A Day 4 Love

2011 could be dream year for tech-toy lovers

2011-02-25T02:10:00.001-08:00

A stunt car powered by light. Check. A table-top version of a popular iPhone game. Check. A battery-powered sweet-talking boyfriend doll. Check.

These are some of the items the U.S. toy industry hopes will help it rebound from a lackluster holiday sales season in which demand petered out after a strong start.

The top U.S. toy fair kicks off Sunday in New York just weeks after toy makers Hasbro Inc and LeapFrog Enterprises Inc shocked investors with a weak finish to the biggest selling season of the year.

"The buying patterns of the consumer have been permanently adjusted ... At least for the foreseeable future, they are tighter with their money, looking for specials," Jakks Pacific Inc Chief Financial Officer Joel Bennett said.

The 2011 lineup from industry goliath Mattel Inc to Hasbro to smaller companies such as Canada's Thinkway Toys will show how new technology and even iPhone apps are becoming the driving forces behind the latest playthings.

One of Mattel's bets for 2011 is the "Angry Birds Knock On Wood" game, a tabletop version of the current No. 1 paid game app for Apple Inc's iPhone . Inspired by 2010's top-selling music iPhone app, Jakks Pacific will tout a microphone that auto-tunes what you sing into it, making you sound like rapper T-Pain .

"A great game transcends the platform," Tim Kilpin, executive vice president of Mattel Brands, said.

Many toy makers are also jazzing up their traditional brands with hi-tech attachments or a social network avatar or an iPhone app to woo increasingly tech-savvy kids.

"It is clear that consumers are expecting to experience brands across digital and analog platforms in any form or format they want, anytime and anywhere," Hasbro Chief Executive Brian Goldner said.

Trend watchers agree.

"(Toy makers) really (need to) be aware of what is happening in the social media space and what's happening in mobility," said Reyne Rice, trend specialist for the Toy Industry Association.

"As smartphones become more prevalent in society and parents trade up to their second or third smartphone ... the other devices are going to be handed down to kids," she said, adding that she expects children to use the devices more to play games rather than to make calls.

Mattel's $20 "Sweet Talkin' Ken" doll will feature a built-in microphone and can record up to five seconds of sound, while Hasbro's $25 Jigazo puzzle will be powered with advanced software. The new Hot Wheels Videoracer cars will sport video cameras, while Jakks will look to woo gaming fans with "Kinectables" plush.

BALANCING ACT?

U.S. toy retail sales rose 2 percent in 2010 after declines in 2009 and 2008, with sales in the recent holiday quarter up 3 percent over the prior-year period, according to market research firm NPD Group.

Despite the overall sales rise, many toy makers saw demand falling late in the season when retailers applied brakes on discounts.

"Consumers are certainly looking for value," Hasbro Chief Executive Brian Goldner said.

Toy makers from Mattel to Jakks agree they are stuck in a tough spot between rising costs and bargain-hungry shoppers.

"We really do have to find that balance," Mattel's Kilpin said, adding that despite Mattel's plans to take some price hikes, the company will keep 80 percent of products in its portfolio priced below $20.

"There is no question it's a challenged environment," Kilpin said. "We are working that balancing act."

STAR POWER

Toy companies are also counting on movie superheroes for a significant sales boost this year.

On Thursday, toy retailer Toys R Us Inc unveiled its first-ever collection of wood vehicles, track and playsets based on the Disney Pixar movie " Cars ." Mattel, Lego, Spin Master all hold licenses for the " Cars 2" toy line.

Hasbro's lineup includes toys based on " Transformers -- Dark of the Moon," while Jakks is betting on upcoming movies like "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and "Real Steel." Mattel is also looking for some boost from the Warner Bros film "Green Lantern."

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan; Editing by Gary Hill)

Tips And Tricks - Love Is Great - Welcome! Value Love when you have it!

2011-02-25T02:08:00.001-08:00

I value the love I have. I love a beautiful girl named Marife, who is a great mother (of Merry Fe and Mark ... love them!), and a loving member of her family. After knowing her as a good friend since 2006, I finally met her in person January 15th, 2009 ... and that is when I fell for her. The minute I saw her I knew I wanted us to be together. Amazed me ... still does.

I also love my daughter Sarah who is a great daughter. I also love the friends and family I have who have been supportive and I have been supportive to them ... mutual caring is good ... some for many years and others for many days. People are caring and loving if you let them. And yes ... we have cats ... which are good for showing love (when they feel it is a good idea ... sigh).

Check your life and think about who loves you ... Life is worth living, there is love in pretty much everyones life if you pay attention. And don't forget to let those you love know that you love them ... and let them know often!

Love And Dating Tips And Tricks Love & Loving Relationships are in everyone's life!

2011-02-18T22:22:00.001-08:00

Hopefully, you will find this site VERY helpful in finding out about love, finding people to love, expressing love, and realizing the love you have in your life. That is the intention.

LoveIsGreat is the result of my redirecting in a positive way my feelings for a girl who was my girlfriend after we broke up in 1998. I didn't understand the overwhelming feelings I had for her and so I did a search for the answer. Turned out it was "true love" and the information in the About Love area is the result of that search. Since then I have learned a lot about more about love and hope to share it with you.

See, I started the site on the very day that she broke up with me. What I learned about losing a loved one is in the Broken Hearts area. Romance & Relationships reflects information I collected for the future, and experiences from my past too. Loving Gifts area contains gifts I loved to give (and ones I do give to friends and my daughter). Plus, ones I would like to give. Dating & Finding Love is a good area to look at if you are in that stage.

The Love Q & A area is where you can ask questions and get answers from others on the site ... and I will answer when possible too. You can also join the LoveIsGreat.com Love Club and communicate with others who are interested in love. If you are single, maybe you will find a mate. If you are married, taked, or not looking you can join and find friends or people to talk to about a nice subject ... love.

About Love - Scientific Answers About Love, dating on love, online dating, Scientific Answers

2011-02-18T22:21:00.001-08:00

Researchers (Hatfield & Rapson, 1995) have broken up love into two main types:

Passionate love which involves continuously thinking about the loved one and also involves warm sexual feelings and powerful emotional reactions.

Companionate love is having trusting and tender feelings for someone who is close to you.

Now one of the best known theories of love (which means an educated guess that isn't proven fact) is Robert Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love.

The three components of the Triangular Theory of Love are:

Passion, the feeling physically aroused and attracted to someone.

Passion is what makes you feel "in love" and is the feeling most associated with love. It also rises quickly and strongly influences and biases your judgment.

Intimacy, the feeling close and connected to someone (developed through sharing and very good communications over time).

Intimacy is what makes you want to share and offer emotional and material support to each other.

Commitment, pledging to your self and each other to strengthen the feelings of love and to actively maintain the relationship.

Commitment is what makes you want to be serious, have a serious relationship and promise to be there for the other person if things get tough.

Now Sternberg also uses his Triangular Theory of Love to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about love:

Is there love at first sight?

This is when we are overwhelmed by passion, without any intimacy or commitment (both of which take time). Sternberg calls thisinfatuated love, Because there is not intimacy or commitment, infatuated love is fated to fade away.

Why do some people get married after being in love for a very short time?

This is a combination of passion and commitment, but without any intimacy. Sternberg calls this Hollywood love. This is where two people make a commitment to each other based on their passion. Unless intimacy develops over time, this relationship most likely will end.

Can their be love without sex?

Ah yes, companionate love, where intimacy and commitment are present without any sexual passion.

Why doesn't romantic love last?

Passion and intimacy without commitment is Romantic love. When the passion fades, and the intimacy wanes, the relationship ends.

This a close friend sent me e-mail:

Infatuation vs. Love

Infatuation is instant desire - one set of glands calling to another.

Love is friendship that has caught fire. It takes root and grows, one day at a time.

Infatuation is marked by a feeling of insecurity. You are excited and eager, but not genuinely happy. There are nagging doubts, unanswered questions, little bits and pieces about your beloved that you would just as soon not examine too closely. It might spoil the dream.

Love is the quiet understanding and mature acceptance of imperfection. It is real. It gives you strength and grows beyond you - to bolster your beloved. You are warmed by their presence, even when they are away. Miles do not separate you. You have so many wonderful little films in your head that you keep replaying. But near or far, you know they are yours, and you can wait.

Infatuation says, "We must get married right away. I can't risk losing them."

Love says, "Be patient. Don't panic. Plan your future with confidence."

Infatuation has an element of sexual excitement. Whenever you are together, you hope it will end in intimacy.

Love is not based on sex. It is the maturation of friendship, which makes sex so much sweeter. You must be friends before you can be lovers.

Infatuation lacks confidence. When they're away, you wonder if they're cheating. Sometimes, you check.

Love means trust. You are calm, secure and unthreatened. They feel your trust, and it makes them even more trustworthy.

Infatuation might lead you to do things you will regret, but love never steers you in the wrong direction.

Love is an upper. It makes you feel whole. It completes the circle. It fills the empty space in your heart. Love is elevating. It lifts you up. It makes you look up. It makes you think up. It makes you a better person than you were before. If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things you don't have. If there is no love in your life, whatever else there is has a lot less meaning.

The secret of our being is not only to live but to have something to live for.

Labels: About Love, dating on love, online dating, Scientific Answers

Love and Dating - Advice For Men Woo Her With Flowers

2011-02-18T22:19:00.001-08:00

Women are not like men. Many men forget that, when they enter into a romantic relationship. Women look at things differently and their choices are different. Men miss small patterns of behavior many times that can make them a big success with women. In this section, we talk about what men need to know about relationships with women to succeed and what are the common pitfalls that have to be avoided to get the woman of your dreams.

Woo Her With Flowers

Women and flowers have a love-love relationship since ages. Emperors used to order development of flower gardens just for their queens. Flowers are the eternal symbols of love. On your first date, take a bunch of flowers for your date. These need not be too expensive. Don't take red Roses. Take yellow Roses instead if you wish to take Roses. You can take lots of other flower varieties like Tulips, Lilies, Asters, etc. Pick up a fresh, good looking bunch and present it to her.

On your second/third date, when you think you are serious about her, woo her with Orchids - which are considerably expensive. Women always love flowers. So you will be in her good books!!

Will You Win Women? - For Men

The question every man asks himself. What about you? Take the quiz to know your own result.

Can You Converse Well With Women?

Find out if you can converse well with women. Take this fun dating quiz now…

Romantic Feelings - Love And Dating - Women Tips And Tricks

2011-02-18T22:17:00.001-08:00

Romance, the eternal subject for most of the poets. Romance, the life giving force. Romance, that changes perceptions and romance makes a dull night a night of poetic thoughts. Romance turns an ordinary flower into a lover's gift to be preserved forever. Romance produces letters that are saved for generations. Romance makes everything look happy and cheerful.

Romantic feelings change perception. One who had never thought of reading a poetry, begins writing one. That is romance. One who is in romantic love, will have no complaints with the world. Even if the traffic does not move for hours, the romantic lover excuses everyone. That is romance.

Romance changes the way we look at the world. We see only good and every bad thing becomes either good or tolerable for us. Romance makes us magnanimous in thoughts. Romantic feelings make us sit alone and live in our own dreams. We need no one except ourselves to enjoy the thoughts of our romance. We want to be left alone and feel total peace and joy. During romance, every lip smiles, and every eye shines with the light of love.

Romance brings a new God in our life. Our beloved. Some romantics are ready to kiss the place where his/her sweetheart stepped. Romance is to be experienced and not talked about. Romance brings more hormonal changes in body than any medicine and has a definite effect on the heartbeats. They increase at the thought of the beloved. That is romance and to be in romance is to experience the joy of heaven.

There are many emotions and most of us experience all of them except romance. Emotions such as anger, nervousness, sadness and others like these are experienced by all of us. But few experience romance. There is a popular story in India of two romantic lovers. Laila and Majnu. Laila was the princess and Majnu was the son of a washerman. Once, it so happened that Majnu's father asked him to deliver clothes to the palace. There Majnu happened to see Laila and he fell madly in love with her. Since that day, he forgot everything including food, and was only asking for Laila. Some days passed, and this news that Majnu had gone mad in love with Laila reached the king. The king asked his Prime Minister about what could be done to help Majnu in this distress. The Prime Minister suggested that if Majnu wanted to buy anything from any shop, he could buy it for free. The palace would pay to the shopkeeper.

This news brought in many new Majnus. They bought things and behaved like the original. The palace started getting bills in plenty. The king was more worried now and again consulted his Prime Minister. The suggestion was simple - declare that Majnu will be killed after seven days by the palace. This announcement made all the actors run away for their life. Only the original Majnu was left out. He had no care for his life.

This made king think again and he got Majnu married with Laila. Majnu got Laila because he wanted nothing except her. His own life was worthless for him. What mattered was only Laila. This is romance.

Why Do You Have A Partner?- Love And Dating - Women Tips And Tricks

2011-02-18T22:16:00.001-08:00

Why Do You Have A Partner?

From what one reads in forums on relationships, it seems that most of the relationships manage to give more pain than joy after some time. The rise in divorce rates is an indicator to this. Why have relationship if that will give more pain than pleasure to both the partners? Do not you also ask this question? It is becoming so difficult to keep a healthy relationship that one feels that he/she is coming from one office to another office. Where is the home with freedom, acceptance and love?

Relationships are becoming ego problems. Communication needs to be guarded. Wishes have to be taken care of. Sacrifices have to be made. Individuality has to be killed. Compromises have to be made at every step. Even after making many compromises, the relationship may break. One feels broken after making so much effort and find that nothing was of any use. It seems that either most of us are getting caught up with wrong partners or the break-ups occur very fast.

When I watch children playing, birds flying and fish swimming so carelessly, I envy them. We adults have lost all the freedom because of relationships. Most of us at least have lost a lot that was individual. Why have relationships if they are expected to fail. Is it triumph of hope over reality as someone said? Even when we look around and find so many broken relationships, we tend to form new. After having repeated break-ups, we want more. Why do we do that, though we know that the result is more pain? What drives us to form new relationships? Why not live alone and enjoy the independence?

How Similar Are You And Your Partner?

Lovers with similar interests have a great relationship, say people. What about you? Take this quiz to know about your relationship.

Are You Enhancing Your Partners Self-Esteem?

Increasing your partner's self-esteem can do wonders to your relationship. Take this quiz to know where you stand.

Will Your Partner Dump You?

Will your partner dump you? Find out now. Take this quiz…

Relationship Quiz- Test your loyalty quotient

Test your loyalty quotient now. Take this quiz…

Love Dating - Tips and Tricks

2011-02-18T22:13:00.001-08:00

Many men think that there is no place for chivalry these days. Girls may insist that they are independent and prefer doing things themselves. But being a little chivalrous at times never hurts. Every girl likes being treated specially. So opening the car door for your girl or pulling the chair back for her somewhere always earns you brownie points. Your girl will love you for the attention.

Can you persuade a girl to like you?

Find out if you can persuade a girl to like you. Take this fun dating quiz now…

Does your smile impress girls?

Take this fun dating quiz to determine if your smile impresses girls…

Are You A Nice Guy?

How would you describe yourself- a nice guy or adventurous, funny, alpha male? It is important to find out how people perceive you? What women think about you? Why am raising this issue- because it may matter a lot when you are asking a woman for a relationship with you. While talking, you may find that women say that they prefer a nice, home loving guy, but look around carefully. Think about which of your friends got a woman of their choice- was that friend known as a nice guy or something else? There may a subconscious appeal for adventurous guy in a woman. Or she may be looking for somebody more different- most popular guy, a sportsman, a funny guy, a strong man and so on.

Do not get blinded by what the woman you desire says. Find out what she REALLY wants. That may be different than the description she gives.

Can you persuade a girl to like you?

Find out if you can persuade a girl to like you. Take this fun dating quiz now…

Does your smile impress girls?

Take this fun dating quiz to determine if your smile impresses girls…

Improve Your Relationships

Relationships are complex things, but following these basics will help you make your relationships healthy and strong.

When in doubt, listen first and check to see if you have understood the other person by asking them questions. Often relationships go awry when people feel they aren't being heard or understood and sometimes it's important just to listen. You have to know what they want, not what you think is good for them. Listening is what helps us to find connection with each other. This also means you need to tell others what you really feel, think, and want. You can't feel connected if you don't voice these things.

Communicate simply when it is most critical that they hear you. Get clear in your own mind what kind of outcome you would like and try to state it in the most simple and specific terms. You will more likely be understood the more clear you can be, and often that means fewer words, not more. Sometimes repetition is necessary in getting through to someone what is really important to you.

Always show respect. Respect means listening, accepting a no when you are given one, not taking them for granted, being honest in your dealings with them, and not criticizing often or discouraging them. It is also important that you do not try to control others, and just as important that you show respect to yourself and ask that they treat you the same or be willing to walk away.

Know when it isn't a healthy relationship. Just because you care about someone doesn't mean you should be in a relationship with them at this time. They should be good for you, not addicted to anything, not controlling or abusive in any way, and make you feel secure and happy. It is not possible to make a relationship work with someone who doesn't care about you, or who abuses a substance or you, so don't try.

Seek to be good for others and don't tear them down. People like to be with those who make them feel good and who are good for them. Lighten up and have fun together and your relationship will grow.

Are You Communicating Well In Love?

It is said that great lovers are best friends and super communicators. What about you, test now.

Dating Quiz- Do You Over Talk During A Date?

How much do you talk on a date? More or less? Find out with this quiz.

Relationship Quiz- The Honest Date Test

Are you a honest date? Take this fun quiz to find out right away.

Dating Quiz- Do You Have Faith In Your Partner?

Faith - the pillar of any relationship. So what about you? Do you trust your partner totally?

Does morning sex excite you?

2011-02-16T11:55:00.001-08:00

'It's in the morning I wanna touch, it's in the morning I wanna love you, it's in the morning no interruptions, it's in the morning ... " goes singer Robin Thicke's popular number 'It's in the morning', but do women really warm up to men's desire for a great 'morning wood'?

When I wake up and see her soft, undressed body beside me, her eyes closed and mouth slightly open, like a dainty little angel that just fell from the sky, I feel a burning desire to love her, badly. These are the feelings of men who wake up with a hard-on, and men who are simply in love with the idea of morning sex. Unfortunately, most women do not share the same enthusiasm for morning glory as they feel bedroom activity is best reserved for nighttime. The sexual expressions of men and women have for centuries been a subject for debate. Here's a lowdown on why men crave for a steamy sexual romp at that hour, while women would rather get on with the day, pronto.

Says Dr. Kamal Khurana, a Delhi-based marriage and relationship expert, " Sex is a biological need, and you tend to relish it most when relaxed. A man feels most expressive when he wakes up as fantasies are touching him at that hour. And to find his partner lying next to him triggers an urge for sex." Dr. Khurana believes that place and availability are also reasons to initiate early action among men. "But in the case of women, she needs to be emotionally triggered first," he adds.

Then why do women not feel that emotional connect in the very hours, and are in a rush to begin the day? "In India, such a trend has been identified only in the last decade. In today's scenario both the partners go for work and return spent at the end of the day. The stress levels are very high at nighttime, and to get into the mood for a stormy lovemaking session may not come naturally," explains Dr. Bhavna Barmi, senior clinical psychologist at Escorts Heart Institute.

She relates women's abstinence from sex first-thing-in-the-morning to their higher emotional and sexual maturity. "Men would first like to rejuvenate and then start the stressful day ahead. Blame it on the multi-tasking required right from the morning of a working woman. From showering, readying breakfast, to packing off the kids, if any, to school, it is multi-taking all the way for her. While, the only responsibility of a man is to look after his personal hygiene and plan the day ahead," she elaborates. "And sex can become a tad mechanical when both the partners are not at the same emotional level," she adds.

Dr. Rajendra Barve, a psychiatrist at the IIT hospital, Mumbai, feels that this brief mismatch in their need for physical intimacy can cause serious strain on a relationship. "There is more freshness in the morning, the growth hormones are pumping, and the vigour of the body is restored from a good night's sleep. But when a woman wakes up, she is pre-occupied about the daylong chores and may not be instantly switched on by the idea," says Dr. Barve. Perhaps, a woman's way of looking at sex is very different from that of men. As Dr. Barve reasons, "A woman feels the urge for sex when she is emotionally aroused, while a man's sex drive is governed by power, and a tendency to win over situations."

"At that hour, if a couple do not experience an emotional and physical high in unison, it can get very difficult for them in the long run. And lovemaking would, little by little, turn into a mundane act between them," he says. But is there a way men can get their women interested in morning glory?

"As the man you need to wake up a little early and finish with your washing up, before slipping back into the covers again – fresh and fragrant - next to her," says Ashish, 33, a team leader with an international banking company. To keep a condom handy is another sensible thing to do, he tells us. "A woman likes to be woken up gently, and showered with plenty of caresses and kisses as she opens her eyes," shares Aditi, 28, an engineer who has recently tied the knot.

After all it's not that difficult to get your girl interested in morning sex, simply do not scurry, and remember patience and understanding her mood are most valuable in that glorious hour. Start with a warm welcoming smile, follow it up with a tender kiss on her forehead, and you will manage to get that sensual moan out of her! What say??

10 things men should never ask women

2011-02-16T11:53:00.001-08:00

A list of 10 top dating tips to guide men on what they should never say to women.

There is nothing worse than making mistakes that will later be regretted and one way to avoid them is to remember the following.

First of all , a man should never ask a woman if he can kiss her, as she will only say, a man should never "ask" for a kiss.

Asking her for a kiss will only make a man look like a boy, which is what a woman is not interested in, and even if she says "yes", it could mean she is just being polite, while on the inside her attraction meter will read a firm, "No".

Secondly , a man should never ask a woman if he can take her out on a date sometime, as she would like to be with a man who is a leader and in control, not someone who asks her permission to hit on her.

A man should confidently ask a woman out, by simply saying, "We should hang out... what's your number?" or tell her about a specific place he wants to take her to.

Thirdly , a man should never brag about the car he has or the kind of house he lives in, as it would seem like he is trying hard to impress her.

Women would be far more impressed by a man's material possessions if he does not mention them in conversation.

The fourth thing a man should never ask a woman is what she wants to do for the night, as she likes a "man with a plan".

The man needs to have a game plan before he calls her, so as to ensure that she will not be burdened with having to think about what to do.

Fifthly, a man should never ask a woman if she likes him, as this is one phrase that turns off a woman completely.

He should just assume that she likes him, and never ask the question, as it would look like he has no confidence.

The sixth tip is that a man should never ask a woman why she never answered his message, as one, it would show that he cared she did not reply back, and two, it would give her a guilt trip, which is seen as insecurity by women.

The seventh tip is that a man should never ask a woman how men she has slept with, as this shows that he is suffering from insecurity.

