding a heart while wishing someone would send you one of those soppy cards, or you're salivating over the box of heart-shaped chocolates, consider treating yourself instead of beating yourself up. If that teddy is so cute you want it on your bed, give in. Or better yet, splurge on buying something you'd really like to have, like a bottle of perfume, a six-pack of European beers, a new coffee plunger, or a recent book by a favorite author. Don't make this day about deprivation!

• Do something decadent like attend a day spa all day long or go for a sightseeing flight over your city. Take along some friends if doing this alone feels weird.

6. Find out what's happening in the singles scene. A number of bars hold singles parties that will give you the chance to celebrate the day as an unattached person. Don't take your love expectations though; just go to have a great time and to discover some new people to talk to and share cocktails with. This isn't about falling for anyone out of loneliness!

7. Think of the money you're saving. The overly romantic person might reply "Ah but what price can be placed on love? It is priceless!" That kind of thinking can lead you to live a life of extravagance without focusing on the practicalities and the importance of validating relationships with words and deeds over expensive love tokens. Diamonds are expensive and they're not that good at relationship advice.

8. Love your exercise. If love has you in its grip, shake it off like you'd shake off the blues, with some good old-fashioned exercise. A run around the park, a skate across the rink, or a swim in the pool might be just the ticket to help you resist the more primal desires.

9. Consider the day after Valentine's Day. Will all those lovers continue whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears, will they keep surprising one another with candlelit dinners and trips down memory lane? It is to be hoped so. Reality however, suggests otherwise and we all, single or unattached, can fall into a habit of not acknowledging the people who matter in our life. Why not use Valentine's Day as a reminder to spend the rest of the year letting people know how much they mean to you. That will show your coupled friends that love is everywhere.

Share |

How to Avoid SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

How to Avoid SAD

When winter days get shorter, colder and darker, do you feel more melancholy or depressed than when the sun is shining? If so, you're not alone. Twenty percent of people in the United States react to the change of seasons with a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, Symptoms typically arise in the fall and winter months, but those who are not exposed to sunlight during the day may experience SAD all year long.

Below you'll understand how to recognize SAD and manage your mood throughout the year.

Instructions

1. Take Charge of Your Mood

The three troublesome feelings: hopelessness, depression and anxiety start to develop in the fall for folks who suffer from SAD. While these uncomfortable feelings can interfere with the quality of your day, there are things you can do to feel better and avoid feeling down. The first step is to acknowledge the feelings and then commit to doing whatever it takes to alter your mood. Take charge of your emotions; don't let your mood take charge of you.

2. Turn Negative Thoughts Positive

Negative thoughts increase the more you think about them. It is possible to see the bright side by focusing on a positive thoughts. For example, replace the negative thought, "There is nothing to look forward to," with "I will find something joyful today." Look for the joy. When your mind starts thinking negative thoughts, say to yourself: "Stop mind, I am looking for joy." You do control what you think. Ask yourself: "What would I like to think today?" To find inspiration, read a positive story, poem, or if you are religious, pray each morning to encourage positive thoughts.

3. Do Not Hide or Isolate Yourself

If your tendency is to hide away and keep sadness to yourself, when you're feeling down, then you might need help changing this habit. Get a buddy to keep you on track. Isolation increases hopelessness and makes your anxiety grow. Reach out to friends. Make dates for walking and talking. Getting some exercise and fresh air can help. Discuss new ways to get through the winter. Remind yourself that you are not alone. Many people cope with the seasonal blues. It can help to overcome them together.

4. Balance Movement With Rest

Rest, sleep, nap and move your body. To feel in balance we need rest and movement. People with SAD need as much as 10 hours of sleep in the winter, and that's OK, but if you find that you're sleeping more than that, you could benefit from moving. If you are prone to insomnia or nodding off in the middle of the day, getting out of the house will get the body working to uplift the mood. Fresh air, exercise, yoga or a walk around the block will lighten your spirit. Don't postpone this type of exercise. Don't make up excuses. Take charge and enjoy a happy, healthy winter.

