Forced to stay home for Valentine’s Day with the hubby? You’re not alone, as many celebrity families prefer to stay close rather than head out on romantic dates while dealing with the hassles of a babysitter or, in the celebrity case, overtime pay for the nanny.
Can you imagine Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie turning up for a special with the papparazi underfoot looking for clues about the latest celebrity plastic surgery? No – celebrity parents, especially in big families like the Jolie-Pitts, are looking for a bit more privacy when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day. And you can enjoy romance at home, too. Here’s how:
Man giving gift to woman. Photo: AbElena / Bigstock.com
By Vicky Oliver
According to Wikipedia, Valentine’s Day didn’t become associated with romantic love until the High Middle Ages when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Ever since, the day has been fraught with symbolism tinged with traces of anxiety.
We all want our gifts to communicate the appropriate amount of love, but we’re sometimes unsure how to accomplish that. Questions abound. Should you buy him a sexy card or tickets to a basketball game? Should you present her with costly French perfume, and if so, what brand? What, if anything, will he “read into” that scented soap-on-a-rope? Will she take those teardrop earrings to mean more than you intend–or quite a bit less? And then, on the other end of the love spectrum, what if you simply can’t afford to shower your loved one with the gifts that he or she deserves?
Follow famous New Yorkers. Photo: Nosnibor137 / Bigstock.com
By Jeryl Brunner
Someone once told me that when it comes to dating, especially early on, it’s important to place you and your date into the epicenter of something fun and amusing. So, in case you aren’t clicking or the conversation is generally going south, the environment around you can pick up the slack, offering instant entertainment.
So this Valentine’s Day, instead of going for the quiet table at the dimly lit restaurant, opt for something a bit more lively that will spark conversation. Honestly, I’ve been told that the circus makes a nice date option, and is good for people watching and observation. (“Look at that clown juggle 14 plates! Get a load of that tightrope walker!”) But since the circus isn’t in town, I turned to famous New Yorkers and their favorite romantic New York City spots for advice:
Relationships can be hard work, and they require a lot of effort to be put in from both ends. When you both commit, it makes it all worthwhile- in most cases. While many relationships start off on a high note and continue on the path of blissfulness, others plummet to a place of irreconcilable differences, physical altercations and repeated infidelity. They end up heading straight to Splittsville. In fact, all you have to do is ask the following couples:
Picturesque couple and landscape. Photo: prometeus / Bigstock,com
By Marianne Beach, GalTime.com
It’s a new year but you’re still stuck on that old guy. And now the most romantic holiday of the year is fast approaching. Wouldn’t Valentine’s Day be the perfect time to exorcise that ex and move on for good?
Create a sophisticated look. Photo: photoCD / Bigstock.com
By Sarah Thaman
Excited about an upcoming Valentine’s Day date? Even if you’re going out with your husband or long time bf, it’s a great excuse to shake things up and go out for a night on the town. Lost on what to wear? Never fear! I’m here with different looks that are sure to please you and your man. Here’s the final of the three looks:
This Valentine’s Day look is great if you’re meeting up with your date after a long work day. Switch out your shoes for a flash of metallic and a big cocktail ring to jazz it up. Keep your makeup minimal and freshen it up with a highlighter to give your face a subtle glow. When swiped down the bridge of the nose, the Cupid’s bow, and near the temples, highlighter gives your face a gorgeous, fresh look. The pop of seafoam green in the fold-over clutch adds a surprising and polished detail. Again, keeping with the “fresh” and sophisticated look.
Enjoy a romantic night out looking fabulous! For more Valentine’s Day inspiration visit this Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day at handbagheaven.com!
While Sarah Thaman may not be a professional stylist, she prides herself on choosing fashion that looks polished and classic, and she’s always helping friends choose their date outfits. Although she’s a writer for Handbag Heaven by day, outside of work she takes joy in being a matchmaker, a newlywed, and a momma to her precious puppy, Luna.