The eighth tip is that a man should never hint at a future date with a woman he has just met, as she not only wants but needs a guy who is somewhat of a "challenge", and will lose interest if she senses she has won.

The ninth tip is that a man should never end a phone conversation with a woman with a "next step", as firstly it would kill any spontaneity by being predictable, and secondly he would kill any chances of her calling him.

The tenth tip is that a man should never talk bad about a woman's guy friends especially if he hasn't met them and doesn't know her very well, as this is the fastest way for her to mark him as "insecure".

Seduce Your Girlfriend or Wife - for starters

2011-02-16T11:52:00.001-08:00

If you are like most guys you are probably at a loss for what you can do to seduce your girlfriend or wife. It's ok. It's not your fault. Most women aren't very forthcoming in telling guys what turns them on and they expect you to figure it out or know through mental telepathy. She probably thinks that if you really cared you would just know what turns her on. Unfortunately, the same things that turn a guy on simply don't work for women.

Although books have been written on the subject I want to share with you a little bit about what you can do today to improve your relationship and see a significant change in your girlfriend or wife when it comes to her degree of friskiness. This may seem simple but when you make this change you will find that your wife or girlfriend actually becomes happier and more open to your advances than she might be if you continued doing what you've been doing.

Touching! Touching your wife or girlfriend on a regular basis will make a profound impact on how close she feels to you and how open she is to your advances. Touching is actually a basic form of seduction that can be used on any woman to create a connection and spawn intimacy.

Touching a woman on the hand, arm or back is almost a subliminal way to connect with her on a subconscious level and create the connection that women crave. If you think back to when you were dating you will remember that holding hands was kind of the first step that eventually led to other things in your relationship. Before you ever got that first kiss there is a very good chance that you touched her and she responded and felt closer to you.

Now that you have been together for a while there is a very good chance that touching your wife or girlfriend on a regular basis has gone right out the window. You are probably more interested in getting right to the main event and you probably wonder why she's not as interested anymore and you're wondering how you can seduce her and get back to all the fun that the two of you used to have. Making a conscious effort to touch her more often is your first step in recreating that intimacy and seducing your wife or girlfriend. You will be giving her one of the things that she wants and in return you will find that she is more open to giving you the intimacy that you want.

Make a conscious effort to touch her face when you kiss her hello or goodbye. Maybe grab her hand when you're driving or walking through the mall. Place your hand on the small of her back as you hold a door open for her or as you pass her in the house. Sit close to her on the couch when you're watching tv and put your arm around her. Be creative but be consistent and you will find that she not only notices but becomes more amorous towards you and rather quickly.

One thing to look out for though is that sometimes a woman might not want to be touched. I'm not talking about in a work environment where touching a coworker can get you written up for harassment. This should go without saying. But keep an eye out for nonverbal cues that a woman doesn't want to be touched such as if she pulls her hand away when you go to hold it or if she covers herself up with a blanket when you're trying to cuddle with her. Sometimes a woman just isn't in the mood or there could be underlying issues that need to be resolved before intimacy and seduction are welcome.

Overall though, you should find that your wife or girlfriend will eat up this form of seduction and you will probably notice a change in her almost immediately. Take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself and touch your wife or girlfriend and see for yourself if this form of simple seduction can bring the friskiness back into your relationship.

How to get a Girl you like : for starters

2011-02-16T11:51:00.001-08:00

They say that men have only a couple of things on their minds - and in most of the case it's absolutely true. There is not much difference between the caveman and the men of today who is dressed well and doesn't kill another man because he liked his woman, the thought factors remain the same – hungry, horny, sleepy.

Whether you can't stop thinking about that wonderful woman at work or your eyes keep being drawn to the gorgeous girl across the room, or the sexy looking girl in your neighbourhood who zoomed past you in her shining scooty, crush has become all-consuming. She is all that you can think about. And now you want to know: are you all that she can think about, too?
Contrary to the Misconceptions, luckily girls are easier to read than many men believe.

Much like us guys, if a babe is into someone she will want him to know about it. After all, if he never notices her interest, she'll never experience that thunderous current passing through her head to toes when he looks at her in that special way or get that delicious first kiss.

The trouble is that, just like us, girls are scared of making fools of them. She would love to tell you she likes you but she's scared of misreading your signals and having you laugh on her face. As a result, she is shy about her clues, the signs are all there, but you do have to learn to look out for them. No rocket science required, just think what you would do if you were in her place or what would you have suggested to a very close female friend of yours who has fallen for a guy

So how can you tell if she likes you?

Let's start with the basics. These are the signals that every girl gives out, regardless of whether you work together or you've caught her eye across a crowded place or you happen to see her drying clothes on the opposite terrace or you end up buying the grocery from the same Reliance Fresh.

Is she looking at you and smiling? There's no better sign. Confident girls may maintain eye contact, but most will glance quickly away the moment you notice them watching you. Check to see if she keeps looking back your way - if she can't keep her eyes off you, you know that she's interested.

Watch for flirtatious body language. Most common syndrome:many girls fiddle with their hair when they're attracted. Some will start stroking their own arm, neck or face distractedly, while shy girls will blush whenever you look their way or start checking the time in her watch more often or start searching for something in their bag or pretend to read a message in her mobile or starts dialling a number. You can see that flurry of activities in the otherwise calm steady normal activities of her.

Now, the most important segment, let's make conversation with her, This is where guys makes complete ass of themselves. Following her every day when she returns home with a 10 feet distance or crossing her house or work station 10 times a day to get a glimpse won't improve the situation. You have to find ways to talk to her.

If your crush is on a girl you know or work with or is a neighbour, you have enough reasons to believe this complicates matters. Nobody wants to be rejected by someone they have to see or speak to on a daily basis. In fact, fancying someone you're friendly with puts you in a great position; you will already have proven to her that you're a good guy, and your close contact gives you plenty of opportunities to figure out if she's interested in you.

With the words starting to flow, she will look for excuses to get closer to you or touch your hand or your arm. Making physical contact with you is a sure sign of her interest. An assertive chick wants your attention she will become loud and start laughing at even the stupidest of your jokes, quieter girls may stammer or stumble when trying to speak to you.

Does she ever text or email you just to say hello? If you initiate contact, are her responses fast and chatty? Girls love to flirt via messaging, so don't act pricy or behave like a complete asshole; always give a prompt and positive reply. When chicks are into you, they will do almost anything to get your attention. If she's making jokes at your expense, she really wants you to notice her. Alternatively, if a normally shy or well mannered girl starts making loud or cocky sexual references she is trying to turn you on.

Arrange a group gathering. Invite your mutual friends or workmates to a movie or a lunch and try to gauge how eager she is to join you. A girl who cancels her important plans to be around you is keen to know you better, while one who seems genuinely regretful about missing out would love to get you alone.

And most important, never go and get advices from hopeless assholes who never had a girlfriend or has ever made an attempt to get one. Don't hit on your good friends sisters and if you are really not sure stay away from the good looking neighbour too.

Valentine's Day still an important holiday to couples of all ages

2011-02-14T05:41:00.001-08:00

From surprise gifts exchanged by teenage sweethearts to a special
dinner after a half-century of marriage, local couples said the form
of their Valentine's Day traditions has changed over the years, but,
for many, the day's importance has not waned.

"We still mark the day, and even after 22 years (of marriage), it's a
good day to celebrate," said Chris Hahne of Williamsport.

She and her husband, Gary, plan to go out to eat with friends today.

When they were newlyweds, Valentine's Day was more about surprises,
Chris Hahne said.

"Maybe special flowers or maybe more than one gift," she said. "A
little more romantic."

2011-02-14T05:40:00.001-08:00

Last Minute Ideas for Valentine's
Valentine's Day is just around the corner.
If you need to get something quick for your hunny, we have a few ideas for you.

You could get your significant other flowers.
Ben White Florist has several floral arrangements whether you're
shopping for your loved one, friend or family.

Lingerie could be another option, like these at Teddy's for Betty's
off South First.
How about a romantic night at home with a dinner for two from Central Market.

While there, you could pick up a teddy bear, chocolate covered
strawberries, a cake, wine and chocolates in a heart shaped box.
If you prefer to go out but haven't made reservations, head to the
Italian Restaurant Romeo's.

Carrie Wesley, Romeo's Manager said, "Valentine's Day runs a lot more
smoothly if everyone comes a little bit earlier than you would
normally like to eat prepare for await but we got lots of people
coming around trying to make this as smooth and fun as possible."
Romeo's is expecting a large turnout so make sure to show up early.
The live band will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Students celebrate Valentine's Day with crafts, cards

2011-02-14T05:39:00.001-08:00

It's hard to find a holiday that can still be celebrated in schools
without criticism or political-correctness.

Big Bear

But across Great Falls last week, students in elementary school
classrooms were preparing to participate in the age-old tradition of
making mailboxes so that they could distribute hearts, candy and other
fun greetings to their classmates for today's holiday — Valentine's
Day.

"They're not going to remember who taught them 2 plus 2, but they'll
remember this," said Kaylea Mullen, a kindergarten teacher at Lewis
and Clark Elementary school, as she watched her students decorate
aluminum-foil covered shoeboxes.

"Kindergarten should be fun and as teacher it's our job to make it
fun," she said.

Whether it was the students in her class who glued heart cut-outs or
foam stickers with the words "love" and "hearts" on them, or
second-graders in Kim Bannister's Riverview Elementary classroom who
turned oatmeal containers into mailboxes, teachers have tried to make
Valentine's Day a learning experience as well as fun.

"You're learning about friendships," Mullen said. "Valentine's Day is
all about love and friendships."

In Bannister's classroom, they took the oatmeal containers and laid
them on their side. They then folded a piece of construction paper
over the top, and taped another piece of construction paper at the
bottom to make the mailbox shape and flap. Using popsicle sticks,
students attached flags to the sides of the boxes with their names on
them.

"Since the beginning of the year we've been bringing in oatmeal
containers," Bannister said. "It's something that they can take home
and keep for years to come."

She said the lesson for her students was two-fold. They had to follow
along and pay attention to directions, and she even squeezed a little
geometry lesson into the mailbox making.

"Boys and girls: What shape is the oatmeal container?" she asked.

They hesitated for a moment and then said in unison, "a cylinder!"

In Jessi Tucker's fifth-grade classroom at West Elementary school,
students brought in boxes of all different sizes last week that they
could turn into mailboxes.

Love is in the air...

2011-02-14T05:38:00.001-08:00

By David Farrier

Valentines Day is named after a Christian saint named "Valentine" who
was beheaded after he was found to be secretly marrying young couples.

And today many New Zealanders did what they could do to stand up for love.

It was walk-about time at the Big Day Gay Out festival and love was in
the air, not just for the punters, but the politicians too.

"At least this year I remembered it, woke up gave my wife a kiss,"
says Labour leader Phil Goff.

The Prime Minister was also there, fresh from being crowned "sexiest"
politician in a survey by condom-maker Durex.

My Key says he regretted not being able to spend the whole day with his wife.

"My thoughts are with my wife, I'm sending her roses and gonna make
her dinner," he says.

"Shame I can't be with her all day, I have other commitments."

Meanwhile, restaurants up and down the country have been offering
special Valentines Day menus.

They love cycling in the capital, so that's what they did for
Valentines, the "Frocks on Bikes" club encouraged people to turn up
with their partners.

While Wellington was cycling, the Helensville Lions Club had their
annual "Running of the Roses".

In Pakistan, Valentines Day was cause for protest.

Around 300 female students burned signs and soft toys, saying
Valentines Day was un-Islamic, calling the event an unwelcome product
of western culture.

A different take on Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T05:37:00.002-08:00

Last year I got a greenhouse for Valentine's Day. One of those tall
portable ones. I'd been going on about getting a greenhouse although I
wasn't quite expecting it for Valentine's Day. In fact, I didn't even
get it on the day.

My significant other doesn't like surprises. He doesn't like having
surprises kept from him and he doesn't like keeping them from others.
So I got my greenhouse on the 11th of February because he'd "spent all
day putting it together and couldn't wait three days to show me."

Come the morning of the 14th I asked if he'd got me a card. Confused
look. "But I gave you the greenhouse!"

I'm sure it will come as little surprise for you to find out that in
our house Valentine's Day has, yet again, already been. I arrived home
from work two nights ago to a grinning face hovering by the garage
door.

"Come and see your Valentine's present"

"No! Not again! It's meant to be a surprise!"

Crestfallen look. "But I can't hide it, it's already set up – I've
been working on it."

"Alright let's have a look then."

There on my recently acquired second hand bike was a pair of new road
tyres. All fitted and ready to go. Perfect for taking up my new hobby.
A greasy t-shirt and can of CRC lay nearby.

This whole present three days early thing is becoming a running joke
and to be honest it's so typical of the man I love that it just makes
Valentine's Day (well, week) doubly special.

But there's no escaping the fact that a greenhouse and bicycle tyres
aren't exactly the most romantic of presents. Chocolates and roses are
a thing of the past in our house, and quite frankly, it doesn't matter
a bit.

If you're struggling to decide between chocolates, flowers, teddy
bears or jewellery maybe consider getting something practical.
Something your Valentine actually needs.

Or do a job around the house they can't, or don't want, to do. If our
spare room, which has been in the redecoration process for the last
eight months, was finished as a Valentine's Day treat I would quite
happily forego chocolate forever.

Luckily it won't happen so I can comfortably make such outlandish promises.

I know a lot of people complain about Valentine's Day being a ploy for
card companies and florists to make their millions. "Corporate
nonsense", "you shouldn't need a special day to show your love" etc
etc.

Fine, these are fair comments but you don't have to buy a card – you
could make something. You don't have to buy a dozen roses – you could
buy bicycle tires. And while my partner and I say we love each other
every day without fail, it's not every day I get a brand new
greenhouse.

Maybe, just maybe, we could stop falling into the two camps of either
going all out or being a Valentines scrooge and interpret it another
way. Let go of your need for greatness or your feelings of cynicism
and do something a little bit different.

Most women really won't mind if you show a bit of initiative and think
outside the square, even if what you come up with doesn't seem overly
romantic. And if they do mind, they're probably not worth the effort.
That greasy t-shirt lying on our garage floor is dripping with more
love than any bunch of flowers ever could and I'm pretty sure it
didn't cost the earth. By Claire Hedgley

What do your Valentine's flowers really mean?

2011-02-14T05:37:00.001-08:00

Roses are red, violets are blue, but what do they really mean when sent to you?

It is the most romantic day of the year, Valentines Day, and thousands
of lucky ladies, and some men, will be receiving flowers.

But before you get too excited, understand that flowers have a meaning
and it may not be a positive one. Check to see if your lover has sent
you a bouquet of love or disappointment below.

He loves you if you got:

* Red carnations: His poor heart aches for you.
* Gardenia: He secretly loves you.
* Zinnia: Lasting affection.
* Red roses: He absolutely loves you.
* Lilac rose: It was love at first sight.

He loves you not if you got:

* Striped carnations: Sorry he can't be with you.
* Yellow carnations: You're rejected.
* Freesia: Just friends.
* Anenome: Abandoned.
* Black rose: It's over.

And not surprisingly, a bouquet of withered flowers means rejected love.

Top Ten Things Not To Do On Valentine's day

2011-02-14T05:36:00.001-08:00

Okay you no doubt have had all sorts of suggestions on things to do
for Valentine's Day - buy roses and chocolates and make dinner
reservations, but there needs to be a list of things not to do - that
can offer some advise to both people in a relationship or not.

So here are the Top Ten Digital Things Not To Do On Valentine's Day

10. Don't start trolling Craigslist Casual Encounters if you don't
have a date - the day after regrets are a lot more painful.

9. Don't spend all night tweeting - the messages will get more bitter
as your night rolls on. That goes for Facebook and any other social
site.

8. Don't start looking at online photos of your ex - why be depressed
by their happiness without you.

7. Don't buy multiple same gifts of jewelry - sooner or later if the
people have a chance to meet they will and this can really go wrong -
did this once (gave GF and just female friend the same necklace and
sure enough one night the friend wore and the GF saw - end of
relationship).

6. Don't use Urbanspoon random restaurant picker for Valentine dinner
- you need to spend a little more thought.

5. Don't have gifts delivered on day in a plain brown box - you should
get them sent to you early and go the extra mile and wrap.

4. Don't propose on Valentine's Day - why associate this commercial
day with your relationship - and just raises expectations of what you
will do every Valentine's Day in the future.

3. Don't plagiarize a poem from online - if you can't write one
yourself don't bother. Buy a book of love poetry and offer to read
them to her/him.

2. Don't get exercise equipment or gym memberships - if I have to
explain that you more than likely don't have someone to buy them for.

1. DO NOT tweet, IM or drunk or sober dial your ex - you come off as a
stalker or just look really bad. And if you have any fame you could
end up in the papers looking even more pathetic.

The perfect cake for Valentine’s Day

2011-02-14T05:35:00.001-08:00

I have just baked a luscious chocolate and blueberry cake, perfect for
Valentine's Day. But it would also be great for weddings, birthdays or
other special occasions. It's one of those rich, dense chocolaty cakes
that are simply irresistible!

The blueberries are a special surprise. Don't let the idea of grated
zucchini put you off. They can't be seen when the cake has been baked
but help to keep it moist for a several days. The icing, made from a
200 gram block of chocolate and some sour cream is so delightfully
sinful it will tempt every chocolate lover!

The recipe comes from "Plenty" published by the Whakatane West Rotary
Club. The Rotarians wanted to create something significant to
celebrate their 40th birthday. So they decided to put out a book to
showcase the Eastern Bay of Plenty's wonderful food and lifestyle. It
has given the locals a chance to share their favourite recipes and
quirky anecdotes. All the profits from the sale of this book will be
used for community projects

When a community recipe book is put together people will often be
prepared to divulge special family recipes and this book is no
exception. As one of the contributors says "I hate sharing my secret
but it's for a good cause!"

The recipes reflect the local food which comes from the land and the
bush as well as the sea. As you might expect from a coastal region
there are lots of seafood recipes such as a duet of whitebait, tuatua
fritters, creamed paua pastries, scallops on minted pea puree, and
smoked marlin pasta.

The Isis fish salad makes a great lunch. It is best made with freshly
caught snapper, kingfish or gurnard.

Roz Tucker created it on a maiden voyage to White island from snapper
caught on the way out. A little lemon salt is sprinkled on the fish.
It is then very quickly fried and tossed through a salad which
contains such ingredients as rock melon, tomatoes, cucumber and snap
peas. Over this a dressing made from orange juice, pickled ginger, soy
sauce and coconut cream. Light and delicious!

There are also chapters on nibbles and starters, barbecues and
picnics, wild foods, mains, desserts and sweet treats. Most of these
look yummy and are easy and quick to make.

For a very special dinner I'd start with the venison and brandy
terrine. For the main it would be the eye fillet on kumara rosti. For
dessert, the "Berry White Island", a romantic concoction of fresh
raspberries, cream, yoghurt, and crushed meringues. This would also be
a great meal to impress overseas guests and a welcome change from
roast lamb and pavlova!

"Plenty" was designed to be more than a recipe book. The photographs
capture the beauty of the coastal scenery as well as the food. As you
leaf through the book you almost feel as if you are at Ohope Beach
with sand between your feet, taking a leap into the water from the
Ohiwa wharf with the local kids, whitebaiting at Thornton Beach or
watching a glowing sunset at Lake Rotoma.

Another special feature of the book is the snippets of local history.
I loved the tale of how the first kumara arrived in New Zealand in the
great waka Mataatua and was planted at Matirerau.

The book also recounts how many years later Captain James Cook sailed
into the area and discovered how the sea, bays and rivers "abounded
with a great variety of excellent Fish," and mentioned that the
lobsters were the best his crew had ever eaten. No wonder he gave it
the name of the Bay of Plenty.

These days "The Bay of Plenty is still one of the great markets of the
world. Weka fricassee and kakapo casserole have been taken off the
menu, but now seafood chowder, whitebait fritters, wild pork, fresh
stream trout, native honey, cheese, berry fruits, citrus and olives,
to name but a few, all hail from the land, sea and soil."

Just reading about all this great food will be sure to tickle your
taste buds, and make you dream of a romantic weekend away .A great
place to fish, swim surf or simply lounge on the beach before tucking
into a picnic basket or firing up a barbecue. Must do this summer!

Plenty is published by the Whakatane West Rotary Club By Lyn Potter

Price $44.90

To finds out more go to:

http://www.whakatanewestrotary.org/Plenty.html

Chocolate cake the blueberry way

Recipe by Heidi Rosewarne

from Plenty published by the Whakatane West Rotary Club

http://www.whakatanewestrotary.org/Plenty.html

Ingredients

125g butter

250g cooking chocolate

½ cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

½ cup yoghurt, plain or fruit

2½ cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

2 cups grated zucchini

1½ cups Blueberry Corner blueberries

Icing

200g cooking chocolate

¼ cup sour cream

Method

In a large pot, melt butter and chocolate until smooth.

Cream through sugar and beat in eggs, one at a time, with a wooden
spoon. Add a little flour to prevent curdling. Add vanilla and
yoghurt, and then fold in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Finally, fold in zucchini and blueberries and spread mixture into a
greased 23cm cake tin.

Bake at 170˚C for 45-60 minutes. Cook for 20 minutes longer if using
frozen blueberries.

Ice when cool with 200g melted cooking chocolate and ¼ cup sour cream.

I have made this cake for weddings and Christmas as well as many
birthdays. It is a rich, moist and dense cake with the surprise of not
only blueberries but zucchini too! Heidi Rosewarne ( Blueberry Corner)

Sex or booze? Kiwis prefer relations over Riesling

2011-02-14T05:34:00.001-08:00

Most New Zealanders would rather give up alcohol than forgo sex, but a
fifth of women and a 10th of men would rather have a drink than a romp
in the sack, according to a new poll.

The Research New Zealand survey found that while 73 percent of people
would consider giving up alcohol for more than a month, 92 percent of
men and 80 percent of women would rather have sex than a drink.

Some 4 percent said they would rather give up all their friends than
abstain from alcohol, while 5 percent would prefer to forgo a rested
night's sleep.

People were most likely to consider giving up cigarettes and online
social networking in order to keep drinking, the poll found.

But priorities varied by age, with young people aged 15 to 34 valuing
sex and their cellphones much more than people over 55.

The questions on alcohol were added to Research New Zealand's regular
monthly survey of 500 people to show support for the Drug Foundation's
FebFast campaign, which encourages people to abstain from alcohol for
the month of February.

Campaign coordinator Catherine Milburn said the poll findings were "an
eye opener". "Amazingly, some people would rather stop seeing their
friends or give up sex, sleep, their cellphones, the internet and even
their cars before knocking off the booze," she said.