5. Sit in Bright Light

A specialized light box designed to mimic sunshine will kick-start your brain chemicals without the side effects of medication. Make your home sunny and bright. Keep the blinds open, sit by the window, burn good-smelling candles. Creating a cozy home will help you feel safe, warm and ready to socialize.

6. Listen to Upbeat Music and an Inspiring Audio Book

Music is calming and energizing. In the morning put on energizing music and at night play calming sounds. Listening to a book on tape is entertaining and educational. Listening to a human voice can be soothing as well. Plus, you feel less alone when being read to. Go to the library and bring home books on tape. Hearing the story will distract you from anxieties, and the soothing voice will help you fall asleep at night.

7. Apply a Grateful Remedy

The quickest cure for hopelessness is counting your blessings. When you feel the seasonal blues overtake you, don't let those momentary thoughts and feelings stop you from being grateful. List five things that you are grateful for each day. Say them out loud daily, and soon you will have reprogrammed your brain to experience the joy of being alive. Gratitude is good for body and soul.

Share |

9 Steps to Dress Formal to Look Like a Gentleman

  Want to impress colleagues around you? Then, dress sharp. Follow these steps to dress formally.

Steps

1. Make sure your shirt is tidy and well creased

2. Wear a light shirt and dark pants or the converse of it.

3. Wear a tie that is contrasting with your shirt. (e.g. light tie for dark shirts or dark ties for light shirts)

4. Make sure your shoes and belt match.

5. Shoes must be well polished.

6. Wear a good quality tie. It adds to your grace.

7. Always keep a clean handkerchief.

8. Always wear dark coloured socks

9. Make sure your hair is neat and tidy.

Tips

    * Have a pleasant smile
    * Wear nice perfume; it will have magnetic effect.
    * Always get dressed in front of a mirror.
    * Make sure your nails are clean and cut neatly
    * Take time when shaving

Share |

9 Steps to Be a Modern Gentleman

If it seems like chivalry is dead, you'd be incorrect in assuming such. However, women recognize that it is becoming harder and harder to find the type of man who has long been termed "a gentleman".

Men, let's be frank; this article is for you. If you haven�t scored a second date recently � or ever � it may be time to reevaluate your dating technique. There�s no need to be in the dark when it comes to the right way to treat women. Becoming a modern gentleman is just a few steps away.

Steps

1. Understand that equality doesn't mean throwing your manners and good taste out of the window. The dating game is still about captivating one another, impressing one another, and being on your best behavior. Behaving in an ungentlemanly manner might get some laughs in the retelling and it might even temporarily attract a woman who is into the date for a lark but it won't get you a long-term commitment and it definitely won't win you respect. Boldly stating that women are equal so they can jolly well pay and put up with you as you are is a blinkered approach to dating. The importance of indulging in a little etiquette when dating will be repaid by a dating experience that is considerate, caring, and most of all, more fun because your date will definitely be impressed by your manners and what used to be referred to as "good breeding". So, it's time to dress well, plan a decent date, and polish up your gentlemanly ways.

2. Be on time. A gentleman never keeps his date waiting but is punctual and ready to go at the appointed hour. Set your alarm if needed, and plan how long it will take to arrive at your destination ahead of time.

• Don't be late without a very good excuse and be sure to phone her to explain what has happened to hold you up. She may not wait long, especially if she's had previous experiences with non-gentleman types standing her up.

3. Compliment your date. Women like reassurance when it comes to their appearance. A great way to make a positive first impression is by offering a compliment on your date�s appearance. Be cautious though. Using cliched pick-up lines and corny compliments would make most women sprint back to their apartments. Be careful not to come across as creepy. No girl likes to feel objectified. Keep the compliments light and innocent.

• Never insult your date. One quick way to guarantee you don�t get a second date is to insult your date. If you recognize that you are a person prone to criticizing, try to hold back on even the slightest criticism. Making any criticism, no matter how constructive you feel it to be, will probably come across as an insult which will start the downhill spiral of your date. If you recognize that you are a sarcastic or humorous person, be careful not to take a joke too far. Even if you�re joking, a woman may take your joke the wrong way. It�s best to avoid anything resembling an insult or a sarcastic tone altogether, and if it's politically incorrect, volatile, or gossip, don't say it.

