1. Know Your Lover
"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." ~Robert Heinlein
The best way to provide a memorable getaway for your lover is to plan according to their interests. This weekend is the time to reserve seats at her favorite restaurant, buy airline tickets to the city he's always hinting about visiting, arrange for that perfect picnic, or finally get that babysitter for the kids. Don't wait until next year. Your moment is now.
2. Gifts
"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift." ~Pierre Corneille
Gifts are an expression of our feelings. Be sure to enhance the experience with attention to detail. We are often very generous with the present itself, but fall short on the delivery. Try to spend a significant amount of time, before the getaway weekend, on presentation. Does she love roses? Consider spreading rose petals across the bed sheets or running a warm bath with petals and candles. Does he love chocolate? Skip the yearly heart-shaped box of chocolates for a basket of hand-selected pieces from a local or online specialty shop. Jacque Torres, Godiva, and B.T. McElrath are a few of the top chocolatiers. Even better, sign yourselves up for chocolate-making classes.
3. Location
"Laughter is an instant vacation." ~Milton Berle
If the means are available, leave town for the weekend. There are countless romantic places to venture off to either locally or globally. Venice Carnival will be in full swing, the evening lights of Paris will be shining bright, the charming locals of Hawaii will be waiting to greet you with a Lei, and New York City will be working to keep you partying all night. If not, pick your partner's favorite place, near home, for a day trip or weekend. Be sure to pre-arrange for any romantic details for your trip. On arrival, leave your daily life behind. This is an occasion for laughter and relaxation. Be funny. Be sexy.
4. Conversation
"We do not remember days we remember moments." ~Cesare Pavese
This getaway is a chance to indulge in reminiscence. We rarely return to the stories of our first days together. Take this point in time to talk about your awkward meeting, funniest moments, or the instants that defined your relationship.
It's also important to accentuate the experience with photographs. Bring your favorite images on an electronic-storage device or in a nicely decorated box. Be sure to flirt and hold hands.
5. Compliments
"I can live for two months on a good compliment." ~Mark Twain
Compliment your significant other. Our lives are often busy and we forget to express gratitude for their love. Don't assume that planning the weekend or buying presents is enough of an indication. It surely meets the requirements, but saying it aloud has a magical effect. Happy Valentine's Day!
Godiva Chocolatier 19-10-2010
Labels: Chocolatier, Godiva, October
Chocolates are popular as a toothsome sweet treat as also as a gift item. This speaks of passion and love. Whether it is Valentine's Day or Christmas or simply a weekend chocolates can be taken to the heart's content and offered to others too to win over their hearts. Indeed, chocolates are romantic gifts. Information about the top places for obtaining gourmet chocolate is important for going about with making the best chocolate purchase deals. One can simply chance upon some truly marvelous products by approaching the top gourmet chocolate concerns of esteem.
The name of Godiva comes first to the mind with the mention of premier gourmet chocolate providers. This is a popular luxury brand that makes a great presentation in terms of taste and gifting qualities. Apart from the range of delightful caramels, truffles etc. there is also a range of sugar free chocolates on offer.
Christopher Norman Chocolates is another top provider of extraordinary luscious and sensory provoking chocolate confections with classic flavors. One can get a taste of freshness in the unique products that are created in the New York factory from time to time using all natural ingredients.
Chocolates resembling semi precious gems can be secured from the top chocolate provider- Marie Belle New York. This is a provider of a signature line of chocolates made combining the best chocolate and the finest chosen ingredients while employing superior skills and techniques. A range of exotic flavors can be obtained displayed like gems in beautiful Italian boxes.
Lake Chaplain Chocolates is a top Vermont based producer of sweet indulgences- gourmet chocolates. From here is obtained the special combination of a rich fine-chocolate-making history, a heritage of craftsmanship and wonderful Vermont flavors.
The favorite truffles can well be obtained from the esteemed chocolate destination- Romanicos Chocolate. Hand rolled chocolate truffles with delectable flavors are its specialty. There are also beautifully packaged gifts of chocolates made available from here. The special Piccolo Art Collection offered from here contains hand painted chocolates that are filled with almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and caramel from Argentina.
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates also feature among top gourmet chocolate destinations. The providers of the premier quality chocolate profess to procure the chocolates directly from the authentic sources. The chocolates contain herbs, spices, local honey, Mexican vanilla beans, nuts and dried fruits secured from the very best sources. Securing a box of chocolate from these people can certainly be a worthy buy.
Gourmet chocolates can indeed make special occasions seem all the more special. And with the chocolates obtained from the top gourmet chocolate providers an awesome experience worth cherishing for a long, long time is assured.
This video started out a lot better, it had more stuff on the end and evem a blooper reel but my powerdirector was being lame and I had to edit out a LOT of stuff. This also was originally a video for LiveFromForks (youtube.com/livefromforks) but no one got back to me on if I could upload it so yea, here it is! Just me talking about Breaking Dawn, the release parties, etc. =) links: www.myspace.com/twilight_sm www.myspace.com/twilightmyspacefans BTW, Godiva is the chocolate place doing the Twilight packaged bars. "Godiva Chocolatier has released a special chocolate bar with the cover of Stephenie Meyer's first book "Twilight" on the product's sleeve."
Valentines Day is, traditionally, a holiday for lovers. For that reason, single people may feel left out and dejected this time of year. For them, Amazon.Com offers a full assortment of Valentines Day Gifts for Singles.
Maybe you've just ended a relationship, or you're a happily single person who nonetheless dreads the much-lauded holiday for lovers. Maybe you have a friend in a similar situation, whose day you'd like to brighten with a Valentines Day gift. Or maybe you'd like to celebrate your singlehood, by treating yourself to a Valentines Day custom-made just for you.