"They're in the minority, though – most people put their mates ahead
of alcohol and still value a good night's sleep, a roll in the hay,
and time in front of the telly or on the internet."

Ms Milburn added that it was "really encouraging" that more than seven
in 10 New Zealanders would consider giving up alcohol for more than a
month.

She said the FebFast campaign was fortunately not asking people to
forgo their favourite past-times, but to just "press pause on their
drinking".

"For some people, having a break from alcohol might actually give them
more time – and inclination – for some of these other activities."

A number of well-known New Zealanders have endorsed the event,
including MPs Jackie Blue and Iain Lees-Galloway, Christchurch Mayor
Bob Parker and journalists Mike McRoberts and his wife Paula Penfold.

NZPA

The perfect Valentine's gift for a princess

2011-02-14T05:33:00.003-08:00

It's the perfect Valentine's gift - a packet of souvenir condoms with
an image of Prince William looking lovingly at his fiancée Kate
Middleton on the cover.

According to the website "Crown Jewels Condoms of Distinction has
commissioned a unique heritage edition Royal Wedding Souvenir boîte de
capotes" to celebrate the royal couple's engagement.

Crown Jewels say the condoms "combine the strength of a prince with
the yielding sensitivity of a princess-to-be", the packet includes a
"collectable portrait of the couple as they might appear on their
wedding day".

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the product is not endorsed by Prince William,
Kate Middleton or any other member of the Royal Family.

A pack of three condoms costs about $11, those looking for a bulk buy
can get nine for $30.

Click on the video tab above to see why the appeal for products with
an official Royal Warrant is starting to fade. By James Murray

Top Ten Things Not To Do On Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T05:33:00.001-08:00

Okay you no doubt have had all sorts of suggestions on things to do for Valentine's Day - buy roses and chocolates and make dinner reservations, but there needs to be a list of things not to do - that can offer some advise to both people in a relationship or not.

So here are the Top Ten Digital Things Not To Do On Valentine's Day

10. Don't start trolling Craigslist Casual Encounters if you don't have a date - the day after regrets are a lot more painful.

9. Don't spend all night tweeting - the messages will get more bitter as your night rolls on. That goes for Facebook and any other social site.

8. Don't start looking at online photos of your ex - why be depressed by their happiness without you.

7. Don't buy multiple same gifts of jewelry - sooner or later if the people have a chance to meet they will and this can really go wrong - did this once (gave GF and just female friend the same necklace and sure enough one night the friend wore and the GF saw - end of relationship).

6. Don't use Urbanspoon random restaurant picker for Valentine dinner - you need to spend a little more thought.

5. Don't have gifts delivered on day in a plain brown box - you should get them sent to you early and go the extra mile and wrap.

4. Don't propose on Valentine's Day - why associate this commercial day with your relationship - and just raises expectations of what you will do every Valentine's Day in the future.

3. Don't plagiarize a poem from online - if you can't write one yourself don't bother. Buy a book of love poetry and offer to read them to her/him.

2. Don't get exercise equipment or gym memberships - if I have to explain that you more than likely don't have someone to buy them for.

1. DO NOT tweet, IM or drunk or sober dial your ex - you come off as a stalker or just look really bad. And if you have any fame you could end up in the papers looking even more pathetic.

Valentine crowds dance the night away

2011-02-14T05:31:00.001-08:00

Visitors to Indiana Downs on Saturday celebrated Valentine's Day with dinner and candlelight while alsosupporting important charitable causes.

The second floor clubhouse was filled with more than 300 people who dined and danced to support the American Heart Association, and the track's Family Pavilion had around 100 who were working to raise money for the Waldron/St. Paul Imagination Library.

Saturday was the third year for the Valentine Gala that raises funds and awareness for heart diseases. The event was started by Trena James, the widow of Tom James, an Indianapolis businessman who died from a heart attack in 2007 at the age of 42, leaving behind his wife and four daughters.

"Tom looked like he was in perfect health," James said. "People need to know that heart disease is often a silent killer."

*
James and her family, including daughters Erin, Morgan and Katie James and Carissa Bratcher, said they feel like the event honors the memory of Tom James. They hope to continue the annual dinner dance in the future and see it grow larger each year.

"This is a way for us to share our story and spread the word about heart disease to others," Erin said.

"We know that something like this can't bring our dad back," Carissa said, "but it is a way to deal with our loss and hopefully keep someone else from losing someone they love."

The dance included a buffet prepared by Indiana Downs chef Greg Schiesser, music by The Headliner Band and a silent auction. Many of those in attendance took advantage of a chance to pull out their party clothes and celebrate the holiday.

"You know me," said Jill Evans of Miss Jill's School of Dance. "I love to have a chance to dress up."

Those who attendedthe Waldron/St. Paul Imagination Library Valentine's Day dancewere very focused on the importance of raising money for the program that will provide books for children in the community.

"We are pleased with the turnout for our first year," organizer Jackie Runnebohm said, "but I think we will try a different time of year if we do this again. Valentine's Day is just too busy."

The purpose of the dance and other fundraisers planned by Runnebohm, Jeff and Pam Linder and other committee members is to raise enough money for an endowment at Blue River Community Foundation to pay for the Imagination Library program, which mails books each month to all children from birth to age 5 in the Waldron and St. Paul areas. Donations and fundraisers already have earned around $30,000 toward the $200,000 endowment goal.

The dance offered a large silent auction filled with donated items, and Runnebohm said the tickets to the dance along with this auction revenue should produce a hefty donation for the cause.

"People were generous with their donations," she said. "Everyone we talk to seems to agree that getting books into the hands of children is a good idea. People care about this project even if they don't live in Waldron or St. Paul."

The next project is selling Easter eggs filled with candy, stickers and treats. Last year, students at Waldron Elementary filled and sold almost 4,000 of the plastic eggs, and Runnebohm said this year they hope to sell even more.

Gina Pleak, principal at Waldron Elementary, said projects like Imagination Library teach children philanthropy while raising money to bring more books into the community.

Organizer Jeff Linder said he was pleased with the enthusiasm of the crowd at the Saturday's dance.

"A big part of what we want to do is make sure that everyone in the community understands what we are trying to accomplish," he said.

"It helps us that the Morristown Imagination Library is up and running. We think that community pride will make people in the Waldron/St. Paul area want the same program for their children. We hope to see this program expanded throughout the entire county."

Valentine’s Day around the world

2011-02-14T05:30:00.001-08:00

It's Valentine's Day today and while the rest of the world celebrated with flowers and chocolates, a bunch of Kiwi blokes went to new heights for their Valentines.

You could take your beloved to a romantic dinner or, you could dress in their clothes and go for a run.

In a competition for the Rock radio station, men were asked to put on their partner's clothes, and run through an obstacle course.

The winner took home a tropical holiday for himself and his girlfriend.

Competitiveness was also on display in Thailand, where couples tried to break a Guiness World Record for the longest ever continuous kiss.

The current record stands at just over 32 hours.

And in the USA, the Victoria's Secret angels came out to share their pearls of wisdom on how to celebrate Valentine's Day in style.

Tips included not being afraid to "get sexier than usual".

Meanwhile, women in the Italian town of Verona rubbed Shakespeare's Juliet for luck in love and composed 'Dear Juliet' letters – hoping there really is someone out there for everyone. By Liz Puranam

Lovers seek world record : Kiss me not-so quick

2011-02-14T05:27:00.001-08:00

PATTAYA, Thailand — A kiss is still a kiss — even if it goes on for
more than a day.

Fourteen couples gathered at a Thai beach resort to try to break the
world record for kissing, attempting to spend more than 32 hours
locked lip-to-lip.

The marathon kicked off at 6:00 a.m. local time on Sunday (6 p.m. ET
Saturday), with each couple given a space of 1 square meter (yard) in
which they had to spend the time kissing, without leaving except for
bathroom breaks.

Any break in the lip lock resulted in disqualification.

Besides the world record, couples were aiming for a diamond ring worth
50,000 baht ($1,624) and a 100,000 baht cash prize.

Participants took part to show their love and mark Valentine's Day,
although kissing in public is quite "I'm just taking part for fun, and
I'm looking forward to kissing for a long time,

During the event, couples were not allowed to sit, sleep or leave the
venue. They also had to continue kissing while using the toilet, with
staff accompanying them to verify the fact.

'I just want to show my love'
Within the limits, though, organizers did what they could to make the
couples comfortable. Werth and Urairat, for example, had a 13-inch
height difference, but a box was provided for her to stand on.

Food and drink could only be taken through straws, again with lips
locked. "I just want to show my love to my boyfriend and everybody who
is in love on Valentine's Day," said 31-year-old Nonthawat
Charoenkesornsin before the event began.

When the whistle blew, couples started kissing. The previous record of
32 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds was set in Germany.

"These couples, who joined the longest kissing world record, are
people who are in love," said organizer Somporn Narksuetrong.

"They want to be part of history by entering this competition to show
their love."

But while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak, with couples
starting to drop out as time went on.

One woman fainted after just 34 minutes. Others left after a few hours.

"I could not make it anymore because my neck is hurting," said Amporn Ketmao.

The event is due to continue until Monday afternoon.

Couples lock lips for record in Thai kiss marathon

2011-02-14T05:25:00.001-08:00

PATTAYA, Thailand (Reuters Life!) – A kiss is still a kiss -- even if
it goes on for over a day.

Fourteen couples from across Thailand gathered at Pattaya beach resort
to try and break the world record for kissing, attempting to spend
more than 32 hours locked lip-to-lip.

The marathon kicked off at 6:00 a.m. local on Sunday (6 p.m. ET
Saturday), with each couple given a space of 1 square meter (3 ft 3 in
square) in which they had to spend the time kissing, without leaving
except for bathroom breaks.

Any break in the lip lock resulted in disqualification.

Besides the world record, couples were aiming for a diamond ring worth
50,000 baht ($1,624) and a 100,000 baht cash prize.

Participants took part to show their love and mark Valentine's Day,
although kissing in public is quite unusual in Thailand.

"I'm just taking part for fun, and I'm looking forward to kissing for
a long time," said Felix Werth, a 32-year-old German participating
with his Thai girlfriend, 21-year-old Urairat Oottaboon.

During the event, couples were not allowed to sit, sleep or leave the
venue. They also had to continue kissing while using the toilet, with
staff accompanying them to verify the fact.

Within the limits, though, organizers did what they could to make the
couples comfortable. Werth and Urairat, for example, had a
33-centimetre (13 inch) height difference, but a box was provided for
her to stand on.

When the whistle blew, couples started kissing. The previous record of
32 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds was set in Germany.

"These couples, who joined the longest kissing world record, are
people who are in love," said organizer Somporn Narksuetrong.

"They want to be part of history by entering this competition to show
their love."

But while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak, with couples
starting to drop out as time went on.

One woman fainted after just 34 minutes. Others left after a few hours.

"I could not make it anymore because my neck is hurting," said Amporn Ketmao.

The event is due to continue until Monday afternoon.

Think a kiss is just a kiss? New book tells all

2011-02-14T05:24:00.003-08:00

Ever wondered about the political uses of a kiss, the kiss's changing
status or legendary movie kisses? Do you find yourself needing to say
the word in Albanian, Icelandic or even, perchance, Maori?

Fear not. "A Compendium of Kisses," the guide to everything oscular --
that's "of or pertaining to kissing" for the unenlightened -- tells
all about one of the world's most universal gestures, whether simple
greeting or sublime.

"When I came to look at the kiss, the romantic side is such a small
part of it," said British novelist and actress Lana Citron, who
compiled the book.

"I love how when you're born, the first thing is, you're kissed,
you're welcomed into the world. It's this little gesture that follows
you throughout life, through all the most important parts of your
life."

Citron's interest in kisses began with a short story she wrote a
decade ago about a lonely woman who collected kisses in jars -- such
as one for the lover who spurned her, one that was full of yearning --
and labeled them.

That led to her invitation to do an installation of kisses in jars,
all labeled, as part of an art exhibition. The response of viewers
sent her to the internet, searching out books on kisses and deciding
to write her own when nothing seemed just right.

"It was almost like opening a Pandora's chest and just being
overwhelmed by all the different ways a kiss is expressed, the
meanings attached to it and the things it symbolizes," she said.

"I fell in love with it, I really did. I was submerged in the world of
kisses for a year and came out of it with a book."

Her compendium mingles brief kiss anecdotes with kiss factoids and
scraps of poetry to cover evolutionary kisses, bonding kisses, artful
kisses, screen kisses, bike shed kisses or first kisses, passionate
kisses, Kama Sutra kisses, animal kisses and even The Death Kiss, to
name just a few.

She also traces the evolution of kissing through history, from its use
in Christian religious ceremonies -- "greet ye one another with a
kiss" -- to its social role as a greeting on many levels, including
between kings and the vassals they ruled.

"Then the kiss suddenly becomes eroticized, also compounded by
advances made in dentistry. Once it becomes eroticized, it also
becomes highly contentious socially," she said.

Do you know where 'The One' is?

2011-02-14T05:24:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is the only holiday that divides the world into
successes and failures -- on this day you either have a valentine, or
you don't. And while many couples have come to regard the whole thing
as a Hallmark hookup -- a prix fixe pain in the "But honey, I forgot
to make reservations" -- that's easy for them to say. They have
somebody.

Being on the losing side of yet another Valentine's Day is
particularly painful in Silicon Valley. Here, men with sketchy
grooming habits and a tendency to talk too summa cum loudly when
trying to meet women frequently find that their successes in business
don't prevent them from being romantic rejects.

While many of the valley's lovelorn have tried to find each other
using the algorithm method -- subscribing to dating services such as
Match.com and eHarmony -- some have gone positively medieval, turning
their love lives over to matchmakers.

When Amy Andersen noted this pool of unrequited love in 2003, she
opened Linx Dating, a personalized matchmaking service that attempts
to connect Silicon Valley men with "gorgeous," "attractive San
Francisco women."

Andersen rescues laptop lonely hearts by introducing millionerd frogs
to Junior League princesses, often transforming the men with the help
of hair and wardrobe consultants.

Love-starved clients sometimes endure "mock date" coaching sessions
that prepare them for the real thing. "My job is to serve as their
Advertisement
VP of marketing," Andersen said shortly before one of these ardent
tutorials. "We are strategizing about what to wear, what not to wear,
what to say, how to act, sound bites, areas to stay away from."

COUNTING DOWN TO V-DAY

2011-02-14T05:22:00.001-08:00

You know how there's the famous "12 Days of Christmas"? Well, how
about the "14 Days to Valentine's Day"?

Each February I count down the days to Valentine's Day by sending my
husband one goody each day from Feb.1st through the 14th. It's never
anything big or expensive.

At this time of year, cards, candy and trinkets are readily available
at any store, but I also I try to include homemade and personalized
items, too. Some things I've sent before are: brownies with white
icing tic-tac-toe x's and o's; chocolate covered pretzels, a giant
heart shaped cookie, a postcard in the shape of giant lips, m&m's in a
heart-shaped container, etc.

This year I'm going to send a photo of our new dog, am going to try
making a heart shaped pizza and am eager to try the Jello cookie
bouquet in this week's tip. All you have to do is look around you and
through catalogs (Cheryle's Cookies is a great one) - there are ideas
all over the place!

I package the item up as creatively as possible and send it via US
mail, personal delivery or his co-workers. The people he works with
look forward to seeing what he receives each day, and he tells me they
tell him how lucky he is. (and I know he just eats that up!) Then on
the 14th I do an additional something like cooking his favorite meal
or decorating the house with red and pink paper streamers. It's fun to
plan out what I'll send him each day! submitted by: Kim Gau

DRESSING UP, STAYING IN

2011-02-14T05:21:00.001-08:00

My husband and I had been married for only 5 months on our first
Valentine's together. We really didn't have much money to spend on
presents, and my husband is not creative at all, so I knew I would
have to come up with something if I want a romantic Valentine's.

So the week before the 14th we decided that we were not going to buy
presents, instead we would make the day special by doing something
together.

Because we are both working, and too tired in the evening to cook, we
bought our dinners from a lady, so dinner was all ready. When we got
home from work, we dressed... and I mean dressed. I wore my most
beautiful black evening dress, and he wore a black suit and white
shirt (he looked so sexy)... While I was doing my hair and my make-up
(as if we were going to a fancy place), he quickly set the table, lit
the candles, and put on some soft music.

We ended up dancing and sitting on the couch, telling each other how
much we love the other one, and in the end it was the most romantic
evening of my life.

16 Charitable Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T05:20:00.001-08:00

There are plenty of ways to do good and feel good this Valentine's
Day. Here are Fawcett's favorites.

1. Will You Be My…Volunteer? There's no shortage of ways you can help.
Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or favorite
nonprofit, or offer to tutor a child in reading or math. You can find
loads of opportunities on http://www.VolunteerMatch.org, or check out
http://www.DoSomething.org, which helps younger folks rock the causes
they care about.

2. Put the "Fun" in Fundraising. If you're taking that special someone
out for a pricey dinner, why not have your bill go to a good cause?
Check your newspaper or online city pages for Valentine-themed
fundraisers that support local nonprofits. Or better yet, throw your
own happy hour or party, and donate the proceeds to charity.

3. Give a Little Bit. Sometimes a little helps a lot. Looking to put
your money where your mouth is? Donate a dollar a day to a cause that
calls to you through http://www.Philanthroper.org. Or support students
and classrooms in need in your hometown through
http://www.DonorsChoose.org.

4. Send Love Letters. Not just to your sweetheart, but to people and
organizations that are doing good things for the world. Tell them why
you respect and appreciate their work, and that they really do make a
difference. If you're feeling extra romantic, include a donation.

5. Reach Out to Those in Need. Deliver homemade Valentine's cards or
heart-shaped cookies to the sick, the elderly, the homeless — and
their caregivers. Call a local childrens' hospital, nursing home,
domestic violence or homeless shelter and ask how you can donate an
hour or two of your time.

5. Give Gifts That Give. There are dozens of charitable shopping sites
and online nonprofit stores selling gifts for a good cause. Look for
red Motorola phones, Gap T-shirts and iPods from Apple to support the
(Red) Campaign, or find cause-specific gifts to alleviate hunger,
breast cancer, deforestation and more at http://www.GreaterGood.org.
Can't find the perfect gift for your special someone? Give a Good Card
through http://www.NetworkforGood.org.

6. Remember Those Who Serve You. Think of all those people who make
your life easier and more convenient — every single day. Give a
thank-you card to the bus driver or the barista who serves you your
latte. Personally thank the janitor who keeps your office or campus
clean, or the people who pick up your trash. Leave your waiter an
extra tip, and smile–big–at the gas station attendant.

7. Clean Your Closets. Get a head start on spring-cleaning and donate
clothes, toys, furniture, household items, and old computers to
nonprofits accepting them. Check your local Big Brothers Big Sisters,
Salvation Army, or Goodwill Industries.

8. Love Your Mother (Earth). Take the trash challenge: For one day,
see if you can generate zero trash. Zip, nada, nothing. No cardboard
boxes, no disposable containers, no bottled water. Think of what you
can reduce and re-use, and call your county or city waste management
to find out about local compost programs.

9. Get Your Heart Pumping. Charity walks and runs raise money for a
good cause and get you moving in the great outdoors. Bring the family
or your co-workers along to make it a team event. To find an event,
check your local American Heart Association or a local runners' club,
such as Road Runners Club.

10. Adopt a Pet for a Day. Offer to take care of a pet for an ill or
homebound neighbor. Volunteer at your local animal shelter to take the
dogs for a walk. Or adopt an endangered species through the World
Wildlife Fund, and you'll get a lovable stuffed pet and adoption
certificate.

11. Be a Fair-Trade Valentine. Buy certified fair-trade chocolate from
companies that ensure that small-scale farmers receive higher and more
stable prices for their cocoa. Try Theo, Equal Exchange, or Alter-Ego
Fair Trade.

12. Say it With Organic Flowers. Buy fresh organic blooms from your
local farmer's market, or send a bunch from Organic Bouquet, which
donates 10 percent to charities like CARE, the Global Fund for Women,
and the American Red Cross.

13. Be Kind While You Dine. Taking your sweetie for a steak dinner
this V-Day? Choose a restaurant that sources its meat from
sustainable, humanely treated and harvested animals & farms. Visit
Sustainable Table's http://www.EatWellGuide.org to find vendors that
offer farms and stores that sell sustainably raised meat. For seafood
lovers, download the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch app for
your smart phone.

14.Continue to Support Disaster Relief. We don't hear much about Haiti
or the Gulf Coast on the news these days, but these disasters are in
need of much support. Here are a few ideas: Adopt a Brown Pelican
through the International Bird Rescue Research Center, which picks up
oiled birds, cleans and rehabilitates them. Or provide direct support
to those facing financial devastation due to the Gulf Coast spill by
donating at Protect Your Coastline. For Haiti and other world
disasters, consider supporting an organization like Doctors Without
Borders, which sends medical and non-medical aid workers to countries
whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe.

15. Say "I Do" to Charitable Weddings. Tying the knot this year?
Consider creating a charitable gift registry through the
http://www.IDoFoundation.org and its many retail and nonprofit
partners.

16. Celebrate with Small Acts of Kindness. Valentine's Day isn't the
only holiday this week: February 14-20th is Random Acts of Kindness
Week. What can you do? Pay for a coffee, lunch, or a toll for the
person behind you in line. Tape the exact change for a soda to a
vending machine. Send cards with joyful messages to strangers. Collect
canned goods for a food bank. Shovel a neighbor's driveway, or babysit
a friend's child, for free. Visit http://www.ActsofKindness.org for
hundreds of other ideas.

Elaine Gast Fawcett is a writer and consultant. She runs
http://www.FourWindsWriting.com, a national consulting firm providing
top-notch strategic communications for foundations, charitable
organizations, nonprofits and socially conscious companies.

VALENTINE'S WITH THOUGHT

2011-02-14T05:19:00.001-08:00

VALENTINE'S WITH THOUGHT

f you are going to celebrate Valentine's, I suggest you do it with a
little forethought. I cringe every time I go to the grocery on
February 13 or 14 and see dozens of men crowding around the greeting
cards to buy their cards at the last possible moment.

Buy your card now and mail it out to Loveland, Colorado for extra
special treatment. Your card will be postmarked LOVEland, Colorado and
it will also be hand-stamped with a unique four line poem.

The Loveland Chamber of Commerce heads up this yearly romance project
with cards going to all 50 states and over 100 foreign countries
annually.

