On Valentine’s Day, all you need is love
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BY ERIN ANDERSEN / Lincoln Journal Star
Valentine’s Day is on the horizon.
Love. Roses. Candles. Sensuous chocolate. And lots of Cupid’s arrows flying around.
* Don’t give a cordless vacuum. There are plenty of occasions to give something practical like tools, kitchen supplies, etc., but not Valentine’s Day. If it’s gadgets you’re thinking of, give him a new cordless electric shaver for a more kissable cheek or an iPod Nano loaded with “your songs.”
* Don’t give someone an obviously expensive or cheap present. Make sure your gift is a thoughtful reflection of how you feel about your Valentine and how well you know him. It doesn’t matter how much you spend, it’s more important to show how much you care.
* Don’t forget him just because he says he doesn’t want a gift. Guys usually act cool, like they don’t care about Valentine’s Day but, honestly, who doesn’t like getting gifts? What are his hobbies? Fishing? Golf? Does he love to read? A gift card toward some fun, leisure time is very thoughtful if you don’t have a specific gift in mind.
” Source: Eva the Shopping Diva
at shoplocal.com
Real or imagined, Valentine’s Day comes with lots of pressure.
Do you eagerly anticipate getting and giving love trinkets? Or do you dread it?
Here are a few ideas to help you get through the day — regardless of whether you’re madly in love, suddenly single or somewhere in between.
Gifts for your valentine
Steamy, sweet and sentimental Valentine’s Day gifts ideas:
* Sweethearts — What’s Valentine’s Day without Necco candy conversation hearts? This year’s sweet messages have been inspired by Mother Nature, with sayings such as “Melt My Heart,” “In a Fog,” “Chill Out,” “Get My Drift,” “Cloud Nine” and more.
* Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer — The super-fine powder looks like crushed diamonds and leaves skin feeling cashmere-soft with a gorgeous hue that warms every skin tone and tastes delicious. Available for $28 at bootyparlor.com in three delicious flavors.
* I’m So Sexy Lip Gloss — Give lips a high-gloss sheen and some sexy pout plumping. Available in Peppermint Pink or Cinnamon Shine for $14 at bootyparlor.com.
*Naughty Bubbles Bubble Bath — Tuberose-scented bubble bath has tiny pearlescent shimmer beads to leave the body glowing. Available in 8.4 ounces ($22) and 2.1 ounces ($10) at bootyparlor.com.
* Melt Chocolate Body Fondue — Melt is preservative-free and virtually fat-free and comes with its own paintbrush. Cost: $14. Available at bootyparlor.com and victoriassecret.com.
* Massage a Trois — a trio of massage oils come in a boxed set. Available for $28 at bootyparlor.com and victoriassecret.com.
*“The Dictionary of Love” — Written by John Stark ($14.95 paperback), this book is packed from A to Z with definitions for every word, phrase or name that has a love connection.
* “What Happy Couples Do: Belly Button Fuzz and Bare-Chested Hugs — The Loving Little Rituals of Romance” — Written by Carol J. Bruess and Anna D.H. Kudak ($14.95), this little book examines the romantic, silly and sometimes downright strange rituals of happy couples from around the world. A fun read and even better idea source.
* “Voodoo You Love” Book and Kit — The $7.95 kit includes tips — and voodoo doll — to help you get lucky, or even, or just plain get over it. Kit comes with a two-sided doll (one side is male, the other is female), eight puns and a witty 80-page guide.
* “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Book of LOVE” will tell you everything you need to know about that mysterious emotion and its trappings. Read about the world’s most extravagant diamonds, the origins of some of our favorite love songs and great romances in history. Find out what makes lipstick shimmer, how children define love, why brides wear veils, wacky ways to get married, and much more! Book sells for $12.95 and is available in book stores.
Love yourself this Valentine’s Day
Are you on your own? Suddenly single? Or just taking a break from boyfriends for a bit?
That’s no reason to skulk around on the holiday that celebrates romance — just turn the focus on you or others, says Ruta Fox, president of www.divinediamonds.com and creator of the “Ah Ring,” a diamond ring designed especially for single women.
You don’t have to be in a relationship to appreciate the holiday of love, says relationship expert Audrey Valeriani, author of “Boot Camp for the Brokenhearted: How To Survive (and Be Happy) In the Jungle of Love.” Rather than focus on the absence of a spouse or partner, spend the day doing things that makes you feel good, she said.
Fox takes it a step further and encourages unattached women to celebrate the freedom of doing what they like want with whom-ever they want.
“Just get up on Valentine’s Day and affirm the fact that you’re going to have a wonderful Thursday — and laugh that at least there won’t be any whining children, carpooling or a lazy couch potato other half to worry about,” Fox said.
Here are Fox’s suggestions for enjoying the day — or night:
1. On Wednesday, pick up some gorgeous flowers that will add beauty to your home and will be the first thing you’ll see when you wake up.
2. Take a test drive of your fantasy car.
3. Check out something you really want to do, but have not had time to do. It may be an art exhibit, a new store or boutique or just a new neighborhood that you’ve wondered about.
4. Leave work early and duck into an afternoon movie or two.
5. Buy a new makeup item in a fantastic new shade for spring.
6. Pop into a travel agency and pick up some brochures for an exotic new locale, or go online and check out Web sites for places that you have been dying to go to.
7. Spend some time being inspired by nature, either a local park, garden or hiking trail.
8. Stop by to see your young nieces and nephews and bring them heart-shaped cookies from the local bakery.
9. Check out a comedy club, or a golf driving range, ice skating rink or tennis court for instruction. Or sign up for a tango lesson, wine/cooking class or music lesson.
10. Have afternoon tea or crazy themed cocktails with girlfriends at a new place everyone is talking about. Or try karaoke, or invite girlfriends to your place for champagne.
11. Buy a sexy new nightgown, some luxurious bath goodies, grab a glass of wine and cozy up with Netflix or a pile of new magazines.
12. Attend a sporting event —that’s where the men are any night of the week.
“And, remember,” Fox said. “MOST guys hate Valentine’s Day, too!”
Close to home
Attend the “Wings of the Heart” event at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island on Valentine’s Day. From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday is a preview reception for the 20th annual Wings Over the Platte Art Exhibition and Sale which runs Friday through April 11. The Valentine’s Day event will feature roses for the first 50 attendees, music and a chocolate fountain along with an assortment of delectable chocolates.
Guests will be allowed to view the entire exhibition as well as the artwork of Hal Holoun, this year’s featured artist. Keanna Leonard, from Rowe Sanctuary, will present “Crane Love” at 7:30 p.m., focusing on the social and family behaviors of the Sandhill cranes. Cost is $5 per person/$8 per couple. Call Kari Stofer at (308) 385-5316 ext. 215.
If you’re the other woman …
Valentine’s Day can be one of the loneliest days of the year if you’re the “other woman” in a relationship, says Sarah Symonds, author of “Having an Affair?” ($19.95 paperback).
Instead of feeling left out, use this day of love to make some changes. Symonds suggests:
* Take a look at what you want out of life and out of him. You might surprise yourself.
*Remember that you do have a choice. The choice to be in any relationship is yours, despite what your emotions might tell you.
* Consider online dating, speed dating or anything at all to get you closer to your goal of a successful and loving relationship.
* If your other half isn’t with you on Valentine’s Day yet he tells you that he loves you, wants to be with you but can’t, etc., it might be time to wake up and change the relationship.
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