4. Open doors for your date. Men, this is chivalry 101. When walking out of any door, make sure you hold the door open for your date and let her walk out first. This will make your date feel special and respected. There's no need to do this with flamboyant gestures though; just do it subtly and thoughtfully.

• Don't let the door slam on your date. This should be a given. When walking out of doors, it�s rude to walk out first, especially when that means letting the door close on your date. To women, this action signals selfishness. Men, if you�re afraid of looking like you care too much, don�t. It�s not a sign of weakness to open doors for your dates, in fact, it is just the opposite.

  5. Help your date to her chair before you sit down. This may seem odd because it doesn�t happen very often these days, but by pulling out the chair for your date so she can sit down first, this shows your date that you care about her interests before your own. It is also a very gentlemanly gesture liable to score you a big win in the manners stakes.

• Don't pull the chair out so she falls down. Remember how old you are; this kind of prank didn�t work in the sixth grade, and it definitely won�t work now. Your date will be embarrassed or shocked and if she doesn�t leave right then and there, she definitely won�t stick around for a second date.
• If you are eating with others at the table, wait until everyone is seated and ready to eat before beginning to eat. A gentleman does not bolt down his dinner.

6. Ask questions about your date. Be a good conversationalist. Don�t be afraid of awkward silence; instead, keep the conversation rolling by coming prepared with plenty of things to talk about. Your date will feel respected if you listen to what she has to say and she will be impressed if you don�t let the conversation drop.

• Don't play with your food, talk while chewing, yawn, etc. Being a modern gentleman means sitting up straight and looking your date in the eye when you�re talking to each other. Don�t spend too much time looking down at your plate � your mashed potatoes can�t talk back.
• Don't flaunt being wealthy or talk derogatorily about people who are wealthy. Both approaches show a total lack of refinement and cause the listener to squirm uncomfortably, wondering what personal takeover or revolution you're planning next. If you are wealthy and you want to make this evident, wear quality clothing but don't brag.On the other hand, no man needs to be wealthy to have good taste, so wear good, clean, and well-pressed clothing whatever your means.
• Make a small talk.

7. Be prepared to pay for you and your date�s meals. If she offers to pay, kindly refuse. Remind her that you are on a date and it is your pleasure to take the bill. There is a lot of confusion about this aspect of a date but a gentleman is never confused; a gentleman simply gets on with paying. 

• Don't use the ruse of leaving your wallet behind and expecting your date to pay. Even if you don�t "forget" your wallet, don�t expect your date to pay for her own meal. When the waitress comes by with the bill, don�t hesitate to grab it. By leaving it on the table for too long, your date might get nervous wondering if you�re going to pay.

8. Offer your arm when walking with your date. This is a gentlemanly act and it is also one guaranteed to help your date when she's walking on uneven ground in her high heels. While it is an intimate act, it is perfectly acceptable for a gentleman and means nothing more than being respectful.Always walk alongside a woman when walking down stairs, not behind her.

• It's also a good idea to help her to put on her coat when leaving a building during the colder weather.
• Always walk next to the road on a roadside; that way if there is any splashing from puddles, it'll hit you, not her.

9. Let your date know how much fun you had and offer a possible second date. Keep your boundaries by being polite and respectful. Women don�t like to feel forced into a goodnight kiss or anything more.

• Don't try to force any moves, especially if she seems unwilling. Treat her with respect. It is a huge turnoff when a man assumes his right to move in on his date.
• Maintain her honor. Never kiss and tell.

Share |

Steps for Make Valentine's Day More Meaningful

Forget the mass-marketed, red-hearted Valentine's Day pressure that starts heating up about now. Steer clear of high-priced flowers, tasteless candy hearts and stuffed bears. Follow these tips to make a significant other feel cherished. Show that Valentine's Day means more than romance and gifts. It means that person is the focus of your caring attention, dutiful doting and loving affection.