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Food Network star Anne Burrell knows a thing or two about spurring the fires of romance over the flame of a hot stove. Cooking has always been revered as a mutual romantic touchstone, and no day is better to exploit this fact than on Valentine’s Day. Be it chocolates or spaghetti with a nice bolognese sauce, treating your partner’s palette with care can lead to delicious consequences. Anne dishes on how to cook for your partner this Valentine’s Day, using the kitchen as an aphrodisiac atmosphere where love can only grow.
For more videos from CupidsPulse.com, check out our YouTube channel.
Does your relationship add up? NejroN Photo / Bigstock.com
By Donetta Huffman
Finding out if you and your sweetheart are meant to be is sometimes a gut feeling, judged by your relationship’s strengths and flaws. However, many couples (more often women) seek clarity by visiting psychics and astrologers. Whether for fun or to validate some serious decision-making about the fate of a relationship, these ‘supernatural’ predicting methods are a trend for young women looking for advice. If you’re a numbers gal, numerology may be the thing that you crave.
It doesn’t matter if you live life in the fast lane, with family in the suburbs, or somewhere in between, Valentine’s Day is a time to take a moment to appreciate yourself and those we love. My rule of thumb is to remove all pressures associated with the holiday and instead indulge in life’s simple pleasures. Because I am a Matchmaker here in NYC, I’ve ended up working in a very celebrity focused market. Therefore, let’s take a look at recent heart break and hookups as examples on how to make Valentine’s Day that much sweeter.
Couples going for hot air balloon rides. Photo: pasphotography / Bigstock.com
By Erika Mionis
Valentine’s Day is the one holiday completely dedicated to our love lives. If you’re single, you’ll survive. If you’re in a relationship, then congratulations! Now you can worry about gifts and date ideas for the coming holiday. Though there’s nothing wrong with the classic dinner date, you can be sure you and your significant other won’t be the only couple with the same idea. Here are a few unique date ideas to make this Valentine’s Day one you’ll never forget:
Excited about an upcoming Valentine’s Day date? Even if you’re going out with your husband or long time bf, it’s a great excuse to shake things up and go out for a night on the town. Lost on what to wear? Never fear! I’m here with three different looks that are sure to please you and your man. Here’s the second installment:
If the sophisticated and sexy styles aren’t really you, go for a sweet look with pinks and reds! After all, it is Valentine’s Day. Take a cue from the holiday’s signature colors and pull together a feminine ensemble. Don’t worry, this “sweet” look won’t be too candy hearts and lollipops. This dress hits on the color-block trend and the sheer fabric makes this look extra flirty. A red wedge offsets the outfit, and the quilted handbag makes for a great shoulder bag. Use a light pink makeup palette to keep your face soft and pretty.
Enjoy a romantic night out looking fabulous! For more Valentine’s Day inspiration visit Handbag Heaven’s Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day!
While Sarah Thaman may not be a professional stylist, she prides herself on choosing fashion that looks polished and classic, and she’s always helping friends choose their date outfits. Although she’s a writer for Handbag Heaven by day, outside of work she takes joy in being a matchmaker, a newlywed, and a momma to her precious puppy, Luna.
As Valentine’s Day approaches many people scramble to find that perfect gift for their sweetheart. So, when another box of chocolates or long-stem roses simply won’t do, order that special woman in your life a personalized Calendar Key Pendant from Not Just Any Old Day.
The jewlery is handcrafted and made from the heart. The key can be custom plated in silver, gold, gun metal or antique bronze, and will bear whatever date is special to the wearer. This signature calendar “Datesake” charm pendant is a hip, stylish accessory that is not only beautiful, but will be a main conversation piece for years to come. Celebrities like Ben Affleck, Vern Troyer, Joe Jonas, and Scott Baio have all given gifts like this to show appreciation for the ones they love, now you can too.