It's simple. Just enclose your pre-addressed, pre-stamped Valentine's
card in a larger envelope and mail to: Postmaster, Attn: Valentines,
Loveland CO 80537 by Michael Webb
Founder, www.TheRomantic.com

You can also send it to postmasters of these cities too:

Valentine, Texas 79854

Valentine, Nebraska 69201

Kissimmee, Florida 32741

Loving, New Mexico 88256

Bridal Veil, Oregon 97010

Romance, Arkansas 72136

ROSES ARE RED, POTATOES ARE PINK...

2011-02-14T05:18:00.001-08:00

Because the members of my family are all my special loves, my Valentine's idea was for all of them several years ago.

For dinner on Valentine's Day, all the food I prepared was red or pink. I can't remember the whole menu, but it included pink mashed potatoes, pink bread, red Jell-O, and a red tinted heart cake with pink icing. The kids weren't sure what to think, and to this day, they groan when I mention the pink mashed potatoes!

My hubby must love me a lot, because he sticks with me in spite of my crazy ideas. Submitted by: Janet

RENT A ROMANCE

2011-02-14T05:17:00.003-08:00

Four years ago I wanted to come up with something totally unexpected and unusual for Valentine's Day. My husband is very easy to please and I knew that what ever I did he would be appreciative. I didn't want to just buy something for him to wear or to eat. So, I put my thinking cap on and this is what I came up with.

I got out the yellow pages and looked for Hot Tub companies. I actually found a couple of them that rented out portable hot tubs! After calling a few of them I decided on one and then put my plan into action.

It was being delivered while my husband was at work and they came early in the morning. I had to move all the dining room furniture out of the dining room to so the hot tub would fit! I moved all the furniture into the living room before they arrived.

These guys rolled in a 4 person hot tub and set it up in my dining room! They started filling it and got it running for me before they left. Now my only concern was that it would be warm enough to go in by the time Steve got home from work! In the mean time I went to the store and bought some wine for later that evening. I kept calling Steve at work to be sure he wasn't making a surprise visit home!

I made a card and in it I explained that his Valentine's gift was inside the house waiting for him and I put the card on our front door. You cannot imagine the surprised look on his face when he saw a hot tub in the dining room! And I was in it! Above the hot tub was our dining room light and I had the lights dimmed, candles in the background and soft music on the CD player.

We had the best time and made lasting memories while that hot tub was there. The best part of renting the hot tub, the company that I rented it from was in a home and garden show and called to tell me that they couldn't pick it up for a few days! Submitted by: Darlene O'Donnell

A DIFFERENT KIND OF PARK

2011-02-14T05:17:00.001-08:00

My girlfriend used to get disinterested easily, so I had to keep
finding new ways to keep her interested. One way was something out of
character for me, was to take her to the Cemetery for a picnic. Before
I got her, I purchased her favorite drink (diet coke) and her favorite
food (pineapple pizza) and set up a picnic in the cemetery with two
wine glasses set across from each other.

Hers was the one with her favorite flower sitting inside of it (a
rose) and beside that was a heart shaped box. When we got there she
opened the box to find chocolates surrounding a heart made of barbed
wire, after the laughing subsided, we had a wonderful afternoon of
relaxing in the most quiet place I knew of. I chose the quiet place
because we had earlier discussed that we did not have enough time for
each other as our obligations to other people got in the way.

You can chooses any spot and modify this accordingly.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE VALENTINE'S IDEAS

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HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU

2011-02-14T05:16:00.003-08:00

Last year for Valentine's Day I came across a copy of the children's
book How Much Do I Love You. I thought the story was very cute about a
big hare and its little hare and how they try to show one another
their love. To make the story more personalized, I printed out our
"pet" names for one another and glued them over the names of the
characters in the book (so now the story was about us!). She was so
amazed to open up the book and read the story that she took it to her
mother to show what I had done (the book still sits by our two stuffed
bunny rabbits in our guest bedroom).

CLICK HERE FOR MORE VALENTINE'S IDEAS

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SHOW THE WORLD YOUR LOVE

2011-02-14T05:16:00.001-08:00

One year when we had no money, my husband spelled "I love you Susan Jo" with cutout letters of cardboard and put it on our garage door. When I came home from work, that was there for all the world to see. He was used to coming up with creative idea's on a budget :-)

Well, this year was no different, we live in Ohio, where there is usually snow on the ground in February. So, my hubby got a red can of spray paint (he had already) and out in our pasture, he wrote his Valentine message to me! It was beautiful! Bright red paint on the glistening snow saying "I love you, the love of my life!" The people he worked with thought it was so neat, the newspaper came and took a picture and it was in the evening news! It is one of my most memorable gifts ever!

how green is your love life?

2011-02-14T05:12:00.001-08:00

You drive a hybrid, eat organic, and are passionate about recycling. But how green is your love life?

Think about those lovely Valentine's Day roses and the environmental costs of growing them and the carbon miles involved in flying them in from faraway lands.

And what about used condoms, tossed into the toilet and making their way into sewers that perhaps pollute the ocean?

If an ecologically sustainable life between the sheets hasn't crossed your mind, you're still a "total environmental neophyte", according to author Stefanie Iris Weiss.

But help is on the way with Weiss's new handbook "Eco-Sex", which leaves no stone unturned in its mission to bring the bedroom front and centre into the battle to save the planet.

"I have always wanted to write a sex book. I am a very committed greenie, and I have been a vegetarian for 20 years. I saw a gap in the market and I couldn't believe no one had written about this topic," Weiss, 38, told Reuters.

"I think green sex is having its moment right now. I think it is the next big thing in green. People are realizing that their every day, most intimate habits, are deeply connected to this horrible crisis we are in," she said.

"Eco-Sex" will land on retail bookshelves on March 31 by Ten Speed Press.

From hand-cranked sex toys (and Web sites where old battery-driven devices can be recycled) to healthy, eco-friendly underwear (bamboo) and dating sites for ecological warriors, "Eco-Sex" aims to show readers how to reduce the carbon footprint of their love life -- and have fun doing it

REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE

Weiss, who says she either tried out or reviewed every item in the book, interviewed raw food chefs to get recipes for aphrodisiac meals for two, suggests the ideal first eco-date (biking), and recommends natural latex mattresses (but warns they are less bouncy than those made of springs, coils and synthetic foam).

She finds a vast range of natural or organic cosmetics, condoms made of latex that are also biodegradable, and resources for eco-sexy bling -- because neither diamonds nor gold are a self-respecting green girl's best friend.

"It was the most fun I have ever had researching a book in my life," she said.

As for flowers for your sweetheart -- the true eco-sexual would grow them in the backyard, or at least buy them locally from a farmers' market.

Weiss admits that "some people are going to make fun of the notion of eco-sex. I expect that."

She says eco-sex doesn't have to be tame, adding you can be passionate in bed and about Mother Earth "without coming off like you're (a 1960s hippie) trapped on the set of 'Hair the Musical.'"

Despite all the fun replacements for essential accessories in the dating game -- like plain old baking soda instead of chemical-heavy commercial teeth whiteners -- there is a serious side to "Eco-Sex".

With the planet headed towards a population of around nine billion oxygen-swilling, carbon-emitting people by 2040, according to the United Nations, the ultimate carbon offset is to choose sex that does not result in having babies.

"The No. 1 thing people can do to be an eco-sexual is to have fewer kids, or have none at all," said Weiss, who is childless.

If that sounds outrageous, just give a thought to the 90 percent of the estimated diapers sold each year that end up in landfills. Or how the carbon footprint of one extra person far outweighs all the energy-saving lightbulbs you've installed.

"I think over-population is an important conversation for people to have. It is something people think about in terms of third world countries. But it is also a conversation that would benefit us in America to have," she said.

Valentine's Day is filled with cards, sweets, flowers and gifts, but its celebrations can create unintentional environmental side effects.

2011-02-14T05:09:00.001-08:00

Washington: Valentine's Day is filled with cards, sweets, flowers and gifts, but its celebrations can create unintentional environmental side effects.

However, that doesn't have to be the case this time, say experts. "It is possible to have a special, perhaps even more creative and memorable than usual 's Day celebration while still being environmentally responsible," said Kendra Abkowitz of the Vanderbilt University Sustainability and Environmental Management Office.

Here are some of Abkowitz's suggestions:

* Send an e-Valentine in lieu of a paper Valentine. If sending a paper Valentine, be certain to send one that is printed on paper containing recycled-content. Don't forget to recycle Valentines you have received that you aren't keeping!

* Give organic or locally grown flowers, a potted plant, a tree seedling or a perennial plant instead of the traditional bouquet of flowers.

* Give organic or fair-trade chocolates. Organic chocolates are produced in an eco-friendly manner without the use of pesticides, and fair-trade chocolates ensure that cacao farmers work in healthy, sustainable and safe environments while receiving a fair wage for their products.

* Make a donation to an environmental organization on behalf of your Valentine. Several organizations you might consider are the World Wildlife Fund, the Sierra Club and the Arbor Day Foundation.

* Plan a trip to a wildlife reserve, park or natural area. Your business will help support the running of such establishments.

* Arrange dinner at a local restaurant that specializes in organic or locally grown food, or make your own romantic meal with locally grown ingredients. Eating locally reduces the number of miles that your food travels to you and supports local establishments. Cooking your own meal will also save gas and money while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions.

* Commit to going green at work and home. Several easy ideas include turning lights off when leaving the room, shutting down your computer at the end of the day, creating a dedicated home recycling area, washing only full loads of dishes and laundry, moderating your thermostat when leaving your house or office for extended periods of time, unplugging appliances not in use and printing or using both sides of paper when possible.

Make your dating profile pop!

2011-01-09T01:21:00.000-08:00

By Lauren Ware

I read dozens of dating profiles every day, and not because I’m looking for a date: I am a professional online dating profile writer for Match.com’s ProfilePro service. It’s my job to take someone’s profile and some additional information gleaned from a survey, then use that information to craft something that really showcases who each person is as an individual — and that will attract the kind of person he or she is seeking.

As you might have guessed, I’ve developed a few ideas of my own about where people often go wrong when writing their profiles. I tend to see the same problems over and over again. Here are the most common mistakes people make and how to fix them so your profile really pops.

Mistake #1: Using generic, clichéd language
This is definitely the most common issue with dating profiles. It seems that everyone has a “good sense of humor,” is “fun,” and is “happy and positive.” Other clichéd phrases and terms to avoid: glass-half-full person, outgoing and friendly, romantic, affectionate. In general, long lists of adjectives will make your potential match’s eyes cross before he or she gets to the end of the sentence.

Solution: Get specific
When you want to use an adjective to describe yourself, think of an anecdote or example that shows how you embody that trait and share that instead. For example, if you are romantic, you might say, “I’m the type of partner who will plan a surprise weekend getaway to a cozy little B&B on the coast where we can snuggle in bed or watch the waves crashing on the shore.” Or if family is really important, you might write, “Nothing means more to me than spending the weekend cheering on my sons in their lacrosse games.”

Mistake #2: One-sided profiles
I always find it fascinating when a client either writes the entire profile about himself or who she’s looking for… and that’s it. My choice of pronouns is intentional: I’ve found, anecdotally, that more guys tend to write about themselves and don’t include much about the woman they’re seeking (except perhaps for “attractive”). And it seems that there are definitely more women than men out there who have a long, detailed laundry list of requirements for their desired mate.

Solution: Balance it out
Make sure your profile is balanced; definitely share some telling details about yourself and who you are, but save some information for the first email, date, and beyond! Don’t write an autobiography. And if you have a really picky checklist of traits your mate must possess, remember that you’re turning away potential matches before you even get to see if, perhaps, that one requirement just isn’t quite as important as you thought (such as having dark hair or being at least six feet tall). Some qualities are non-negotiable, of course, but if something is just a “bonus,” state it that way in your profile. Or you might say, “I’m particularly drawn to people with dark hair, but I won’t turn away blondes or redheads.”

Mistake #3: Too much text
You know you’ve seen it: a profile where you have to scroll down, and down, and down again… and by that point, your eyes are glazing over. As a profile writer, so are mine — and then I heave a sigh because I know I’m going to have to cut that profile way down, knowing that sometimes the client isn’t going to take it very well. People with long profiles tend to be attached to every bit of information that’s included in them. They’ve often worried over each word, trying to craft a profile that perfectly reflects their personalities. So I’ll tell you what I tell them: a truly standout profile isn’t very long; it’s usually a few short paragraphs. It can still tell you just as much about a person as a longer one will, but you’ll keep reading a shorter profile until the end without needing a nap when you’re done.

Solution: Edit, edit, edit
Here’s where a trusted friend — and, dare I say, a professional profile writer! — can really come in handy. Think about how you can say the same thing using fewer words. Try to put some of the information into the shorter sections on the left-hand side of your profile. You don’t need to share how much you love playing tennis in your essay if you already mentioned that in the “interests” section, for example. And shorten your paragraphs to three to four sentences each. Short paragraphs provide much-needed white space and help break up your profile so that readers can stop and take a breath between ideas. A quick-and-dirty guideline is to have two paragraphs about yourself, then two about who you’re looking for and perhaps one or two sentences at the end to wrap it up.

Mistake #4: Photos that don’t do a profile justice
Please, please take down that photo of you taken with your cell phone camera in a dirty mirror. It isn’t helping you at all. And do you have your shirt off, sir? Please put it back on! Whew, thanks. Now, let’s talk: You’re not doing yourself any favors if you have bad photos posted with your profile. And those include you with your arm around a woman who is quite possibly your ex, but probably your sister. Or six photos of your dogs in various positions on the couch. All kidding aside, even blurry, unflattering, or poorly cropped photos can really detract from your profile.

Solution: Tell a story with your pictures
I see way too many profiles where the writing is good, but the photos fall flat. We’re visual people, especially these days. Your photos tell just as much of a story about you as your written profile does. They should show clearly what you look like, of course, but also tell a bit about who you are. Do you like to kayak? Get someone to snap a photo of you in your boat on the water. Are your friends the most important people in your world? Hand someone the camera when you’re out dancing and get a candid shot. Make sure you also include one good full-body shot and one close-up of your face, but if you paid for a professional photo shoot, don’t put all eight of the “good” ones up. No one wants to click through a bunch of photos that are all really similar to each other. Pick one or two of the best ones and get some friends to help you take some candid shots for the rest of your profile photos. And please, no exes! In fact, if you want to avoid inadvertently turning someone off, don’t put up a photo of you with anyone of the opposite sex that could be misinterpreted as an ex — even if she really is your sister.

Lauren Ware lives and writes in northern Vermont. Besides crafting new dating profiles for clients of Match.com’s ProfilePro service, she pens the About.com Guide to Small Farms and writes about medicine, science, food and farming for such publications as Proto and Wondertime. Read more of her work at www.LaurenWare.com.

Think before you say ‘I do’

2011-01-09T01:01:00.000-08:00

By Khristina

About two and half years back, I wrote quite a controversial piece on marriages in India. The point I was trying to put across was, there are a few crucial things that you need to know about your partner before you get hitched, tie the knot, say ‘I do’… you know, the works.

In a country where arranged marriages are prevalent, how much does one really know about a prospective bride or groom before taking such a major decision? And keeping that in mind, love marriages are no better. I have heard of so many shocking stories about how new brides/husbands are jolted out of their happily-ever-afters, with revelations they never had a clue about; even if they have dated their husbands/wives, sometimes for years.

What is the solution to this problem? After interviewing many married couples, dating couples and singles at that time, I came up with 35 intimate questions you need to know about your would-be, before saying the all-important “yes”.

Now, make no mistake, I am not asking you to tie your would-be up in a chair, splash cold water over him/her and torture him/her until you get your answers. But, isn’t it always good to know as much as you can about who you are going to spend your life with, so that you don’t get rude shocks later in life?

How about if you can’t ask? Get someone close to you to find out. My only point is, find out now, before it is too late.

Here are some excerpts from that piece. I have picked 10 important things to know before saying ‘I do’. To read the entire story, click: 35 INTIMATE questions to ask your would-be!

For the sake of money:

1. What is his/her monthly in-hand income?
2. Any personal loans that he/she is paying off?
3. On a home loan? How many more years does he/she have to pay off the installments?
4. Is he/she okay if you have a separate bank account?

Okay so far? Moving on. What about the following career issues?

5. How many jobs has he/she switched till date? Any particular reasons for doing so?
6. If he/she gets a job overseas, will he/she take it? What if it doesn’t offer a family status?

Now comes the tricky part. Could these health queries make or break a marriage?

7. Will he/she take an HIV test with your family doctor?

… and these behavioural pointers:

8. Does he/she get violent when angry?

Here’s another tricky part, sexual preferences. Not THAT necessary, but useful, nonetheless:

9. Is he/she into deviant sexual practices?

And last but not the least, these social queries will give you a better idea about your future life with him/her:

10. Are the both of you going to live with the parents or separately?

As a footnote, I would like to add, I had written this piece on a site dedicated to women; so it is like a finger pointed at men/prospective grooms. But in this day and age, it is imperative for both prospective partners to know as much as they can about their partners.

Do you think these topics are way too much? How would you proceed to find out these answers? Do you have questions of your own? Or have an experience you would like to share? Do read the entire story and leave your comments here. To read His other blog posts, click here.

7 love lessons from married couples

2011-01-09T00:55:00.000-08:00

By Kimberly Dawn Neumann on match.com

Everyone knows someone who met their sweetie online, right? So why not rev up your love life in the same way? To get you started, we asked some of our Success Story couples who met on Match.com to offer up their best love advice. Why? Because clearly they did something right when they went online. Read on, then try their proven strategies for yourself… your love life will thank you for making these love resolutions!

1. “I will be proactive in my searching”

Success Couple: David, 43, and Tina, 39, Brooklyn, NY; married May 25, 2003
“Match.com was a great help to me in finding a lifelong partner, but the larger lesson is that I ‘put it out there.’ Instead of hoping that someone special would just suddenly appear, I asked people if they knew of anyone who might be a good match for me and I actively searched for her online. My goal at the time was to try and make two new connections per week. When Tina and I found each other on Match.com, I absolutely believe it was because I was actively looking for her. I suppose it’s no coincidence that I was a corporate recruiter, a.k.a. ‘headhunter’ at the time, so my ‘search’ skills were in excellent shape!”
– David

Lesson learned: Don’t just expect matches to find you! The most successful online daters know how to search (and wink, and IM) well. In other words, spend some time this new year seriously searching for potential matches. And then don’t wait for them to find you in their “Who’s Viewed Me” section. Initiate contact! It’ll literally double your chances of connecting with your match because you’re taking matters into your own hands… or into your own mouse, should we say?

2. “I will tell nothing but the truth in my profile”

Success Couple: Kevin, 49, and Dana, 45, New York, NY; married July 13, 2006
“Be honest with what you write, the photos you post, and in how you portray yourself. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you accurately represent who you are. There were times that I showed up excited for a date only to discover the woman was nothing like her online persona; it was so disappointing. Fortunately, when I first met my now-wife Dana, she was exactly what she’d presented… in fact, even better! We enjoyed a three-hour dinner with nearly no lapse in conversation. I know for a fact that wouldn’t have happened is she hadn’t matched her profile. Lack of online honesty starts your relationship with lies, and that never works!”
– Kevin

Lesson learned: Keep it real! OK, so we know it’s incredibly tempting to give in to the little voice in your head that says, It won’t hurt if I shave a few years off my age or post a slightly slimmer photo. But this year, don’t do it! When it comes to online dating, honesty is truly the best policy! Why? Well, if you pretend to be you’re something you’re not online, chances are you’ll never get past a first date (because your date will catch onto your lies over that initial latte). If you’re truly looking for someone who loves the real you, then don’t be afraid to let your real self shine!

3. “I will truly identify my deal-breakers”

Success Couple: Shannon, 25, and Matthew, 29, Chicago, IL; married September 2, 2007
“First and foremost, be honest with yourself. Sometimes online you see someone who might not totally be your type or might have something that doesn’t work for you, like smoking, but you find yourself thinking, ‘OK, maybe I could make this work.’ Though being too closed-minded can backfire, you should still really listen to your gut. With so many people dating online now, you can afford to be a little choosy and specific. When I saw Michael’s profile I knew he was cute, but if the other things hadn’t lined up for us too, compatibility-wise, then I don’t think we would have clicked. Spend time this new year identifying what things are your relationship ‘must-haves.’”
– Stephanie

Lesson learned: Know what you can live with and what you can’t. Discounting someone over eye color or latest books read is just silly. But if you know you need a partner who practices your faith, is a non-smoker and lives within 10 miles, then those must-haves should factor into your searches/winks/emails. It’s vital to your online dating success that you identify your deal-breakers. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting your time — and other people’s.

4. “I won’t be disheartened when someone isn’t into me”

Success Couple: Patricia, 66, and Josh, 60, Dover Plains, NY; married February 21, 2004
“My advice would be to tell people not to lose time being sad when someone rejects you. Early on, I was rejected by a very handsome and humorous Englishman whom I really liked a lot; but, unlike the real world where it might take weeks, months or even years to meet another ‘special person,’ online you can have as many dates as you like lined up the next day! And if I hadn’t kept at it after my first rejection, I would never have met my wonderful husband Josh!”
– Patricia

Lesson learned: There are many fish in the sea. The beautiful thing about online dating is that it opens up a whole new world of prospects that weren’t there the day before. If someone you like doesn’t return your interest, winks or emails, don’t give up! Keep searching until you find the person who reciprocates your interest.

5. “I will post or update photos for my profile”

Success Couple: Steve, 37, and Rachel, 31, Ft. Collins, CO; married September 18, 2004
“I read a lot of profiles when I started dating online and I found some that were very interesting… but if they didn’t post photos, I wouldn’t look any further. It is so crucial to see the person to get an idea of who he or she is along with the words in the profile. With Rachel, her pictures were so cute, and as I told her in one of my first emails, I had a real affinity for blondes with short hair! If I hadn’t seen her photos, I wouldn’t have known that about her. She also liked my photos of mountain-bike races and outdoor activities, because they showed I actually did the things she loved to do as well. So this year, make sure your profile includes great photos that represent you… it could be the winning difference in your profile.”
– Steve

Lesson learned: Make yourself visible! Like it or not, Match.com users who post photos get more responses than those who don’t. So if you’re serious about online dating, it’s time to show yourself to the world. Already posted but had the same shots up for a while? Might be time to start the new year with a makeover. New pics may attract new prospects!