1. Concentrate on your partner. Focus on how special they are to you. Instead of stressing about the perfect Valentine's gift, think about all the fun, silly, spunky, sexy, serious and loving things that this person does for you. Think about who he or she is. What makes them smile? What are they truly passionate about? What small little things could you do every day that would make them feel more loved?

2. Under-promise and over-deliver. Make promises early and make them often�just keep them. No emergency is more important than love. Show your love and respect by honoring your time together and your commitments. Leave work early and call them on the way home to say you just couldn't wait to see them. Ask if they'd like you to pick up something special before you get there.

3. Be a mirror. We reflect the world around us, the good, the bad and the ugly. Be mindful of your partner's moods. When you're approached with love and joy, mirror it back and they'll feel especially loved and close to you.

4. Note it. Love notes are a sure way to inspire a loving connection every day of the year. They don't all have to be sappy poems. Buy a calendar, keep it in the bathroom and write a reason a day that you appreciate and admire your one-and-only. Follow the object of your affection to the store or the dry cleaners and leave a note on their car in the parking lot. Drop them in a purse or write them on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase pen for a pleasant surprise to wake up to.

5. Plan a dream date that won't cost you a dime. Tell this person that the only topic of conversation is to hear about their dreams, what they love, what they want to do before leaving the planet, what they'd like to learn, where they'd like to travel, and who they most admire. Let them talk freely without stopping and then write a few down later and help create those dreams.

6. Prepare a romantic meal or just pick up restaurant delivery on the way home or have one of the online gourmet delivery options deliver a five-course meal to your doorstep. Dim the lights. Play Sinatra or another one of their favorites and tidy up the kitchen , too!

7. Make the very last moment of your day together special by kissing them softly, accommodating a simple request like water or Kleenex, pulling the covers up to their chin, touching their forehead and telling them how much they're valued.

Share |

Give Unique Valentine's Day Gifts That Say What You Mean

 

To most men, Valentine's Day is the day you're supposed to buy flowers or candy for your wife or girlfriend. But to most women, Valentine's Day is about expressing your innermost feelings about someone. It's about saying how much you really value someone -- through the purchase of a material object, of course. Here's how to give Valentine's Day gifts she's bound to love.

Steps :

1. Think about the message you want to convey to her. Is it, "I think you're special", "You're so beautiful", or "I want to keep you guessing"? Whatever the message, there's an easy way to communicate it through your gift.

2. Match your gift to the message. This may sound easier said than done, but checking the Tips section might give you some ideas.

3. Get help from others. If you're just not sure how to express your feelings, get some advice from friends, parents or whomever you trust, but don't have some other person go gift shopping for your girl.

4. Consider the risk of getting your "hidden message" wrong. If anything about your idea could be misleading, don't go through with it. Take the safe route and keep it simple

5. Just say it. More often than not, the whole "saying it through the grapevine"-thing backfires. In many cases the lady would have preferred some heartfelt kind words to a gift.

Tips :

1. If your message is "I spent big bucks on you", you can buy her jewelry or go one step better than that by giving her the whole store -- well, buying her Tiffany stock. It's like owning the store, isn't it? (See the external links for more info on how to get a framed share of Tiffany stock for around $120.)(Be careful, many women won't see Stock in any store as romantic.)
2. To convey that the lady is special to you, you could get her a customized poem (although maybe a self-written one is more personal). Both Personal Creations and 1-800-flowers sell giant fortune cookies that can be personalized, free of charge.
3. If you are in an intimate relationship and want to compliment her looks, you may want to think about getting her lingerie. It is advised to find out nonchalantly if she would appreciate that as a gift, as some women feel objectified by this type of behaviour.
4. If you're unsure about your message or your relationship, try to set up an unusual date. Try something your girl might like. If she's an outdoorsy person, pack a picnic to share at sunset and spend some time on the blanket looking at the stars. This is especially romantic if you have a beach in the proximity.
5. If your girl is into arts, take her to an exhibition. Once there you can buy her the catalogue or a nice poster if she likes a piece very much. If she likes a certain band, get tickets to a concert near you.
6. If you don't know anything about a girl's hobbies or preferences, make sure you find out about them before Valentine's Day so you have some clues you can build your idea on.
7. Make a romantic scavenger hunt. Have romantic clues set up all over the house (or city), and make them search from place to place until they find the final prize (make sure the final prize is something extra special),