This Valentine’s Day, don’t give the ordinary, give the extraordinary!
Check out the complete collection of Calendar Datesake jewelry at www.NotJustAnyOldDay.com.
The big day for romance is coming up, which means it’s time to figure out where you might spend the holiday. Here are ten locations from great movies that if you can afford to visit, and if they are real, they would be a perfect spot to spend Valentine’s Day with your significant other.
10. Hawaii- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Jason Segel’s character goes to Hawaii to get over his recently ended relationship. On the trip he finds a new love in Mila Kunis. They spend their time together going to bars, hanging out on the beach, and exploring the beautiful islands. Hawaii proves to be a land of love in this great romantic comedy.
Adriana Lima and Marco Jaric. Photo: Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos
Winning a supermodel’s heart this Valentine’s Day may be easier than it looks. As Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima told People, roses seem to be the key. “If my husband sends them to me at home, I’ll be very happy. There’s nothing better than to receive flowers from someone you love,” said Lima. Other supermodels said they desired gifts with a personal touch such as hand-written notes on Valentine’s Day.
What are some ways to show your partner you care on Valentine’s Day?
Congratulations, you survived! During the past couple of months you plowed through the relationship equivalent of a marathon. You survived the agony of choosing the perfect gifts for your loved one during the holidays, then rang in the new year with great cheer, good spirit and much love. So, now it’s time to sit back, relax and take it easy on the romance front, right? Wrong!
Before you can even catch your breath, Valentine’s Day is upon us, the most romantic day of the year — so we are told. Contrary to what popular culture wants us to believe, for many people, Valentine’s Day is less fun and flirty and more stressful and sad. Maybe it highlights that another year has passed and you’re still not in a relationship, or recently have suffered a hurtful separation. Perhaps you just simply don’t know what to do to make this day as special and romantic for your partner as societal pressure dictates. Talk about unneeded anxiety!
This Valentine’s Day don’t mope around and feel bad for being alone. Celebrate being single! What better way is there to enjoy yourself than with beautiful red roses? Ode à la ROSE can help you do just that. Ode à la ROSE is a French-inspired, New York service that delivers what woman want for Valentine’s Day.
Ladies don’t deny yourself a day full of love just because you do not have a significant other. Include your girlfriends in the festivities as well by surprising them with a bouquet and let them know you love them for always being there for you. Don’t let anyone feel alone this year on Valentine’s Day. Ode à la ROSE is whimsical, romantic and fun – “Aren’t you the lucky one!?”
Excited about an upcoming Valentine’s Day date? Even if you’re going out with your husband or long time bf, it’s a great excuse to shake things up and go out for a night on the town. Lost on what to wear? Never fear! I’m here with three different looks that are sure to please you and your man. Here’s the first one:
Do something different this Valentines Day by taking the Night on the Town Tour with that special someone. Gray Line New York is offering a romantic date option for this love-filled holiday which would include:
-A fully guided tour of lower Manhattan in the comfort of a heated motorcoach
-A romantic dinner at one of Little Italy’s oldest restaurants
-A cruise on board NY Watertaxi where you’ll stop for a champagne toast with a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty
-A guided walking tour of the new Highline Park in the Meat packing district
-And a ticket for a jaw-dropping view of the city skyline from the Top of the Rock Observatory
This exclusive offer is being given at $20 off the original price! The tours depart at 6:00 p.m. from Gray Line New York’s visitor center at 777 8th Avenue, and return at 10:30 p.m. Take your Valentine on a date they’ll never forget!
A few weeks ago, on the new hit show Whitney, one of the characters was freezing her eggs in order to delay finding a partner and having children. Is this a sign of the times?
Both women and men are waiting longer and longer to get married for the first time, according to the Census Bureau, and fewer women are having babies before their 40th birthdays, the Centers for Disease Control reports. Interestingly, more and more women are having babies well into their 40s. Could it be that it has become more difficult for couples to connect romantically?