6. “I will date outside the box”

Success Couple: Dana, 45, and Kevin, 49, New York, NY; married July 13, 2006
“When I first embarked into online dating, I promised myself that I would consider men that I may not have chosen in the past. I am an artist and always had relationships with partners of the same ilk… that always ended with drama! So I decided this time I would look for anyone who seemed grounded and together instead of someone who worked in a creative field. Had I not done that, I would never have met Kevin. I would have passed him right by because he worked in the financial industry! Thank goodness I didn’t. I have never been happier or had more love in my life than I do now. Before I would have said, ‘Oh no, I can’t date a suit.’ I ended up marrying a suit!”
– Dana

Lesson learned: Sometimes it pays to be a little more open-minded. Most of us can rattle off a list of what they want in a mate, but the thing to keep in mind is that sometimes we don’t know what we really need! There’s no reason you should consider someone completely unattractive to you or who fails the deal-breaker test. However, if your searches present a possibility you find interesting, albeit not your norm, consider giving him or her a chance. It might turn out to be the smartest move you’ll ever make.

7. “I will make sure dating doesn’t become ‘work’”

Success Couple: Josh, 60, and Patricia, 66, Dutchess County, NY; married February 21, 2004
“My advice would be not to schedule so many dates in a week that it becomes a tiring chore. Dating isn’t supposed to be like a second job. If it stops being fun, back off for awhile. If you burn out, you won’t have the energy if that perfect someone does happen to come along!”
– Josh

Lesson learned: Make dating fun! You’ll increase your odds for finding a match if you look at dates as a chance to meet someone new instead of an opportunity to “interview” potential partners. Don’t try to juggle too many people, and keep in mind that it’s a process. This year, relax and enjoy the ride!

Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a New York City-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Redbook, Women’s Health and frequently online for Match.com’s Happen magazine.

5 Ways to Get Over Your Ex

2011-01-09T00:48:00.000-08:00

Posted by Rich

Do you ever find yourself checking your ex's Facebook page, or asking mutual friends what's new in your ex's life? You know-the indirect stalking strategy?

Letting go is one of the toughest elements of a breakup. No one likes saying "goodbye," or coming to grips with the fact that they have to move on, or that something didn't succeed.

Here are the reasons (and solutions to those reasons) why it's so hard to let go:

There Is Always Something There To Remind You
Once a person is gone, all you have left are pieces of their memory. This can range from a strand of hair to a ticket stub from a special date, to a song. If you're especially sentimental (weak-minded) like me, you've probably saved many reminders.

Solution: I know it's hard to throw stuff away, but, you can always stow away for later, when you're able to look back fondly at things without all those negative emotions. Put it all in a box under the bed. Go cold turkey on that special song, avoid the cologne or perfume they wore, etc. It's like breaking an unhealthy habit.

There's A Human Network

It's ok to hold on to friendships with an ex's friends and family, but it would behoove you to avoid seeing these friends for a while.

It's all too easy to ask a mutual friend what your ex is up to. I've found myself "hanging out" more with mutual friends after breakups just to check up on my ex. Not healthy.

Solution: Avoid mutual friends, as painful and rude as it seems. And if you see them, you should not ask about your ex-limit conversation subjects to future and present, not the past.

...and an Internet Network

My friend Jess has a terrible habit of continuing to follow her exes on Facebook after a breakup. This does nothing but infuriate her.

She'll inform me that her ex is "happier than he's ever been," or seeing an annoying girl she knows.

Solution: De-friend them on Facebook so you can't see what they are up to. Even if you think you can avoid looking, the temptation will be there. Be diligent about cutting off contact across the internet.

It's So Easy To Jump In So Fast

How many times have you had to end a relationship because you couldn't stop thinking about your ex? If you're not over him, and you can't have him, you might get into another relationship in order to replace him. Eventually, it's going to come back to haunt you because you'll eventually realize there are things you haven't dealt with.

Solution: You should wait until you're over your ex before getting into another serious relationship. But it's tough to wait. It's not like you want to give up a chance just because you're not over your ex. Also, sometimes you think you're over your ex even though you're not. Hey, I never said these solutions would be easy!

It's Tough To Stay Motivated

When you're down in the dumps over losing someone, it's easy to turn inward and avoid going out, meeting people, even working. But the more unmotivated you are, the easier it is to obsess over the person you're trying to let go of.

Solution: You literally have to force yourself to stay busy and distracted. Not only will you meet people and remain productive, but you will find that you're not thinking about that person too much...which will help you let go.

In order to turn away from someone mentally, spiritually and physically, it takes power, motivation, force, and faith. You can do it because, in most cases, you were happy without this person before you met them-so you can be happy again.

Do you agree with my list above, and what do you think is the toughest thing about letting go of someone. What are your solutions?

Follow Rich on Twitter: twitter.com/richravens

5 Online-Dating resolutions

2011-01-09T00:47:00.000-08:00

By Margot Carmichael Lester

We all make online resolutions to lose weight or get in shape. But what about our love lives? Couldn’t we use a little improvement in our chances for romances? Odds are, the answer is yes.

A lot of people start dating online at the beginning of the year. Take advantage of the increase in volume (more potential soul mates), and resolve to give online dating a try.

Here are five resolutions to help you get started.

Resolution #1: Put yourself out there. “If you are feeling a little tentative about dating in general, online dating is a good place to start,” says Carole Brody Fleet, author of Widows Wear Stilettos: A Practical and Emotional Guide for the Young Widow. “You are far less vulnerable on a dating site than you are sitting on a bar stool on a Friday night, which is not the most desirable way to meet people anyway. With online dating, you possess far more control of the people with whom you wish to communicate. The site itself acts as a buffer, affording you a ‘comfort zone’ between yourself and prospective dates.”

Resolution #2: Promote yourself. “If you are unsure how to promote yourself, the first thing to do is to remember what makes you so wonderful and why someone would be lucky to have you,” notes Yvonne Thomas, a Los Angeles-based psychologist. Think of all the nice compliments you’ve ever gotten and accept them as the truth. This helps you begin to visualize your best self. “Don’t feel embarrassed for wanting to admit what wonderful things you have to offer,” she says. “Describe all your fabulous qualities, while remembering to not sound too intimidating. The more accurate and open you are about who you are and what you are looking for, the better your chances are that you will meet the right types of suitors.”

Resolution #3: Make your move. “Be proactive,” suggests Judith Silverstein, co-author of Online Dating For Dummies. “Select potential dates of interest and contact them directly. Try to have this be your main method of contact rather than waiting to see who responds to your posting. This gives you the control over the quality and success of your online dating experience.”

Resolution #4: Update your social techniques. “Online dating is an opportunity to tune up your relationship skills, find new friends and potential partners, and become more comfortable with the process of getting to know someone,” says Susanne Alexander, author of Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship. “If you have lived with a previous partner for a long time, you may have forgotten the important questions to ask as you build a relationship. If you are older, you and any potential partners will also have histories and children, which can shift the dynamics of relationship exploration.” Use dates as a way to gain information about yourself, the people you meet and the dating process. Even if you meet someone who isn’t your type, chat him or her up — practice will make you more adept at date-night conversation.

Resolution #5: Be focused and stay motivated. “Online dating (and dating in general) can get frustrating at times,” says lifestyle blogger Amanda Cook. “At the beginning of the year, write down the reasons you are making the resolution. During those moments of doubt and frustration, return to the list and reinvigorate your resolve. Confide in your good friends about your dating goals. They can be your best cheerleaders.”

The trick to making successful resolutions is taking baby steps. You don’t have to do all of these things from the get-go. “You can’t change everything at once,” Cook advises. “And acknowledge that change is scary, especially when positive results aren’t immediately noticed. Remember, resolutions are all about a new way of living. Give yourself time to adapt, incorporate them into your life, and eventually they’ll become second nature.” And when that happens, you’re bound to notice that your romantic life has changed for the better.

In 2003, North Carolina-based freelance writer Margot Carmichael Lester vowed to meet her match online. It worked. She and he are now married.

How To Inspire Your Spouse

2011-01-09T00:44:00.000-08:00

by davidlpatrick
21 Oct 2010

A couple days ago I wrote to men admonishing them to be leaders in the home via inspiration rather than domination. A commenter called me to the carpet to do more than admonish but to explain “how” to inspire. It was a great question considering I probably would have asked the same thing. Mainly inspirations takes it rooted place in actions before words. Plato says, “Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” So here are some ways I could think of that would help to inspire our spouses (especially as men). This is where I landed after giving it some thought, being mindful that this is an area that I am still trying to perfect myself.

Without further ado: How to Inspire Your Spouse:

Do What You Say: Ask anybody what makes for a great leader and chances are that there will be some mention that their words and actions match. When you do what you say you are going to do people believe they can trust you.
Respect Your Spouses Opinion: Your spouse’s opinion is no less important than your own. Give the same weight and attention to what she has to say as you expect her to give to your opinion. And really listen.
Don’t Argue That The Sky is Green: At some point in competing discussions we can sometimes recognize that we are wrong. Just admit it. Why are you arguing a point for the sake of winning? Admitting you are wrong will build your credibility.
Be (consistently) the change you want to see. (And don’t be a martyr): If you want to “inspire” change in your household, you start the change. Don’t make a big deal out of it either. If you are making the change and treating it like you are being nailed to the cross, why would you expect your spouse to make a change?
Not Speaking From Your Own Self-Interest: A big challenge starting out in marriage (and throughout if it’s not resolved) is dealing with the compulsion to speak from your own self-interest. How can you build credibility if your spouse can’t trust that you are looking out for their self-interest.
Don’t Assume Your Spouse Is Speaking From Ill-Will or Self-Interest:
Give in to their idea every once in a while: A good leader knows what battles to fight and which not to fight. Sometimes it’s just not that big a deal to simply go along with your spouse’s idea without putting up a discussion.

These tips don’t seem like they would be for inspiring someone to follow your lead, but what these do is build your credibility to your spouse. If they don’t trust you they won’t hear what you have to say. If your spouse believes that you are just trying to get your own way, they won’t believe that your advice is for the benefit of the couple.

Your turn… How do you inspire your spouse? What can your spouse do to inspire you

6 habits that keep couples happy

2011-01-09T00:39:00.000-08:00

By Kimberly Dawn Neumann

How is it that some couples seem to stay starry-eyed for years, and others let their sizzle, um… fizzle? Well, it appears that successful chemistry sustainers develop healthy coupled-up habits which allow them to keep their love alive and kicking. “People can have a lot of trouble staying close,” says Joyce Catlett, coauthor of Fear of Intimacy. “They get into relationships and think they’re automatically going to know how to make everything work, but figuring out how to stay passionate together is really a skill.” Luckily, they’re skills that anyone can learn. Here are six habits that you’d do well to adopt if you want your date to become your happily-ever-after mate.

Habit #1: Catch romance where you can
“You may start out with chocolates and roses, but the likelihood of being able to sustain that feeling with a busy schedule is pretty unlikely,” says JoAnn Magdoff, Ph.D., a New York City-based psychotherapist. Successful couples learn to build a bubble of romance at unexpected times — during their daily commute, while doing laundry — and in low-impact ways, whether that be a long, lingering smooch or just holding hands. In other words, the next time you hear yourself say “Oh, look, we’ve got 15 minutes to ourselves,” make use of it — that’s what keeps the spark alive.

Habit #2: Fight fair
Believe it or not, learning to fight right is an important part of keeping chemistry alive. Why? Because if you are constantly cutting each other down, it’s hard to feel mutually amorous. “There is no such thing as a relationship without disagreements,” says David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers. “But if there is an understanding that your partner can come to you with any dissension without being attacked, you will have an honest relationship comprised of ‘open discussions’ rather than ‘fights.’” Debra Tobias, who has been happily married for almost 10 years to her husband Steve, agrees. “Steve and I have learned to listen to each other when we’re upset and we admit when we’re wrong,” says Tobias. “We also make a rule of never, ever saying ‘I told you so’ no matter how much we might want to say it.” The result is that their chemistry doesn’t wane because they never let their arguments escalate to a personal level. Focus on the issue at hand instead of throwing verbal punches.

Habit #3: Nurture your separate selves
Going off to your book club when your sweetie’s out golfing isn’t a sign you two are drifting apart. On the contrary, developing individual interests allows for a richer life as a couple. By taking little “couple breaks,” you gain a greater appreciation of the gifts your partner brings to your life and you have more to offer as well. “It’s very attractive to be independent sometimes,” says Magdoff. “You feel better about yourself and you’re less demanding of your partner when you’re together.” After all, taking some personal responsibility for your own well-being relieves the other person of the pressure to “provide” happiness — so go ahead and nurture some solo adventures. That’ll also keep each of you stocked with plenty of adventures to chat about, which also builds your bond.

Habit #4: Take on a project together
Separate interests aside, exploring new ground together is also important since it strengthens your history of shared experiences. Jo Smith and her husband of four years found this out when they committed to running their first 10K together. “We were training together, carbo-loading and hydrating together, running the race together and ultimately succeeding together when we both finished,” says Smith. “It brought a whole new level of closeness to our relationship because of the time we spent learning as a duo during this endeavor.” Couples who take on adventures together get a sense of daring and accomplishment that can really kick up their chemistry!

Habit #5: Don’t let your physical attraction for each other dwindle
No doubt about it, couples with healthy libidos have no problem keeping chemistry cooking. (That whole “couples’ desire for each other naturally fades over time” excuse? Not true.) The trick to injecting more electricity into a lagging love life has to do with trying new things — sure, it can be easy to work on tricks and techniques when you first meet, but people’s preferences can, and do, change over time. “In interviewing people on the topic of physical intimacy, it became clear that the couples who were the most satisfied were also the ones who were open to some experimentation,” says Catlett. This isn’t to say you suddenly have to become a wild thing, though. Even returning to the basics you may have abandoned along the way — lots of kissing and eye contact, for example — can make the usual encounter feel very different… and much more intimate.

Habit #6: Engage in some mutual admiration
In order for chemistry between two people to thrive, there needs to be mutual respect. “It’s about putting yourself in the role of an observer of your partner,” says Magdoff. “Watch them ‘perform’ — I’m not saying they need to do a song and dance for you — just pay attention to the everyday things that remind you why you find them so special.” Then, make it a point to lob compliments their way. “A good exercise is to occasionally create a mental list of the qualities you dig about your partner, and to occasionally share one of your thoughts with the one you love,” says Wygant. Because the reality is, you’ll always want to be around someone who thinks you’re fantastic.

Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a New York City-based writer whose work has appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and Fitness.

5 Secrets Of satisfying relationship of Happy Couples

2011-01-09T00:33:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the biggest problem that couples in our country face is the lack of communication. There is always a mind-block; a sense of embarrassment to share thoughts and feelings, especially once the physical intimacy sets in. But as this Shine.com story will tell you, the biggest secret to having a happy relationship is having a wholesome communication with your partner.

Take a look at some crucial steps to have a satisfying relationship as on HybridMom:

1. Communicate – not just about your feelings – but about your day. Share stories with one another about what is going on at work or in a friend’s life; share what you saw on the news or in a magazine with your significant other if you found it interesting. Discussing regular day to day occurrences is just as important as staying in tune with each others’ feelings. It keeps you in tune with your spouse on a daily basis.

2. Take showers together – it doesn’t have to be sexual! My husband and I have done this from the beginning of our relationship, did it start out sexual? Probably. But over time it became an intimate thing, just extra time that we can spend together catching up on the day – it just happens that we are naked and in the shower!

3. Go to the park and swing, slide or just play – it’s a young and fun thing to do. It keeps you playful and is a great way to relieve stress. Real life can get so with overwhelming with work, kids, bills, laundry, chores – sometimes a play break is what’s needed to alleviate all of that, even if it’s only for half an hour.

4. Take walks – morning walks are a great way to start your day, not a morning person? Take an evening walk. Getting fresh air and exercise together is good for your health and the health of your relationship. Walking relieves stress, keeps you fit and allows quality time to be spent together.

5. Date nights – put everything on hold for an hour or two and plan on just doing something alone with your spouse. It can be dinner, a walk, the mall, whatever, just make the time for just the two of you with no one else around, catch up on your day or week or just joke around and have fun. But making time for just the two of you is important.
6. Play video games or wrestle-a healthy dose of competition is always good and it can be an entertaining way to not only have fun but a great stress buster as well. Just don't take it too seriously and be a sore loser because that would defeat the whole purpose.

7. Have sex-even if you don't want to, you need to keep the sexual chemistry between you and your significant other alive. Being intimate and showing your love for one another is a significant part of your union.

Click here to read the rest of this article. Written by thehoneyline.com for Hybrid Mom.

Is Fighting Really Good For Your Relationship?

2011-01-09T00:27:00.000-08:00

By Khristina – August 11th, 2010

A few years back, a friend of mine called me from a hospital. “Khris, I need your help. I am at (so-and-so) hospital, badly bruised; I need you to come here and take me back home.” I freaked. But rather than asking too many questions, I hailed the next auto and rushed to the hospital ER.

“What? Why?” were the only two words that I managed to ask when I saw him, sitting on a wheelchair; with cuts and scrapes; forehead bandaged in true Bollywood style.

After I took him home and he settled down, he told me his story.

“We fought.” (The couple fought often).

To keep the conversation light I joked, I hope she isn’t responsible for your “condition”.

“In a way, she was,” came the reply.

I gulped. Here we go.

Earlier that day, the couple, who’ve been seeing each other for over a year, fought over some, same useless topic; but that day, it turned ugly. My friend got so upset after the fight (which happened in an auto in peak-time traffic), that in a fit of spontaneity, he wanted to get out of the auto and leave. Only it didn’t strike him that traffic had started moving, and as he jumped out, the auto zoomed ahead. The result? He went tumbling down the road, and banged his head against the divider. Later, he told me how he thanked God in heaven there was not much traffic behind him, or else he would have been roadkill.

I am, however, happy to inform that the two are not seeing each other anymore; and he is happily married as well.

Makes me wonder; what makes people go crazy when they fight with a lover?

Red flags

Continuous fighting in a relationship could show signs of it breaking apart. Take for example someone I knew during college days. She was perennially angry with her then boyfriend. The otherwise docile, sweet girl turned into Miss Crazy. She would fling things at him, scream at the top of her voice. It was like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story. He brought out the worst in her, and she could not help but behave the way she did. It was out of control. After much counselling, she decided to give him the boot; and needless to say, she is back to her happy self again.

As you can imagine, I find it strange when people say fighting is good for your relationship. I, for one, don’t really believe in it; but sometimes, when I cannot help but unnecessarily pick silly fights with my significant other, I am surprised at how gratifying it is!

A friend of mine tells me, “Sometimes I love fighting with my husband because it brings us closer together.”

Another friend complains, “I hate fighting with my husband; but I really can’t stand it when he intentionally irritates me with mundane things. We end up fighting all the time. And he thinks I like to pick a fight, when actually, I don’t.”

Stop!

What I have realised through the years is that the ‘whys’ of fighting cannot be explained. The idea is to know and understand what can be done.

Believe it or not, there are rules to have a healthy and fair fight! These rules help you have a healthy ‘discussion’ (yes, we don’t call it ‘fighting’ anymore!), and will also help you develop good communication levels between the both of you. Take a look at these rules of fighting, as explained by a couple of relationship counsellors I spoke to.

Never:

* Use bad language while fighting.

* Threaten to terminate your relationship, just for the sake of gaining an upper hand.

* Become judgmental about his character if it has nothing to do with the fight.

* Use force (hands, feet, vessels, mobile phones) to show power.

* Quote past experiences. Let bygones be bygones.

* React! Yes, reaction is an emotional process that could make the situation worse.

Always:

* Respond! A response is to find a solution to the problem. This can lead to creative handling of future problems.

* Fight when both of you are calm and composed.

* Fight in a place where you will not be disturbed. Make sure the kids or a third-party are not around.

* Make sure that if he begins what he has to say, you allow him to end it. DO NOT interrupt him.

* Remember to express what you are feeling at that exact same moment. Don’t hesitate to say it if you are feeling “sad”, rather than “angry” at that point of time.

Making up tips…

Post fighting, both of you need your space to settle your emotions and get back together. Here’s what you do:

* Doing something that is ‘not you’ can be bring relief to the tension in your fights. Surprise him, do something that you would usually never do. Get him flowers, candy, or say things to him that you would normally never say. (Nice things, of course!)

* Say sorry. If it was your fault and you know it, say sorry.

* Celebrate! Once a resolution has been reached, celebrate the occasion. A candle light dinner, good sex. In other words, be close to each other.

* Last but not the least, FORGET about the issues that caused hurt. Rather, concentrate on the solutions that you have come up with.

So, is fighting really good for your relationship? There will always be differing thoughts on the subject. The key is to have open communication so that there is no scope for misunderstanding.

To read the rest of the story, go to: Is Fighting Really Good For Your Relationship?

Relationship Rules You Need To Break

2011-01-09T00:23:00.000-08:00

Make no mistake. Rules are good. And especially when you think about rules in a relationship, I believe many couples are confused and angry because the rules in their relationship are just not defined well.

For example, a good rule is for couples to keep a watch-out for unplanned spendings. A good rule is also to share responsibilities with housekeeping and cleaning.

But many relationship features in different magazines and websites talk about rules in a relationship that really make no sense. And this Cosmopolitan story is just about that.

“Instead of blindly adhering to a prefab and possibly outdated standard, it’s smart to consider how couples really function in today’s world and act accordingly,” says Los Angeles psychotherapist Lynn Ianni, PhD.

Rule #1: You can’t check out anyone else
Seriously, this rule is as outdated as dinosaurs. Who says you cannot give a good-looking guy/girl a second look? Of course, intently gazing at someone else, especially if your partner is around, is not right either. Keep a healthy balance.

Rule #2: You have to give each other the play-by-play of your day
Having no secrets between partners is always a good thing. You may boast, my partner and I have nothing to hide. But always remember, your partner need not know EVERYTHING. It’s some advice my mother gave me, and her mother before her. And it is sound advice I know I can give my kids too.

Rule #3: Sex always has to be spontaneous
So what do you do when you have daily meetings and your partner is preparing for a big promotion? Daily pressures can dampen your sex life. So what do you do? Plan the “date”, and look forward to it.

Rule #4: You have to resolve every conflict
No way. There are some conflicts that you both know will bring up dirty pasts (like ex-es) or the nasty present (nosey in-laws), and you also know you are far better off without it, why harp on it? Let it go. To find out more and WHY YOU SHOULD BREAK THESE RULES, check out the Cosmo story, here.

5 ways to understand him better

2011-01-09T00:18:00.000-08:00

By Laura Schaefer

Women have puzzled over it for years — why the heck do men do the things they do? Why do they profess their love for you one minute, then ignore you the next (say, when an Attila the Hun special turns up on TV)? Why can they not remember our birthdays? Let science explain some of these conundrums — and help you rev up your relationships!