Share |

How To Ask A Girl Out On A Date

Let's say you've met a great girl, and you want to spend more time with her. But what if she's seeing someone else, or is in a serious relationship? You can still ask her out, provided you don't mind rejection and if you keep the following recommendations in mind.

Steps :

1. Try to find out how serious she is about the person she's dating. Are they dating casually? Or are they in an exclusive relationship? The easiest way to find out is to be direct: "Do you have a boyfriend?" or "Are you single?" If she says she doesn't have a boyfriend, or that she is single, just ask her out normally. Just because she's gone on a few dates with someone doesn't mean she can't go on a date with someone else.

2. If she's in a relationship, one thing you can do is be bold and ask her if she's happy. Or, ask her if she loves him. If you sense any hesitation, ask her out, making sure to let her know you won't overstep boundaries:

• "I haven't known you for that long, but you seem really cool, and you haven't convinced me that you're happy with your guy. Why don't we go out and talk? I won't make any moves. I respect that you're in a relationship. I just want to get to know you better, and figure out why an awesome girl like you would stay with someone who doesn't make her completely happy. Want to get a cup of coffee?"
• "Look, maybe I'm being arrogant here and tell me to pull my head in if you wish, but you don't seem to be all that sure about how you feel about this guy. A girl like you should be with someone whom she's passionate about. Why don't we go out and talk? I won't make any moves. I can respect that you're in a relationship. Let's meet for drinks later, okay?"

3. Another approach is to give her your contact information, telling her it's just in case she becomes single. Skip straight to giving her a way to contact you: "Here's my number. If things don't work out between you and that guy, call me and I'll take you out to dinner." If she's loyal to her relationship, or simply not interested, she'll throw your contact information away. But if she's interested, and her relationship is on the rocks, she might get in touch after they break up and you've done no harm just trying.

4. Take great care to steer clear of the friend zone. Just because she's in a relationship doesn't mean you can't make your romantic intentions clear, or else you might become the brotherly shoulder she cries on whenever there's trouble in paradise. Continue to remind her that you want to date her, you don't just want to be her friend (that is, you don't want to wait in the wings). And if she seems to be stringing you along, for example, she says she wants you around, but she stays with her boyfriend nonetheless, move on. Unless you're content being someone's backup, don't put yourself in line for being hurt; realize that even if they do break up down the track, she might decide "I don't want to ruin our friendship" or she just might want to be single for a while.

5. Avoid becoming a side dish. If she seems to really like you, demand that she break off the relationship before you do anything with her. If she cheats on him with you, not only is that pretty low on your part, but that brings her entire trustworthiness into question. And if she seems willing to cheat on her boyfriend, you might want to reconsider whether you want to be in a relationship with someone who's ready and willing to violate someone's trust, because next time it could be you at the receiving end of her unfaithfulness.

Tips :

• If you find out she's in a relationship, a flirtatious thing to ask smilingly would be "Is it, by any chance, an open relationship?"
• Best thing to do? Just don't make any advances. Seriously. Just let her be, and wait until mr wrong dumps her.
• Always stay confident. Whether you're asking her out or not, make sure you know who you are and what you like, and that you're not needy for her and will crack into pieces if she rejects you

Share |

Ten Great Tips For 2011

Ten Great Tips For 2011 :

1. Stay out of Trouble.

2. Aim for Greater Heights.

3. Stay Focused on your Job.

4. Exercise to Maintain Good Health.

5. Practice Team Work.

6. Rely on your Trusted Partner to Watch your Back. Take your Time Trusting Others.

7. Save for Rainy Days.

8. Rest and Relax.

9. Always Take Time to Smile.

AND

10. Realize That Nothing is Impossible.

Share |