Selena Gomez. Photo courtesy of Chelsea & Charles, LLC.
This post is sponsored by Count Me Healthy Jewelry.
By Jeannine Drenchek-Scavo
If you’re looking for a great Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one, Count Me Healthy Bracelets are the hottest new trend. The bracelet is designed to help you achieve a healthy goal with style. You simply turn your daily target into a bead count.
Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Cameron Diaz love their Count Me Healthy bangles, and have been seen rocking them out in public. They are a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. The Wild at Heart style (Selena’s style of choice) is available in gold, rose gold and sterling and features 12 beads–each etched with a heart. They are less than $100, making it a great piece of jewelry to give wives, girlfriends, sisters, moms—any woman that loves style and wearing the same jewelry as A-list celebs.
Quick tidbits about the glamorous bangles:
– Guiliana Rancic, Fergie, Kelly Osbourne and other fashion-forward celebs also love and wear them.
– Available in over 15 gorgeous styles
– Two styles dedicated to helping raise breast cancer awareness and women heart healthy initiatives.
To shop and for more info visit www.CMHJewelry.com
For many couples, the lead-up to Valentine’s Day is an exciting time filled with promise and possibility. The cold weather offers an excuse to snuggle up, while the holidays are the perfect reason to shower each other with love and affection. Unfortunately, many relationships aren’t so lucky. According to a recent study in Men’s Health, the time span from Christmas to Valentine’s Day is one of the most common break-up times of the year.
Regardless of the month or season, when your relationship is over, you just know. But if you’re still on the fence, unsure what to do about your love interest, here are five red flags you should watch for in your relationship. Otherwise, you probably won’t make it to Valentine’s Day:
“What’s your sign?” is now a thing of the past. The phrase for 2012 and new trend is, “What’s your number?” Donetta Huffman specializes in personal readings, counseling her clients about their career paths, personal lives and business decisions. She is also highly skilled in romance and compatibility, helping individuals understand themselves and others on a much deeper level. Rather than using the stars for tarot cards and horoscopes, she uses numbers to tell all. The first of it’s kind, these cards can be utilized using only a birth date and given birth name. This method makes it extremely simple for everyone to calculate his or her own destiny.
For more information on Donetta Huffman and Numerology or to purchase one of her many services, visit www.semicirclenumerology.com.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter between February 1-14 and you will be automatically entered to win one free, 45-minute personal reading by Donetta Huffman, a professional Numerologist. She will also throw in her own set of Numerology cards to boot!
A woman realizes she is dating a jerk. Photo: stokkete / Bigstock.com
By Che Blackwood
Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to strap on your tallest heels and reserve a window seat at a chic lounge for some champagne and brie. Or, for the more traditional lady, there’s no greater treat than spending an evening enjoying red wine and dark chocolate with your love, be it your soul mate or your best friend. The only wrong way to spend this special day is with a jerk. Sometimes hard to spot, these heartbreakers have a pension for making their dates feel awful and are experts in keeping a relationship miserable. Fortunately, enough women have been there before you and there are now many easy to spot red flags. Keeping a lookout for these top ten signs you’re with a jerk is the first step to ensuring you won’t have a Valentine’s Day to regret:
Are you trying to keep the spark alive in your relationship? Try lazy lingerie! Former Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel kept the romantic sparks in her relationship alive this Valentine’s Day with the help of just that. “You have to make an effort … I actually have a line coming out which is Skinny Girl Smoothers and shapers and they include lazy lingerie. Because it’s something you wear under a blazer or sweater and then you take off the sweater, and now you have lingerie!” she said in an interview on RadarOnline. Frankel also spilled more secrets on how she and her husband, Jason Hoppy, keep the sparks alive in their marriage. “We do date night once a week. We switch off on who chooses the surprise place we’re going to go and we usually pick some hip place so we can still feel like we’re cool…”
What are some ways to keep the spark alive in your relationship?