1. Be patient with his memory
The hippocampus, where initial memories are formed, occupies a smaller percent of the male brain than the female brain. If on your first date he can’t remember where you work, even though you told him all about it when you met, just remember that size matters… hippocampus size, that is. Don’t take it personally. (Oh, and don’t be surprised when, months down the line, he has no clue you’ve just changed your hair.)

2. Don’t expect him to get hints
Have a crush on him? You may have to put it out there, because men aren’t as skilled at women at reading subtle emotional cues. As Dr. Larry Cahill of the University of California at Irvine puts it, “We have been assuming that the ways in which emotions are organized in the brain are essentially similar in men and women,” but they aren’t. Parts of the limbic cortex, which is involved in emotional responses, are smaller in men than in women. Additionally, scientists at McMaster University have found that guys have a smaller density of neurons in areas of the temporal lobe that deal with language processing. That’s why it’s probably a good idea to tell him directly how you’re feeling (“I’m kind of hurt that you forgot I hate sushi”). Expecting him to infer from your hints could leave both of you scratching your heads.

3. Don’t take conversation lulls personally
In fact, guys in general just aren’t as verbally adept as women are. Large parts of the cortex — the brain’s outer layer that does a big part of recognizing and using subtle language cues — are thinner in men than they are in women. A study led by Dr. Godfrey Pearlson of Johns Hopkins University has shown that two areas in the frontal and temporal lobes that play an important role in language processing are significantly smaller in men. Using MRIs, the Johns Hopkins scientists measured gray matter volumes in several brain regions in 17 females and 43 males. Women had 23 percent more volume than men in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and 13 percent more volume than men in the superior temporal cortex. “Women,” explains Dr. Cahill, “excel in being able to come up with appropriate words, given cues.” Men — not so much. Don’t expect him to chatter with you on dates with the skill of a girlfriend, and don’t assume he’s not interested in you if he occasionally lets the conversation lapse. Think of it this way: he’s simply basking in your moments of quiet companionship.

4. Appreciate his naturally upbeat nature
Does he seem to be “up” most of the time? It’s not your imagination: male brains produce 52 percent more serotonin (the chemical that influences mood) than female brains, according to a study done at McGill University. And studies show that fewer men than women suffer from depression. Guys may also have an easier time rolling with life’s big stresses. If he tells you he recently lost his golden lab or suffered a job loss and doesn’t get all teary, it doesn’t mean he’s heartless; rather, he has healthy stores of serotonin in his system.

5. Don’t expect his take on your relationship history to match yours
He may be incapable of seeing your shared past the way you do. Brain images have started to show that men and women use their brains in vastly different ways. For example, women use the left part of the amygdala — the part of the brain that creates emotional reactions to events — to put memories in order by emotional strength, meaning that something emotionally important to them (like a great first date a couple of months ago) will be ordered in front of what they ate for breakfast yesterday. Men, however, use the right part of the amygdala to put memories in order. Traditionally, the right hemisphere of the brain is associated with the central action of an event, while the left hemisphere is associated with finer details. Translation: you’ll both remember your first date, but he might not remember the color of your sweater or the light rain that was falling that night. It doesn’t mean he was checked out; it just means he’s a guy.

5 tips for bonding with her better

2011-01-09T00:12:00.000-08:00

By Laura Schaefer

Wouldn’t it be a relief to finally understand what is happening behind her pretty eyes? Why is it, for example, that the woman in your life is serene one moment, apocalyptic the next? How can she remember details about your life you don’t even recall? And what’s with her taking everything so personally? Chalk it up to female brain chemistry. Here’s how to tailor your courtship to her cortex, hippocampus, etc.

1. Pay attention to the little things

She’ll see shades of meaning in small gestures, because significant regions of the cortex — the outer layer of a brain that conducts much of its high-level computing — are thicker in the ladies. Therefore, an off-hand comment like, “I’d rather watch the game” might say more than you meant it to. Likewise, a small act of kindness (from a kiss on the cheek to simply calling ahead to make reservations) will blow her away because she’ll consider both the gesture and the thoughtfulness behind the gesture.

2. To keep up with her memory, take notes
It’s a scientific fact: women remember everything. The hippocampus takes up a larger percent of the female brain than the male brain, which is good to know because it’s where memories are formed. So while you remember — maybe — the day you met, she’s recorded your first flirtation, first phone call, first date, first kiss, etc. Bottom line? There’s a reason the PDA and the Google calendar were invented. Use these electronic tools to keep up with her mighty hippocampus.

3. Follow her calm lead versus instigating fights
She’s much better at reining in her aggressive impulses than you are. Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania measured the size of the orbitofrontal cortex, an area of the brain involved in regulating emotions. They then compared it with the size of the amygdala, which creates emotional reactions to events. They discovered that female brains have a much larger orbitofrontal-to-amygdala ratio (OAR) than male brains do. That suggests women are better than guys at responding calmly to rudeness or aggression. “The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is the main ‘modulator’ of amygdala action,” explains researcher Ruben Gur. “So if you are at a party and someone insults you, the amygdala, which is a very primitive and old structure in human brains, will be yelling, ‘Kill the guy!’ The OFC is the part of the brain that will say: ‘Consider the context; there are people around.’” Thus, if you want to impress her, quiet your own amygdala and behave as gracefully as she does.

4. Write her a poem... or at least a cute email
“Women excel in something called verbal fluency, or being able to come up with appropriate words, given cues,” says Dr. Larry Cahill of the University of California at Irvine. In general, women’s brains are wired to be more language-centric than men’s. Researchers at McMaster University found that female brains have a greater density of neurons in parts of the temporal lobe cortex, which is the area of the brain associated with language processing and comprehension. This could help explain why women often know the right thing to say, send great cards and love notes, and choose words with such care. In wooing a love interest, it wouldn’t hurt to get the help of a trusted female friend. She’ll know just what to say.

5. Be her serotonin
Women’s brains produce significantly less serotonin — the brain chemical that helps make us happy — than male brains do. So if she has a tough day at work, treat to her to a transfusion: try a pep talk, soothing back rub or long hug.

Laura Schaefer is the author of Man with Farm Seeks Woman with Tractor: The Best and Worst Personal Ads of All Time. For the other side of this story, read 5 ways to understand him better. To read the entire article, click here.

Am I in Love?

2008-02-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

Being in love is one of the best things that can happen to you. When you are in love, you simply feel it. The feeling of love is so very powerful that it just cannot be defined in words. You will certainly feel on top of the world, when you are in love. But there are times when you are not quite sure of yourself and ask Am I in Love? It could be infatuation or just a physical attraction. But there is one thing that keeps telling you that this is one and the only person with whom you wish to spend the rest of your life. This is the person with whom you want to share all of your feelings, be it happiness, grief or even the most embarrassing moments of your life.

When you feel all of the above, you will certainly find the answer to you question - Am I in Love? Many fall in love, some fall in love at first sight while others fall in love with the passage of time. Once you are in love, you will become even more passionate about your life. Love and romance are strong words, which have stronger influences on us. Right from roses to candles, every item that represents love will sway you.

The mere presence of your soul mate will make your feel good about yourself. You will find that the happiness that you derive by being with your partner is too good to be true. You will blush and you will sing, you will do everything on earth to bring a smile on the face of your lover. If you do all of these, you must ask yourself the biggest question of all - Am I in Love? The answer surely lies within you.

All the people who are in love must have gone through a similar situation. Each one of them must have asked themselves - Am I in Love? If you ever have to face this question, make sure that you listen to your heart. Your heart never lies, it tells you the truth. It will tell you, who is the person, you want to be with.

Valentine Romantic Tips

2008-02-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

Love and romance is a flower that brings happiness and fragrance to everyone who touches it. It gives us a reason to smile when the world seems upside down. It fills the empty places in our heart, giving us hope for a future. It brings shine in the eyes making us the most beautiful person on the earth. Love is happiness, love is joy, and love is the happiness in everyone’s life.
Let this love envelop you in its romantic cuddle this Valentine.
Let Valentines Day not be the occasion but love the occasion to Valentine. Here are some romantic tips to bring back that magic spark into your lives. Never underestimate the power of love. Even these small gestures, will fill your love life with romance and happiness. Whether you are looking for some great romantic ideas or a number of romance tips, we have it all. Bring back those moonlight walks and candle light dinners with us at MyDearValentine.
Love Until The Roses Die
When your girlfriend is feeling low or you had a fight this romantic tip will work out just marvelous. Go to a florist and buy a bunch of red roses. Also along with it buy a fake rose and put it in the center of your bouquet. Put a note saying, “I will love you until all the roses die.” She will definitely be surprised and at the end of it she’ll simply adore you. After all she’ll know that one red rose will never die like your eternal love.

Love Poems Love poems speak the eternal language of love and romance and are a perfect way to bring a smile on that pretty face. So on this Valentine, along with your gift select a nice poem self-written or you can select one from our love poems section.

Short and Sweet Fill some romance into your world with just tiny gestures to spark the magic of love. If you guys are living together, then scribble small messages and leave them in different places. Like if you leave for work earlier than your hubby then write a romantic message with soap on the bathroom mirror. It will be a great way to start your day.

Compliments Compliments go a long way. So pick up a thesaurus and describe your lover with the words that truly bring out the best in him/her. Use words like beautiful, handsome, angelic, divine, sublime, alluring, bewitching, stunning, gorgeous, exquisite, marvelous, magnificent, charming, enticing, fabulous etc. This is a great romance tip that works just perfect for both the sexes.

Pick a number This romantic tip is real fun and truly gives the meaning of love. Tell your sweetheart to pick a number between 1-50 and then shower him/her with that number of kisses.

Express your love Show your beloved how much he/she means to you by telling her that you love, adore, admire, cherish, desire, want, need, prize, esteem, idolize, revere, treasure him/her forever.

Valentine Date When you are planning for your grand date this Valentine, leave a little suspense in the air. Leave chits around places in the house directing your date to the restaurant where you are waiting for the romantic evening together. Arrange a car if transportation is an issue.

Tip off Prepare a nice romantic home cooked dinner for your sweetheart. Enjoy a cozy candle light meal and then put your bill across. Like salad: One kiss. Main course: Eight kisses. Dessert: Three kisses. (Tipping is strongly encouraged)". Your man will never mind these expensive dinners ever.

Perfumed Romance Sprinkle some perfume on a bulb. And when the bulb is turned on it will fill the room with its fragrance. Isn’t it a truly romantic setting? So let this Valentine be the beginning to a life long love with these romantic tips brought together especially for you.

Valentine Present Ideas

2008-02-13T07:35:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is characterized by mutual exchange of gifts between lovers. Lovely valentine presents are gifted to the sweethearts on this day. Markets get flooded with beautiful Valentine's Day presents and gifts at the onset of month of February. Valentine presents are of great importance as they become beautiful memories of this special day. Every lover starts searching for a unique valentine gift for his or her beloved from well before the Valentine's Day. A present received at Valentines Day is remembered for ever. It is the perfect time to express your deeply felt love and your gift will speak on your behalf.
Boys like gifts that are useful for them, while girls love decoration items, stuffed toys, flowers and jewelry. These and many other ideas can be found from different sources. Ideas are generated by human minds only, so you can also try to come up with your own unique ideas for deciding the Valentine gift for your lover.

Selection of Valentine’s Day gifts is a tough task, as it needs lot of thinking. A gift has to be such that it augments one’s love and not diminish it. Romantic presents; if not chosen properly can also cause an adverse effect on the love relationship. For an ideal gift, start thinking about what to purchase much in advance. Only then you can find an apt gift. Romantic Valentine gifts ignite the love flame into the relationships. Sometimes a bunch of roses can be perfect but sometimes an expensive diamond ring might not do the trick. It all depends upon the likes, dislikes and interests of the receiver of the gift. Many females like stuffed toys very much, so their lover – knowing about their affinity towards stuffed toys must give them with a cute one on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching! Good luck with your search for Valentine presents…

Valentine's Love Advice

2008-02-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

Love is a feeling that comes from the heart and changes our lives forever...
Love is special and love is precious. It comes in our lives like a soft breeze and things change forever. So when something is so valuable, we should make sure it stays with us forever. But as it is said the path of true love never runs smooth.

So here we are with some simple suggestions to help make your love life smooth and happy. Our love advice is simply a step in helping you see the stronger and the positive side of your relationship. Sometimes minor arguments can lead to a lifetime of heartbreak. But it doesn't have to be that way.

With these practical and simple love advice, you can work your way around nearly of any crisis. So don't give up yet. And better, strengthen your love bonds; as love is richer than all the gold put together and more beautiful than the nature itself.

Build a Bridge of Communication
The best way to enhance any relationship is through communication. If there is open communication there is hardly any room for misunderstanding or secrets. You will feel free and your love life will only turn towards the positive side.

But never use words to hurt someone’s feeling. Words leave a lasting impression whether positive or negative. So speak only good things. And even if you are angry, take control and speak after your anger has subsided. Let your heart do the talking not the ego or the anger.

Listen to Your Sweetheart
Well love not only means to speak but to listen also. This is one love advice that is useful for all relationships. Communication and listening go hand in hand. So understand the importance of both. When your sweetheart wants to say something, give him/her your undivided attention. If you feel you are completely stressed out and can’t give your 100% then say it politely like, “sweetheart can I freshen up and then we can sit and talk?” She’ll surely respect you for being honest. See the situation and react appropriately.

When you are listening, make sure your body as well as your mind is there. You can’t be doing justice to your relationship if you are thinking about something else. An occasional nodding of the head will reassure your partner that you understand what he/she is saying.
Also don’t jump at every sentence to give advice. Let her finish first and then you start speaking.

Praise Your Partner
Praising goes a long way. Most of the time the person we love hear praises least. So remember to praise your beloved once in a while. Leave small thank you chits to show your appreciation. When among friends and family praise him/her for being considerate and helpful. After all even the smallest gesture is an expression of love that should be reciprocated whenever possible.

Say "I am Sorry"
Well in this love advice we are telling you something that you know already and yet it is difficult to implement it. Saying sorry to anybody is never easy. Most of the times our pride comes in our way. But these three simple words are very effective, easily when it can save from building lot of resentment.

o the next time you have a fight, and you are at the wrong end say these simple three words and patch for the lost time. If you are finding it difficult to say it in person, take some help. You can write a big sorry note and pin it on the wall. Or you can write it on small chits on stick ons and leave it around the house. Sorry cards and flowers are also a good way to show that you really mean what you are saying. Let love be the only feeling that you two share, not resentment and misunderstanding.
So we have now seen that how these simple suggestions can turn the direction of your love life forever. So keep reading these love advice and change your relationship for the better. Happy Valentine! Be together always…

Love and romance messages

2008-02-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Love and romance are the gifts of almighty which leave an everlasting impact on the human beings for ever. Love is an expression that touches us all and yet leaves us speechless when it comes to expressing it. On the occasion of Valentines Day, we bring a selection of love and romance messages especially for you. Tender touches and silent prayers- this is the aura of love that surrounds the hearts of lovers everywhere. These are the expressions composed for diehard romantic fellows. Love and romance messages could be presented to your beloved as valentine gift also.

Here are some love messages that you can send to your beloved in a valentine e-card or even as a simple love note along with a gift.

* You don't have to love in words; even through the silences love is always heard. I Love You Honey!

* The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched but are felt in the heart.

* If you're going my way, I'll walk with you.

* No man is worth your tears and the only one who is will never make you cry.

* You can fall from the sky.
You can fall from a tree.
But the best way to fall.
Is in love with me.
* Last night I looked up at the stars and matched each one with a reason why I love you I was doing great, but then I ran out of stars.

* I love you not only because of who you are but also because of who I am when I'm with you.

* They say you only fall in love once, it can't be true. Every time I look at you, I fall in love all over again.

* Loving you is like breathing. How can I stop?

* Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you was beyond my control.

* Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will.

* Crushes are like the wind, they come and go. My love for you is like a mountain; it's here to stay.

* There are only two times that I want to be with you... Now and Forever.

* Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. So wait for me, I'll be right back.

* Tonight I ask the stars above.
How I'll ever win your love.
What do I do.
What do I say.
To turn your angel eyes my way?

* The shortest word for me is "I" The sweetest word for me is "love" The only word for me is "you!"

* The way you look into my eyes
It scares me
The way you say "I love you"
It scares me
The way you know just what to say
It scares me
The ways you scare me
I love it

Miss You Messages
Are you lonely this Valentine? Then bring your sweetheart closer with these romance filled miss you messages.

* To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. Missing You badly.

* It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. Miss You

* Loving someone isn't when you picture yourself with them, it's realizing that you can't live without them.

* You know you're in love when you think about someone more times in a day than you think about yourself. I Miss You

* Wanted by many
Taken by none
Talking to some
But waiting for one
I Miss You

Common First Date Mistakes

2008-02-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

So you finally mustered up the guts to ask that special person for a date. All set, you dress up in your best attire, groom well and take extra pains to look good. However, something happens when you are with that person, which makes sure that your first date doesn’t graduate into a second date. You think it went perfect, or did it? Just flashback your memory and think what went wrong. Sure, you took it seriously, but was it too serious? Given below are top common first date mistakes, which, though obvious, remain hidden and unchecked. Go through them and see if it rings a bell!

Dating Mistakes to Avoid on First Date

Cheap Deal
The worst and most common turn off is, being cheap. Not that one expects a Mercedes pick-up service and expensive champagne on first date. But at least show some courtesy and go to a place that offers decent food, wine and catering. Avoid going to fast food joints as you will be treating your date to cheap as well as junk food.
My Ex was…
Please avoid talking about your ex. There is a good reason why they are called your ex! No one wants to hear you bitch about how bad your ex was, how tortured you were, why you broke up, etc., on the first date. Chances are they may think you talk ill of others behind their backs and might do it behind their backs too.
I am So Good!
Yes, you have a great physique, Greek God looks, are the best basketball player at college, or get appreciated by your boss every second day at work. Your date, however, is not interested in knowing all this! Stop bragging and boasting about yourself. Agreed, you want to make a good impression but you do that without unnecessary frills. Be yourself; if you keep telling him/her this, you will come across as someone trying too hard.
Steal the Limelight
This one is for all the guys. It is the lady who wants to look special and the center of attraction, not you. Let her do the talking and make sure you compliment her. Listen to what she says and respond and you are on your way to earning brownie points and a second date.
Meet my Gang
Sure, you would love to show off your date to your friends but please don’t do that on the first date. Inviting your friends over for a date that is supposed to be special is just about the most ridiculous thing you could do and puts him/her in a very uncomfortable situation. If you have plans to go out with them also, plan it after the date and don’t rush the date just because of that.
It’s All About…
A very interesting topic otherwise, avoid talking about any kind of physical intimacy altogether on the first date. You might just come across a desperate psycho, looking for sexual gratification than a calm and relaxed date.
The Rude Side
Another mistake to avoid is being rude with the staff or the servers, or even gawking at other girls or guys. You are not only being rude to your date but also sending wrong signals of being non-serious.

Handling Relationship with My Best Friend's Sister

2008-02-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

Your spirits get to cloud nine if your love is reverted with same enthusiasm. Sometimes, it happens that the girl you have seen since years grows to be your love, but the problem is that she is your best friend’s sister. Never mind dear, keep in mind that everything is fair in love and war. Both love and friendship are beautiful relations and your friend will comprehend the things sooner or later. So, without delaying anymore, check out the below-mentioned tips to handle the situation when you’re in love with your best friend’s sister and enjoy the blissful relationship.

The very first thing you must do is check out the possibilities, whether the girls likes you or not. Keep a watch for signs, such as flirting or hanging around. Does she loiter when you stay with her brother? Prefer to remain the way you were earlier because it’s possible that she’s just sociable. When you’re in love, it usually becomes a habit to misread other person’s actions.
Consider about the risks like, is there any prospect that you will possibly not remain friends with her brother in case it doesn't work out or ends up. Inquire yourself - Is your love worth the risk?
Find a suitable moment, if possible a silent place away from your friend, talk to the girl and try to tell her that you have a liking for her. Notice the way she responds and if she doesn't like you, don’t say anything further.
In case she likes you and wishes to get into a relationship, ask her how her brother would respond to their relation. Sit together and make out something substantial.
Be honest, speak to your best friend and inform him that you like his sister. Let him know about your plans and notice his reaction. Allow him some time to accept the state of affairs.
Give time to both, your friend as well as your girlfriend. It would be better if you divide the time equally.
Now, take pleasure in both relationships. Always remember that each relation is different and requires to be managed well.

how to Get Over A Break Up

2008-02-13T07:12:00.000-08:00

A person who has just had a bad break-up from a romantic relationship cannot seem to fathom and accept reality. Constantly mumbling in self-denial, all that they can think of is whether this relation has another chance and a remote possibility of being together again.

It all happens when you think everything is perfect. Suddenly one day, it strikes you like a bolt. For a moment, you loose your sanity and behave like a five year old demanding for his favorite toy at the store. Ultimately you have to come to terms with reality. When the break-up starts to sink in your conscience, you try to hunt for unimaginable ways to make it work. The time period that you have spent together seems irrelevant, be it six months or six years. The pain is still the same. If you are one of those who have just had a broken relation, here are 10 useful tips for getting over a break up.

Clean Cut When you have broken off and ended this relationship for good, let it remain that way. Don’t go around with hopes of remaining ‘friends forever’. Cut the contact completely, erase their number, delete their e-mail address and don’t try to talk about each other to common friends (if you had any).

Let it Out Do let out your feelings. It is bad to keep it bottled up inside you, so let out steam. Cry, shout, scream and indulge in self pity. You will find that one fine day when you get up, you will not really burst into tears or mourn over what happened. Instead, you will look forward for the day to begin on a good note and smile to yourself. This is because the bitter feelings have come out of your system and are no longer there to disturb you.

Friends Never Say Goodbye! This is the time to go back to the friends who have been supportive throughout. They were there to put up with your tantrums and bad behavior and heard you through your weepy tales. Make up for the lost time by visiting friends or calling them up and talking about normal things. You cannot imagine the support and positive feedback you will get from them!

It's Pamper Time Go to the spa, get a luxurious massage, get a trendy new hairstyle, change your look or go on a shopping spree. Pamper yourself to the hilt. You have the power to heal yourself and make yourself feel good. So, do stuff that will make you happy. Go and munch on that plate of hot piping French fries!

List Priorities It is time to shuffle your priorities again. Take a leap in your career, do a new course, join a hobby class, learn how to paint, or simply adopt a pet. That way, you will have other things and priorities in life to look forward to and make you feel less miserable.

Take Time Whoever said time heals everything, has experienced it first hand. Instead of jumping into another relation in order to fill the void, take time to heal yourself and try to get over the hurt feelings. Prepare yourself for another person, but not at the cost of your vulnerability. Become strong emotionally and start a relation only when you think you can.

Be Positive Think of this ending as a new beginning. Yes, it seems downright impossible, but is not so. With the relationship gone, you can now begin stuff that you really never got a chance to do. Start gardening or dye your hair, just be positive that life is beautiful and will not leave you stranded on cross-roads.

Shun Negativity Try to let go off any negative thoughts or speech. Don’t think badly about yourself and don’t take any bad comments from others. What happened was probably inevitable or was meant to be. You don’t have to blame yourself for it unnecessarily.

Self Control Take control of your life and feel totally one with yourself. That is the only way you can start living again and look at the finer aspects of life. Pull up yourself together and organize your life in a proper way. Take help from friends if needed, but make sure you are in control of yourself.

The ‘Second Coming’! Yes, there are pretty darn good chances of you falling in love again! This time, it will be better as you have already seen the worst. You will have much more idea as to how to take this new relationship on a road that does not lead to failure. Love is too strong a feeling to happen only once!

How to Know A Man Loves You

2008-02-13T07:11:00.001-08:00

Being in love is such a beautiful feeling. The world seems a nicer place to live in. The feeling is increased manifold when love gets reciprocated. Sometimes, the problem is that the other person is too shy to express his love and we fail to see the obvious signs. This holds especially true in case of guys. Not only do they find it very difficult to express themselves, but are also very much afraid of rejection as well as of losing the other person as a friend (in case she doesn’t share the feeling). Now, you must be thinking how you know if a man loves you or not. We are here to help you with the task. In this article, we have provided a number of ways to tell if a guy loves you.

He is concerned about your daily life schedule and shows a sincere interest in it.
He remembers all you habits, sometimes even those that not even your closest friend does.
He finds opportunities for talking to you. Sometimes, he goes out of his way, just to spend sometime with you.
Whenever you go to a movie or a restaurant with him, it turns out to be of your choice only.
He stops spending much time with his friends and you realize that all that time is being spent with or around you.
He suddenly seems very much interested in your future, like what are your career plans, when are thinking of getting married, etc.
He calls you for a reason (which does not seem important at all) and ends up chatting for an hour over the phone.
He cancels his pre-decided plans, without the slightest hesitation, if you happen to ask him to go out with you.
He keeps looking at you continuously and the moment your eyes happen to meet his gaze, he starts looking elsewhere.
He is always telling your good points to his friends, family members and others people who are close to him.
He is never ever late for a meeting with you and always comes with some or the other kick-knacks, like flowers, chocolates, etc.
His friends and family members are extremely cordial towards you and welcome you with open arms.

It is said that a woman’s sixth sense is very strong. She can know the other person’s feeling just by looking into his eyes. You also do the same. If you find a happy glint and shine in his eyes whenever he is around you, it is a sure shot sign that you mean much more to him than a friend.

How To Have An Affair with

2008-02-13T07:10:00.001-08:00

Does the monotony of life wear you out? Do you hate the dull routine of your life and wish there was something exciting and adventurous to spice it up? A little harmless flirting brings a wide grin on your face; imagine what an affair would do! Agreed, being a family man/woman, you must be devoted your family, but a little harmless fun, without any emotional strings attached never hurt anyone! It is when you start getting attached emotionally that you invite problems for yourself.

Let’s keep it this way: you are on a low-cal diet. You see this bowl with a handful of crisp French fries and start drooling instantly. Without thinking even once, you just go and eat it. You get happy, smile to yourself and then return back to your low-cal diet. Of course, this is allowed just once and you are not to make it a habit, else it will eventually show! Here’s how to have an affair, just once! Remember, excess of anything is bad!

Log onto an online dating site where you find married people who are bored of their life and want to have some casual fun. Make sure it is a reliable site, else you might end up being duped and badly regret what you did.
If you don’t trust the internet, go to a club or a bar and strike up an interesting conversation with someone who caught your eye. Try to fix up another meeting in the near future, just to keep the excitement building.
If you are married, make sure your spouse doesn’t access your emails or even your cellphone records. Erase anything related to a possible affair from your online records.
Try to meet up in places that are away from where you stay or work. Chances are, Murphy’s Law might spring into action and your relative or worse, your spouse’s relative might see you cozying upto a total stranger in public. Don’t try to display too much affection, no matter how tempted you are, as it attracts unwanted attention.
Remember, when you are having an affair with a married man/woman, you are playing with the lives of his/her family as well. Don’t get emotionally attached and concentrate on having a casual affair and a fun time together. Once you involve the family, you can be sure you have already destroyed their lives.
Don’t make promises or commitments when you are already committed. If you fail to keep up to them, be sure your illicit act will be known faster than a wildfire can spread.
If you have an affair and want to end it, just do it. Don’t think about what your partner might say. Trust your instincts and if you feel you must end it, then you probably should! Move on after it and don’t try to drag the past into the present and spoil the future.

How To Handle Relationship With Ex-Girlfriend

2008-02-13T07:08:00.000-08:00

That soft shoulder is not there anymore to lighten you up. Since you broke-up yourself, there is no looking back either. It is possible that you have to see her daily at work and sentiments may provoke, trying to fan the flames of inner fire. But you have to handle the situation in a congenial manner, as you don’t want to resurrect the relation or worsen the situation. In such circumstances, it’s always better to tackle the things with a cool approach. Given below are some easy tips to handle relationship with your ex-girlfriend.

Once you resolutely broke-off, then there is no turning back. Throw away everything related to your ex-girlfriend, be it her gifts, cards or letters.
Ensure to communicate things properly to her, like why you don’t want any relationship with her. In case she still hopes to get you back, explain it to her that you’re not going to come back ever.
Once everything is over, don’t try to flirt with her again. This is because it would make her feel that you want her back. So, don’t make things turn wrong.
Just for the sake of dating, don’t get involved with some other girl and more so, when you are tired of relationships on the whole. If you want to confirm smooth life to her and take things out of your mind, you can always schedule someone else.
If you are absolutely rigid regarding the decision you’ve made, don’t propel mixed signals to your ex. Make certain that your friends are aware of your current status, otherwise you can again find yourself in problems.
It has been seen that people continue sleeping with their ex-girlfriend. This should be avoided at all costs, as it may again call back your emotions.
Treat her like you do any other person. Don’t talk to her about personal matters and simply maintain a distance.
If she is still interested in reviving the relation, tell her that you cannot take this relationship forward anymore and you’ve separated for good.

how To Seduce Guys (Seducing Techniques)

2008-02-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

‘Seduction’ is a game anyone can try his hands at. There is no book of rules, no set patterns and no foul play when it comes to the game of seduction. The best part is that it is a win-win situation, where there are no losers. Seducing your man will not only make him sweat and drop down to his knees with desire, but will also give a new zest to your love life. Unleashing your amorous self through skillful seduction techniques is also catalytic in promoting a healthy relationship. So, just dispel your shy attitude and try these seducing techniques on him to celebrate the sensual aspect of your relationship.

The Arena If you are really serious about playing the seduction game, first select an apt setting. Arrange for a private candlelight dinner with romantic music on the backdrop. There should be no other distraction and you should capture his complete and undivided attention. Let your eyes do the talking.

Smell to Kill The scent of a woman can be a key factor in sub-consciously stimulating the desires of a man. So make sure you smell like an aphrodisiac plant to succeed in the game. Underline your pheromones by squirting a few drops of perfume or aromatherapy oils like jasmine, rose or ylang ylang.

Hide and Seek Play smart when it comes to the dressing part. Accentuate your curves, but avoid dressing like a bimbo. Find a middle ground when it comes to adopting a kiss-and-tell attitude. Apart from looking sensuous, you should feel the same from within. Try wearing some lacy lingerie to highlight that sex-appeal.

The Poise Show a confident attitude and posture. Sit with a straight back and carry a positive attitude. Do not shy away unnecessarily. It won’t take you far. Instead, be super confident and sip your drinks with élan. But, don’t be overconfident. You might end up looking like an arrogant vixen.

Subtle While interacting with your man, your body language should leave hints of your latent feelings, without revealing the entire story. Play with your hair, lean towards him, caress other objects, make desirous eye contact or bite your lips every now and then. But don’t carry these gestures overboard or try too hard.

Magic of Touch Lightly touch him when he makes an interesting comment during the conversation. Accidentally touch him while reaching for other objects. Make all the touches at the right moment in an understated manner. This will kindle his physical emotions and create sexual tension between both of you.

Dancing Shoes Be it on the dance floor of a discotheque or the privacy of your bedroom, men love watching their women wear their dancing shoes as often as possible. Be assured that his heart will skip a beat with every step you take. Let yourself loose with some erotic dancing steps and light the last magical candle of seduction

How To Be A Good Girlfriend

2008-02-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

The initial stages of a relationship are the best. Everything is so good, you do not have a single argument and the entire time is spent in talking, while looking into each others’ eyes. To top it all, your partner seems to be just perfect. It is after spending a considerable amount of time together that the flaws began to surface and you start seeing the areas where your ideas don’t match. The key to a successful relationship is in understanding each other and adjusting to each other’s needs and wants. In this article, we have emphasized on the girl’s side and listed the traits and qualities men look for in a girlfriend. Just keep the given below tips in mind to ensure your relationship is as smooth as it can be.

Don’t Rush First of all, take things slowly. Don’t make him rush into things. Let him take his time to introduce you as his girlfriend. Agreed, marriage is a very important part of the relationship, but don’t remind him so on a daily basis. Just go with the flow and let time take its course.

Be Independent Yes, he is a very important part of your life, but please don’t center your life on him. Have a life of your own, spend sometime with yourself, hang out with friends and attend family functions.
Being there him when he needs you is definitely desired, but don’t keep clinging on to him.

Appreciate Appreciate him for what he is and don’t be constantly on the look for habits that you can criticize. Don’t try to change him completely. Remember, this is the same man who made you fall in love.

Have a Mind of Your Own It is not necessary that you should agree to what he says and disagree to what he doesn’t like. Have a mind of you own. Two people, who live together, have a difference of opinion on many issues and it is very natural too. However, please do not oppose him in everything he says.

Space Remember, both of you are different individuals and have a life beyond each other too. Let him have his share of independence & space in a relationship. Having a night-out with the boys, once in a while, is good for him. Again, too much space is also not too good. After all, both of you are a couple.

Be Cheerful No guy likes a girl who is a cry baby. Once in a while, all of us get emotional and end up crying, but do not make it a regular feature. Infact, guys like girls who have a good sense of humor. Have the ability to laugh at yourself.

Share His Interests No, we are not asking you to start lifting his 10 kilo dumbbells. Nonetheless, try to share his interest in cricket, football, or any other area. You can watch a game with him every now and then, trying to understand the game from him. If you don’t overdo it, I’m sure he will love explaining the nuances to you.

Pamper Him Most of the guys are pampered by their mums and if your guy is in the majority, it is your turn to pamper him. Do small things for him like cleaning his room, getting his laundry washed, cooking his food, etc. It will show how much you care for him & there are all the chances of his responding likewise.

Have Self Respect Guys like girls who hold their ground and do not take crap from anyone. Nobody is asking you to have an inflated ego, but never ever compromise on your self-respect either. He will respect you only if you respect yourself.

Be His Friend You have moved on from being ‘just friends’ to being a ‘couple’. Still, this does not mean that you will forget the ‘friend part’ of your relationship. Make sure to keep the friendship in the love alive.

Communicate Your boyfriend is a human being, not a magician, who will get to know your feeling on his own. Whether you are happy, sad or hurt, talk to him! You don’t need to tell him every detail of an incident, but please don’t keep him in the dark either. Never ever stop communicating with him.

Be Expressive Though guys deny it, they love reading romantic messages, receiving gifts, getting hugs, etc. Please be expressive in a relationship. He knows that you love him, but expressing it will keep the romance in the relationship alive.

Consistency and Patience his is one thing most of the girls lack. Do not keep shuttling between different moods and emotions. Be consistent in your feelings and moods. Do not jump to conclusion. Be patient and hear him out before saying anything.

How To Get A Girl To Like You

2008-02-13T06:56:00.001-08:00

Attracting a girl and asking her to be their girlfriend seems like a Herculean task to men who can accomplish tougher challenges in life. One of nature’s most mysterious creations, girls are a bit tough to woo. But it is not impossible! You need to get just a few basics right and there you go; the girl of your dreams will be showering so much love and affection on you that it will seem like heaven! just keep a few essential (and extremely simple) things in mind and you will see that attracting a girl is not as hard as you thought it would be!

Be Yourself The first and foremost commandment of the unwritten ‘Bible’ is to be what you are. Don’t put up a polished behavior just for a couple of dates and then resort back to your goofy behavior. She will run away so fast; you won’t even believe! If a girl has to like you, she will like you for what you really are. If you think you can be better, then change for good. Before you even know it, you will have the girl of your dreams having lunch with you!

Be Presentable Yes, you love those torn jeans of yours and can’t possibly seem to get out of it. But, this will do more of a repelling act when a girl is around. Girls like a rugged look, not a shabby look. Learn the difference between the two. Wear neat clothes, smell good and groom yourself well. It will definitely help you score brownie points, as girls love good looking and well dressed men.

Behave Bitching, talking loudly, eating with your mouth open, not paying attention to what she says, all this will come handy when you don’t want a certain girl to sit with you! But when you are out there attracting a girl, behave yourself and be a gentleman. No girl would want to stick up with a guy who has bad manners and is irritating. Don’t send wrong signals or make advances that are inappropriate.

Show Confidence Girls absolutely love guys who are confident of themselves. Know your way around and be responsible for her. Make sure she does not feel unsafe in your presence, but feels protected. Show her you have complete control over your life and ask her out without fumbling! Make eye contact, smile and walk with your shoulders straight. The correct body language goes a long way in showing immense confidence, so keep that in mind too.

Be Humorous Nothing works like laughter to break the ice. Be alert when she talks and create harmless humor out of what she talks (but don’t make her feel like a fool in front of other people). Don’t rehearse jokes and blurt them out at inappropriate times. Also, avoid telling dirty jokes that your guy friends apparently find absolutely funny. Show her that you are playful and like to laugh out on goofy things. Laugh at your own silly mistakes too. Girls like guys who can laugh without any pretensions, so make sure you create humor and woo her all the way.

How To Get A Girl To Like You

2008-02-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

How to fall In Love With Your Best Friend

2008-02-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

A best friend is a very special person. He or she is one with whom you have shared good times and bad, laughed endlessly at the silliest of jokes and quarreled as passionately like cats and dogs. In all probability, he or she will be the first person you will turn to when something goes wrong. A best friend is also one who’s always there to lend a sympathetic eye or shoulder to cry on.

Such unique is the rapport between best friends that when they are of the opposite sex, it is quite natural for both or one of them to sometimes start having romantic feelings, coupled with the desire to take things to the next level. But incase if it’s only one of them nurturing such feeling, what does he or she do? How does one effectively put the message across, yet taking care not to shock the other person, especially if he / she is totally clueless? That too, without harming the beautiful relationship.

How to Tell your Best Friend about Your Romantic Feelings for Him / Her

First of all, do not be scared that your friendship will suffer. Incase the idea does not appeal to your best friend, let him / her know that you two can go back to being friends again. This decision may be difficult for you, but this is the only way to keep your friendship going smoothly.

Tell your best friend about your romantic feelings for him / her at an appropriate time. Do not rush matters and give him / her time to decide. If you are lucky, the discussion may reveal that the feeling is mutual.

Jot down what qualities you like in your best friend. Now, mention things that you may want or expect out of a romantic relationship between you two. Eventually, highlight the qualities that match. The result may be surprising.

Before breaking the news to your best friend that you are having romantic feeling for him / her, start dropping hints by doing something unusual like going for candle light dinners, a stroll by the beach in evenings, etc.

Discuss about your future, dreams and aspirations. This will help you analyze if your romantic feelings for your best friends is appropriate / justified.

Unlike films, falling in love is generally a tedious process. Give one another adequate time and space for the friendship to bloom to the next level especially if you find that your friend is not averse to the idea. Remember If you're really in love with your best friend and wish to take your relationship to the next level, then it’s very important for both of you to be respectful of each other’s feelings. Do not ever coerce another. It will take co-operation from both to make the relationship work.

Questions To Ask Your Boyfriend

2008-02-13T06:52:00.000-08:00

What would girls do without boyfriends! They can be a gentleman when it comes to wooing, a pleasant surprise when it comes to voicing their feelings, adorably sweet when you are not well or have had a bad day and can be fiercely protective and possessive of you. Yet, sometimes, certain situations make these wonderful boyfriends behave in a way that may be a bit unexpected. Of course, they are humans too and have their own woes and troubles.

So if you think you have been in a situation where you simply seem to see an entirely new person in your boyfriend, don’t hesitate to ask questions. What I am trying to say is, you can understand each other better by knowing what you think about certain things. This can be done in a fun way when both of you are in a relaxed mood. Here are some fun questions to ask your boyfriend, just to know him better. It will help the love grow fonder!

Which song can you associate with my personality?
What would you like to change about yourself?
How can you describe me in a sentence?
What flowers would you like to offer me?
Which comic superhero would you associate yourself with?
One way in which you have changed over the time we first met…
Which day would you love to live again?
What is life’s hardest lesson you have learnt so far?
What/Who is your most valuable possession?
What would be your favorite guilty pleasure?
Your dream vacation would see both of us in…
What is that one thing that drives you mad?
What is that one thing you would like to do for me again and again?
Which celebrity would you like to become?
How well can you judge someone’s character?
The best compliment you have ever received till date…

This list could probably go on till eternity, so I choose to stop right now! The trick to ask these questions is that you need to place them strategically in a light and playful conversation. You just cannot go and ask your boyfriend these questions like a Rapid Fire! Strike up a normal conversation and just ask him simultaneously. It would help if you voice your opinion first on certain questions. So, go ahead know your boyfriend better!

Different Kiss Types

2008-02-13T06:50:00.000-08:00

Many people believe that there are only two types of kisses - check kiss and French kiss. However, the realm of kiss is very vast. To know more, read on!

In the Butterfly Kiss, you bring your face very close to that of your partner and then, flutter your eyelashes rapidly.
Cheek Kiss, as we all know, is one of the friendly kisses. It is usually adopted on the first date. You need to gently brush you lips across your partner’s cheek.
Earlobe Kiss involves sipping and sucking the earlobe of the partner. Since you are so close to the ear, do not make too loud noises.
In the Eskimo Kiss, you gently rub your nose with that of your partner.
Eye Kiss, as the name suggests, implies giving a tender kiss on the closed eyes of the partner.
You can do the Finger Kiss, while relaxing with your partner. Take his/her fingers and gently suck on them.
Considered an erotic kiss, Foot Kiss involves gently sucking the toes and then, kissing the foot very lightly.
Forehead Kiss is meant to be the friendliest kiss. You simply brush your lips across your partner’s forehead.
Freeze Kiss, also known as Melt Kiss, is the one in which you put an ice cube into your mouth and kiss your partner, while passing the cube to his/her mouth with your tongue.
French Kiss is the most sensual kiss amongst all. At times called the Soul Kiss, it involves the tongue along with the lips.
While doing the Fruity Kiss, you put a piece of a juicy fruit between your lips. While kissing you nibble a part of the fruit, while he nibbles the other.
In Hand Kiss, you raise your partner’s hand to your lips and brush them lightly across the tip of the hand.
Hot and Cold Kiss involves first licking your partners lips to make them warm and then, blowing on them to make them cold. Keep alternating.
Lick Kiss is gently running your tongue over your partner’s lips, just before kissing.
Lip Sucking Kiss means that you suck on the lower lip of the partner while kissing.
For Neck Nibble Kiss, start with nibbling you way up and down your partner’s neck. Finally, place a gentle kiss on his/her lips.
Nip Kiss will require you to slightly nibble on your partner’s lips, while kissing. Make sure you do not end up biting him/her.
While doing the Shoulder Kiss, come from behind your partner, give a slight hug and then, kiss the top of his/her shoulder.
You can do the Sip Kiss while drinking something sweet. Take a sip of the drink, leaving a little of it on your lips, and gently kiss your partner.
In Trickle Kiss, you take a sip of your favorite drink and then, trickle it into your partner’s mouth while kissing.
Wake Up Kiss is more about time than technique. Just before your partner is about to wake up, kiss him/her - starting with the cheeks and ending at the lips. Then, softly say - Good Morning!

Kissing Tips & Techniques - Be A Good Kisser

2008-02-13T06:49:00.000-08:00

It is said that just after one kiss, a woman comes to know whether you are the one she can spend her entire life with, or not. I’m sure that this one liner must have stressed the importance of kissing, for all you guys out there. Infact, being a good kisser is one of the essential requirements of having good physical relations between the partners. A kiss might mean anything, right from emotional affection to passionate desire. What you are able to convey to the other partner will depend upon the way you kiss him/her.

Kissing Tips & Techniques

First things first! Make sure that your physical appearance is attractive. Otherwise, the other person will not even feel like kissing.
Kissing means using lips. Make sure you lips are soft and supple and for that, start using lip balm on a daily basis. However, don’t use a balm or a gloss just before kissing; it will be a major turn-off.
Nobody wants to kiss garlic or onion or say, smoke. Do not kiss if you have just had smelly things for lunch or smoked cigarettes. At the same time, always keep mints with you, for that perfect fresh breath.
In the initial seconds, go easy. Give the other person time to feel completely at ease. You don’t want to scare your partner.
Always try different types of kisses. French kiss is not the only kiss in the world.
Don’t become so lost in the kiss, so as to completely forget the other person. Be attentive to his/her non-verbal responses.
Lastly, be confident. Getting nervous while kissing is sure to make the beautiful sensations end up in a mess. Just go with the flow.

Tips: How To Find A Date

2008-02-13T06:44:00.000-08:00

Most people, though lonely, dread by the name of finding a date. It appears as if finding a date is the most difficult task at their disposal. However, it should be noted that it is only our presumptions and doubts which prevent us from winning over the opposite sex. In case you are having problems in getting phone numbers, its time to stop and think. Remember, a little attention and confidence can make you accomplish any task, even if it is that of wooing Venus. To make the task easy for you, we have provided some of the fundamental tips on how to find a date. So, all you low lying single people, its time for some action.

Socialize : Make sure you socialize with your friends and colleagues. This gives you an opportunity of meeting their friends and in turn, finding a suitable date for yourself. Remember, the more people you meet the better your chances are.

Use Online Dating Services Dating services are no more a taboo in the society and people are freely availing them to get rid of their loneliness. It facilitates you to go through a number of profiles and choose according to your interest. Moreover, dating services are good options for those who either do not have enough time to socialize or have become bored of doing so.

Interact with People of Opposite Sex If you want your chances of winning a date to improve, make sure you interact with a number of people of the opposite sex. This enhances your chances in a way that you get comfortable in approaching them. Moreover, you become more receptive and grasp the signals fast. After all, practice makes one perfect.

Be an Interesting Conversationalist Once you manage to grab the attention of the person you are interested in, it is important to maintain it. This can be done by saying the right words at the right moment, exhibiting your gift of the gab exuberantly. Talk about the things the other person likes and has interest in. Moreover, do ask questions about their life, so that they remain hooked.

Keep an Open Mind Don’t forget, life is about ups and downs. So, even if you fail at your initial attempts, do not be disheartened. Do not evaluate yourself and your date just after your first meeting. Give yourself time and keep the doors open. Do not make hasty decisions, as you might miss something precious.

Be comfortable Don’t forget that to win over your desired date; the most important thing is to be confident of yourself. Self confidence instills a feeling of desirability amongst the opposite sex, making you appealing and irresistible.

Look your Best Maintaining your self image is also important in the game of dating. If you take care of yourself and your looks, it sends the message that you are responsible and cautious. So, don’t forget that if you have a date on your mind, take out the most chic looking dress from your closet, spend some time at the saloon and get ready to flutter some hearts around.

Don't be Desperate Even if you are losing your mind for that perfect date, don’t show your desperation. It sends wrong signals to your companion, pushing the other person away. Do not show much interest right in the beginning, so as to let the other person also put in efforts. So, remember patience is the key to success and also promises to reward you in the end.

Be Gentle Being gentle and putting on your best behavior is a must. It is important for your partner to know that what the various aspects of your personality are. This will give a chance to the other person to know what else you want from your relation, other than physical intimacy.

Getting Over Emotional Abuse

2008-02-13T06:42:00.000-08:00

Every other day, we read news about individuals being abused by their parents, teachers, partners, friends and the like. Usually, when we talk about abuse, it refers to physical abuse, sexual abuse or financial abuse. Only few people have realized that there is yet another form of abuse, known as emotional abuse. Emotional abuse basically comprises of using filthy language, swearing, saying hurtful words, lying, accusing other person for own faults, criticizing all the time, dominating, not acknowledging other person’s emotions, etc.

The worst part of such kind of abuse is that the person who is undergoing it wouldn’t even realize he is being abused. However, he will start developing behavioral problems like remaining aloof, experiencing low self esteem, losing confidence in himself and even becoming prone to depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Those who are emotionally abused often carry the burden with them throughout their life. The point to be noted is that getting over emotional abuse is not impossible. You just need to identify the problem and work over it.

First and foremost step towards getting over emotional abuse comprises of accepting the fact that you are being abused. Taking the abusive behavior of the other person as normal will get you nowhere.
The next step comes in knowing that you are not responsible for the abusive behavior of a person. Please, please, please, stop feeling guilty. You have done nothing wrong.
Remember that along with other relationships, you have a relationship with yourself too. Often this relationship gets distorted when you get abused. So, you have to build it again.
Try to forget the past. What has happened; has happened. You have no control over it and you can never change it. Accept the fact that there was a bad phase in your life and try to get over it.
Never ever let the demons of the past creep up in your future too. Remember, no two people in this world are alike. If you went through one bad experience, it doesn’t mean that good people have ceased to exist.
Always remember that only you have the power and the right to control your mind, your thinking, your emotions as well as your behavior. You will never ever let someone destroy your life.
Emotional abuse often leads us to mistrust every situation and every person. Relax, it’s normal. However, you have to learn to your inner voice. It will always guide you to the right direction.
Be confident of yourself and your abilities. The person who abused you was not competent enough to realize your true worth. However, you know how precious you are. Just keep this in mind.
Love yourself. We can never ever heal our wounds, if we always end up finding faults in ourselves only. Love yourself for what are you. I know that you are not perfect, but then, nobody is. So, learn to accept yourself.

I know it is not too easy to get over emotional abuse. Remember that ‘Impossible’ itself says ‘Im possible’. So, there is nothing in this world that is unattainable. Just be patient, love yourself, trust others and let bygones be bygones. And, keep smiling!

Tips : How To Flirt With A Guy

2008-02-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

Imagine you are at a public place , hanging out with friends. Suddenly, you happen to see a handsome looking guy standing with friends. Lady luck smiles on you and you find him checking you out. Now, you start wondering how to take things forwards from here, since flirting has never been your forte. Not to worry! We are here, at your service. Remember that in the game of flirting, you just need to play you cards well. Just follow the flirting tips given below and you will know not only how to impress all those good looking men around you, but also how to flirt with them.

First things first! For flirting with a guy, you need to meet him and to meet a guy, you need to go out. People won’t come to your house, so that you can flirt with them. Go out and meet new people.
Develop the habit of listening. Guys like girls who also listen, along with speaking.
Look good! If you look good, you will not only attract members of the opposite sex, but will also be more confident of yourself.
Wear outfits that accentuate your figure. However, do not wear too revealing clothes. They send wrong signals.
After you have found a guy worth flirting with, look interested. The easiest way of doing this is by smiling whenever you happen to meet his gaze. Guys are always a bit skeptical about approaching a girl, mainly because of the fear of rejection.
Every now and then, make eye contact with him. The first look will tell him, you are interested. The second will tell him that he is the one. The third will encourage him to come and talk.
Be accessible. A guy will find it very difficult to come and talk to you in a group of ten people. So, after you have given him the initial hints, try to move a little away from your group.
Speak in a low voice. Shouting at the top of your voice is definitely a big no-no in the game of flirting.
Strike a bright conversation. I’m not talking about stocks and shares (unless ofcourse both of you are interested in it), but the typical girly talks will get you nowhere.
Make your intentions clear. You do not want him to take your flirting for anything else! (you understand what I mean)

Lastly, be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Otherwise, you will never ever enjoy flirting and then, there is always the fear of the other person finding out what you really are

What ... in a Man must have for women usually look

2008-02-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

For this question every woman has her own reply. If asked in a group, this question can bring different opinions and suggestions. On the whole, the answer varies from woman to woman, as to what is her choice, preference and what kind of traits in a man can make her go weak at the knees. If you want to know than there are certain intrinsic characteristics that women usually look for in a man.

Must Have a Purpose

Such trait shows a man’s strong will and strength. Infact, it also depicts his degree of commitment, when it is about getting into a relationship. Nearly all women seek this trait in a man because according to them, this shows his attitude and approach towards the relationship.

Must Be Healthy and Strong

A very general opinion is that women always like men who are healthy and strong. It is regarding both physique and emotional framework. Rationales could range from a vigorous sex life to bearing a child. A healthy body always goes a long way.

Must Be Protective

Women usually want to see their male as protective. Reasons could vary from being providing security as a good husband to being protective as a loving father. Keeping such things in mind, a woman always prefers a man who has a protective nature.

Have Confidence in One's Self

It’s a big determinant while choosing, a man because a confident man is regarded to have guts of surviving in severe and trying conditions. It also shows the mental framework of the man. Body language of the man also plays a vital role. A positive body language works great to attract any woman’s attention.

Must Be His Real Self

Every woman searches for a sense of novelty in a man which depicts his presence of mind. Life is not a farce and one needs to be practical to understand real life, which is altogether different from reel life. Thus, it is always better that he shows his own self and reveals his natural conduct to a female.

Must Have Sense of Caring

Any man can capture the attention of women by showing a sense of caring. Usually a woman has the tendency to feel that her man can do anything for her. For this, man is not required to spend lots of money, but show her that he really cares for her. Even the small gestures like cooking a meal for her in the evening say a lot.

Must Be Funny and Witty

Some women also seek a sense of wit and humor in their man. Consequently, a witty conversation with a woman, along with a few jokes, can definitely work to impress her. At the same time, he must have the ability to laugh at himself.

How to Understand Men Bette

2008-02-13T06:33:00.001-08:00

Don’t be afraid if he doesn’t act in response, because it is likely that he has other things on his mind. Always remember, everything is possible and you can change things too. Try to deal with things in an informal way. See if your guy appears indifferent when you talk about something important? Does it happen that both of you want to discuss about same problem? What has been experienced is that men generally want to keep their problems to themselves and contemplate them for a long time. Never think that your guy is unable to communicate with you. It is just he wants to analyze the situation at his hand before saying something.

Frequently, it has been seen that a man would come with some concrete or definite solution to a problem more willingly than simply discussing various options with you. Once it’s about communicating things, give your sweetheart some space. When he talks regarding the issue, listen to him, rather than ignoring him at that time. Both the sexes have their own way of communicating, so don’t get upset if he doesn’t response in the way you wanted. Whenever such things happen, try to think about things by stepping into his shoes.

As soon as you understand that men think differently, you will find that you are relieved from a heavy weight. Slowly and steadily, you would recognize that everything is fine, and it’s just the way of thinking. Since childhood, men are educated to be detached from their internal feelings and women are taught to expect men to be strong and controlled. According to surveys, it is revealed that 20% of divorces are due to disloyalty and other due to communication problems and incompatibility. Men typically get into extramarital sex, when they are starved of intimacy at home.

To fill such gap, they get addicted to more and more sex. It is not that they are happy about it, but such a situation adds to their guilt, isolation and despair. Women usually gratify their emotional self through friends’ network or through their children. For men, sex is the only way by which they can get emotional closeness. What all can be said concluding is, we don’t think of the result in the heat of the moment and get into disloyal actions. Marriage is a commitment and one should respect his/her partner. If there are problems, sit and discuss them. Respect and care for each others’ feelings

Understanding Men in Relationships

2008-02-13T06:31:00.002-08:00

For all women out there, the idea of ‘understanding men’ had been the biggest query of life. Over the years, this question has emerged various times, and every time, a woman is simply left with blurred ideas as to what a man wants from her. It seems that men say something else and do something else. Most of the times, women find themselves confused and even bewildered after getting mixed replies or messages from their better halves. Possibly, if women used to think like men, then there would be no problem at all and this way, their relationship could be a lot easier and better.

Usually women have the propensity to grieve over problems as they wish for their problems to be recognized, whereas men generally complain about problems since they want solutions. People who have asserted ‘Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus’, have truly investigated the matter and come to a conclusion. Certainly, the viewpoints of men and women differ from each other and both the genders react in a different way under pressure. Men hardly ever consider about writing a love letter or sending flowers to their females.

At times, this becomes quite frustrating for a woman because she finds lack of romanticism in her partner. But keep in mind, men don’t always think in this manner. You might think that your sex life is not good since it lacks the gene of romance. Probably your idea of romance is different from them. No problem, share your ideas with your man. Tell him that you would like to get a phone call from him along with a sweet kiss or would love to get flowers sent by him at work. I’m sure you will see the results pretty soon.

Things to do for Valentines Day (For Girls)

2008-02-13T06:31:00.001-08:00

Dress like a waitress and serve him morning tea with a short romantic message, a fragrant bouquet and a sensual morning kiss.
Write passionate love notes on the bathroom mirror with a red lipstick. Let him feel your words as he reads them.
Don’t forget to look your best on that particular day. Buy a sexy cocktail dress for the evening and surprise your guy with élan.

Prepare some ‘Love Dishes’ that are considered to have an aphrodisiac effect (include strawberry and ginseng).
Light a few aroma candles all over the house and play some romantic and melodious music tracks. Dance slowly in each other’s arms and feel the romance once again.
Set a candlelight dinner for two. Include his favorite dishes and dessert in the menu. Have soft lighting and make sure there are no disturbances like phone, TV, etc.
Give him a rejuvenating body massage with sensual aroma oils. Pamper him like a prince and see how he perks up after the therapy.
Guys are always fascinated by gadget and gizmos, so gift him one that he is really going to like or has been thinking of buying since a long time.
Take a scented bath together an

Things to do for Valentines Day (For Guys)

2008-02-13T06:30:00.003-08:00

Serve her bed-tea with a ring inside the cup. Don’t forget the sensual kiss that should follow later.
Secretly stick a love poem on her bath-gown. Don’t act lovey-dovey before she discovers it. Let her take the initiative.
Write a heartfelt, romantic and handwritten love letter and place it on the bedside table with a bouquet of roses.
Plan a surprise dinner at a place where she loves to visit. Don’t forget to pick only her favorites from the menu.
Cook something special for her at home. Your efforts won’t go unappreciated. Add an expensive wine to the menu.
Play some of her favorite romantic tracks as you wine and dine at home. Switch off the TV and avoid watching her favorite sitcoms though.
Take her to the nearby beach for a midnight stroll. Slowly get that surprise gift out of your pocket and profess undying love under the moon.
Write love notes and hide them all over the house. You will surely make her go on a romantic hunt all around the house.
Click a lot of pictures together. Try different facial expressions and make your own Valentines Day album every year.
Say the conventional ‘I Love You’ in your own unconventional manner.

Signs of a Love Addict

2008-02-13T06:30:00.001-08:00

Are you or your partner addicted to love? Read the following signs to know how to distinguish a ‘love addict’.

A love addict is excessively attracted to his partner and idolizes him.
His talks always revolve around his partner or his partner’s activities.
A love addict dwells in a fantasy world with his partner.
Such a person feels complete only when in a relationship.
He is in constant fear of being abandoned/ rejected by his partner.
Highly insecure about the relationship and therefore remains depressed.
He is generally not very attached to his parents and family.
Generally a love addict is highly unpredictable and moody.
A love addict also fears of being controlled in the relationship.
A love addict loves to have power over relationships/ persons.
He gets suicidal when a relationship doesn’t work out.
He might also abruptly switch to a new relationship after a break-up.
A love addict fails to demarcate between ’love’ and ‘sex’.
He is highly manipulative and uses sex to control his partner.
A love addict normally avoids problems inside/ outside the relationship.

Thus, we see that a love addict is not someone with whom you can share a blissful bond. If, you are sadly suck in the quagmire of such a relationship, its time that you break the chokeholds. Seek professional help if you feel your partner deserves a chance. Otherwise, boldly walk out of the person’s life. After all, you deserve more from life, other than struggling with someone’s eccentricity.

Love is all consuming and all sustaining and makes you experience some of the most magical moments in your life. But, when love is so overwhelming that you lose your identity and sense of self without being in a relationship, love gets highly sordid and dangerous. Such is the case with a ‘love addict’. Such a person is highly addictive to the whole concept of being in love. When in a relationship, such a person remains completely obsessed with his / her romantic companion. Because of the glorification of love in various movies, sitcoms and romantic novels, ‘love addiction’ might sound quite fascinating to some people. But, in reality, it is as pathological as any other from of obsession.
A love addict often resorts to violence or other precarious means to hold back their love. They believe that the meaning of life is nullified without the presence of a partner, or without being in a relationship. They might also be suicidal if a relationship doesn’t work out. Sometimes their frustration might lead them to indulge in a new relationship or even unhealthy sexual liaisons. Thus, a love addict’s desire for a relationship can never be quenched. More than with their partner, they are in love with the relationship itself. Thus, such form of fanatic love should never be confused with true love. True love is selfless and positive, whereas such a form of obsessive love is selfish and destructive

How To Talk To Girls Tips

2008-02-13T06:29:00.001-08:00

Most of the men get stumped when it comes to going upto a girl and talking to her. The problem, they either do not know how to start a conversation or do not know how to keep it going. Either ways, the result is a life of bachelorhood. If you are one of those who find it difficult to talk to girls, we are here to solve your problem. It is not that difficult to understand girls and converse with them. You just need to keep certain basic tips in mind. In the following lines, we have given complete information on how to talk to girls at parties, and otherwise, along with some great party conversation starters for guys.

While approaching a girl make sure to look head on and maintain eye contact. Sideways glances are not likely to go down too well.
Now comes the part of introduction. Most probably, you will offer you hand in a handshake. Make sure that your hand is not sweaty and the handshake is firm, and not too weak or clammy.
Concentrate a little on your voice. Though you cannot do much about it, try to make it sound a little deep.
Next comes the time of a conversation starter. Be natural. Do not say lines that you have rehearsed beforehand. She will come to know of it as soon as you open your mouth.
To start a conversation, look for the things around you that might catch her attention too. For example, if you are in a discotheque, comment on the DJ. Then, you can go on to the kind of music she likes and so on.
Now, for maintaining the conversation. At times, an awkward silence creeps up into the conversation, making the other person appear boring. Make sure you do not encounter things like that. Be genuinely interested in what she says and then, let her words flow.
Throughout the length of your conversation with a girl, be a little conscious of your body language. Be confident, stay relaxed and let her set the tone. Don’t keep fidgeting or looking here and there.
The last part will be closing the conversation. You can end up by saying that you had a lovely time with her and would like to have the pleasure of her company again. If she says yes, you can ask her for her number. If she is a little skeptical, give her your number and ask her to think about it and let you know.

Top 10 Romance surprise Ideas

2008-02-13T06:28:00.002-08:00

In today's life, it is almost impossible to take out time for an evening together. Weekdays are too busy and weekends vanish even before you can say, "I love you"! To keep up the spice in your life, we bring you different ways to be romantic daily. Make your beloved feel your love by following these really creative everyday romance ideas. Check out our top 10 everyday romance ideas and show that your love for him/her is still undiminished.

Write small love notes and serve it with breakfast, or hide it in his trouser pockets or under her pillow.
Set up a candle-lit dinner complete with soft music and champagne on your rooftop. If you don't have a roof, do it in your garden or simply your bedroom.
Make sure you give your partner a nice hug in the morning and mutter, "I love you" in his/her ears. Do it when they expect it the least.
Get his/her favorite movie and watch it while cuddling and sipping warm chocolate.
Just lie on the roof by his/her side in warm blanket and watch the night sky.
Get dressed to kill and indulge in some slow dancing at home.
Arrive home early and take your partner for dinner to a cozy restaurant. Just plan something nice after dinner, say a movie or a game of snooker or simply take a long drive.
Arrange a treasure hunt at home for your partner leaving clues on post-it notes to find the "hidden treasure", which is of course you!
Do something unexpected for your partner like cooking his/her favorite meal out of the blue, buying a nice dress for him/her, etc.
Send flowers to his/her workplace just because you miss them and are waiting for them to return home.

Romantic surprises

2008-02-13T06:28:00.001-08:00

The very thought of everyday romance is enough to get your spirits up. Everyone loves a hint of romance in their daily lives, though most of us are clueless when it comes to implementing it in our own lives. To keep the flame burning, we bring you tips for every day romance. Check out these tips and get ideas for keeping up the romance in your life so that the love for each other never dies. It doesn't matter whether you are 20 or 50 years old. Love knows no age! Also check our related sections on romantic surprises at work, breakfast in bed and the top 10 romantic surprises. Given below are some romantic gestures that you can do right now to make your beloved feel special.

Send your partner a romantic e-card right now telling him/her how much you love them.
Take a single red rose. Attach a note to it saying why you love them. You can get plenty of reasons from our related sections or you can use your original one too! Keep the flower in your partner's car or some place he/she is sure to find.
Give him/her a call right now and tell that you were thinking about him/her.
If calling is not possible, send an email or a voice mail.
Have flowers delivered at your partner's place.
Scan a handwritten love letter along with a photograph of both of you. Email it to your partner and see him/her fall in love with you even more.
Arrange a surprise date for your partner and look at your partner's face glow when they get the surprise.

A Girlfriend

2008-02-13T06:27:00.001-08:00

The feeling of belonging is itself is a blessing as we like to care and be loved in return. We need two courageous words to boost us so that we can stand up to the challenges and we also need a shoulder to put our heads in moments of crisis. A good girlfriend can fulfill all these needs as she can guide you in the right path, wipe away your tears and try to make you feel happy when you are feeling low and depressed. Although ‘girlfriend’ generally refers to the sweetheart of a boy, it may also refer to the relationship of friendship that exists between sisters, between a mother and her girl and between girls who are friends.

Girlfriends make you feel wanted and make you realize that her life is incomplete without you. She is understanding, compassionate in nature to make you feel secured in her company. But expecting all these would not be wise if you fail to return the favor.

Therefore, if you have a girlfriend, let her know that you cherish your relationship with her, and also that you care for her and love her, by giving her gifts Valentine’s Day flowers or valentine gift basket or even presenting her personalized love poems/ love songs for her or other personalized Valentine’s Day gifts. Treat your girlfriend in a special way on special occasions like Valentines Day or Friendships Day and convey to her the fact that she means the world to you. Some of the various things that you can do to see your Girlfriend delighted are:

Arrange a surprise dinner party or take her out for a dinner

Give her gifts,/a bouquet of flowers

Dedicate a song to her with the help of a radio station..

Take her out for a movie or a theater or a musical show.

Valentine's Day: Quotations

2008-02-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.

-Aristotle

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

-Lao Tzu

My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.

-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable.

-Henry Ward Beecher

Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age.

-Anais Nin

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction.

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Love has no desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires;
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

-Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

-Helen Keller

Love does not dominate; it cultivates.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.

-Zora Neale Hurston

Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love.

-Leo Tolstoy

Love is like quicksilver in the hand. Leave the fingers open and it stays. Clutch it, and it darts away.

-Dorothy Parker

I have learned not to worry about love; but to honor its coming with all my heart.

-Alice Walker

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

-Pablo Neruda, "Love Sonnet XVII"

The History of Valentine's Day

2008-02-13T06:25:00.001-08:00

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.

The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".

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Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

How to Propose a Girl

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A girl is nature's most wonderful creation. She can love like there is no tomorrow and hate like you wish you would die. She can be a protector, a healer a creator and a destroyer. For proposing a girl, certain things have to be kept in mind. It is a bit tricky but not impossible. We bring you some ideas for proposal to a girl. Following tips shall give you ideas of how to propose a girl.

* Do your homework. Get to know your girl well, before you pop the question. Get to know her interests, her dislikes, and her general nature that will help you plan your proposal in a better way. If she is shy and an introvert, propose when you two are alone. If she is sporty and loves adventure, then take her for rock climbing and propose when you reach the top.

* All girls love flowers. So get a huge bouquet of roses and tell her how much you love her and how much she means to you. Tell her you would like to spend the rest of your life with her or alone. Be ready to be smothered by a genuinely happy woman's hug!

* Appreciate her for what she is. Tell her "you look beautiful" when she does not have any make up on. Tell her she looks amazing when she is having a bad day and mean it. She will love you for it and will readily agree when you propose. Just don't overdo it, as it may look fake.
* Girls love to be pampered so when you intend to propose, make sure you are chivalrous enough to make her feel special and at the same time not look vulnerable. Women want a strong man, not a wimp.
* Don't force her to say yes. The worst you can do is to push her around and threaten her dignity. Tell her to take her time and that you shall wait. Be a gentleman and respect her. Incase she doesn't want a relationship, she will let you know of it then and there.