Why not start with a box of chocolates; one that you don't have to share, that's for your enjoyment only? Forget the diet and indulge yourself in a sumptuous one-pound box of Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: Signature Dark Chocolates Assortment. This sinfully delicious box contains 28 pieces of pure dark chocolate with a variety of fillings, adorned in Leonidas' signature wrapping paper and ribbon; not that either is likely to last long once you tear into this chocolaty delight!
If tasty milk chocolate is more your style, you may also enjoy Godiva Milk Chocolate by the famous Godiva Choclatier. Open up that classic golden Godiva box and enjoy 22 pieces of yummy milk chocolate, with flavors that include Cinnamon Blush, Coffee Feather, Open Oyster, Almond Praliné Raindrop, Pecan Caramel Duet, and more.
Traditionally, romantic movies and music play important roles in Valentines Day celebrations. Yet for someone who is fresh out of a relationship, a mushy ballad, or for that matter a movie filled with love scenes and sappy sentiments, might not be for you. Luckily, Amazon.Com offers a number of media resources custom-designed for the single person.
Beyonce's musical paean to the unattached woman, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On it)" is available on Amazon via MP3 download; as is the classic Love Stinks by the J. Geils Band. The film Love Stinks, meanwhile, is now available on DVD at Amazon.
Speaking of movies, Amazon offers plenty of flicks custom-designed for a single person trying to survive Valentines Day. From chick flick relationship survival stories like An Unmarried Woman and Hope Floats, to fun revenge fantasies like The First Wives Club, Addicted to Love and Diary of a Mad Black Woman, you can laugh and cry along with Hollywood's finest, from the comfort of your home entertainment center.
Literary inspiration is also available to singles this Valentines Day, courtesy of the much celebrated Chicken Soup book series. Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul celebrates the joys and explores the challenges of single life, adding laughter and wisdom to the mix for a satisfying read.
Also available for the avid-and unattached-reader is Xavier Amador's and Judith Kiersky's Being Single in a Couple's World: How to Be Happily Single While Looking for Love, an entertaining, informational paperback that explores the ways that singles can find happiness in a "coupled up" world.
If you're single, don't mope and cry your way through Valentines Day. Eat, enjoy music and films, read, laugh and live through Valentines Day gifts for singles; make Valentines Day a celebration of love. The love you have for yourself.
Labels: Singles, Valentines
Doreen Dailey took time out from her seven-horse stable in the Freehold, NJ area to drive to Monticello Raceway to compete in Tuesdays 7th Annual Lady Godiva Pace. The trip proved fruitful when she guided Bali Mystic N to a neck victory over Arts Investment. In Dire Need rounded out the top three. The final time of 2:00:1 is an event record having eclipsed the 2:00:3 mark set in 2007 when Devan Miller guided Bring The Pain to victory in the race strictly for women drivers. Dailey received a huge trophy and a box of Godiva Chocolates, the winning horse took home the blanket and the winning owners, Ken Clairmont and Lucia Ann Les, took home the lions share of the purse. New this year is that fact that the Lady Godiva Pace is now part of the Mildred Williams International Driving Series. The charity of choice today was the American Heart Association. (Monticello Raceway) (c)2009 Monticello Raceway / Roberts Communications Network LLC
Labels: 20090217, Godiva, Monticello
A Step by Step Plan to Romance Your Wife on Valentine's Day
0 comments Posted by Althauser at 4:50 PMDo you and your friends often ask each other, what you can do to make your marriage last? To make it last and to make it better, isn't all that difficult. You must want it to last and remember the Golden Rule. Do not treat or speak to your spouse in a way you would not enjoy. Next, must come the surprises. Not a card and candy on Valentine's Day, it is boring, expected and mundane. Besides, you have sent flowers many times, even to where she works; her co-workers knows that someone cares and she get "bragging rights". Women love bragging rights.
You have also left unexpected messages after a tough day. Or, just doing some chores you don't usually do, without being asked. You consistently give compliments and reassurance too, and not just when you "want something". You are known for a surprise dinner or breakfast; whether you cook it or go out. You make time just for yourselves and communicate. Flowers or a card for no reason, are given and sent. You will pick up the dry cleaning or the kids when it's not your turn. You are the type of man who will do the unexpected to remind yourself why you fell in love in the first place. You know it will only get stale if you let it.
It's Valentine's Day 2007 and you really want to 'knock her footies' off! Here's an idea. It will take some planning but you are up for it. It will make your sweetheart feel loved and appreciated for months, even years to come.
Here's a step by step plan for a Valentine's Day neither of you will ever forget!
1. Call the office and arrange to have the day off for her. Tell them she's likely to come to work for a few hours but do not mention anything to her. You are to take the day off, too. Have your calls sent to your mobile because she's going to call you for sure! 2. Arrange a sleepover for the kids that night. But more on that later. If no kids, disregard everything relating to the kids from here forward.
3. Call to have a cleaning service clean the house. Tell them to arrive promptly at 8:30AM. You'll be home while someone is there.
4. Call and hire a limousine for the day. The driver is to be her chauffeur, bodyguard and personal attendant for the day! Fax or email them the day's itinerary. Request fresh fruit, chilled San Pellegrino and sparkling cider with 8 champagne flutes be available. Order at least 4 bottles of the water and 2 of the sparkling cider.
5. Call a florist an order two-dozen red and one-dozen yellow roses. Have the red roses picked up by the limo driver.
The driver will deliver red roses to her at work when he picks her up.
The yellow ones will be delivered to you home.
And the other red roses will be picked up by the driver before getting you.
You are to go to the Jewelers (something sparkly), Victoria's Secret (sexy lingerie and a bathrobe, each wrapped separately) and her favorite boutique in the Mall (something semi-formal and sexy) at least a week before Valentine's Day and select the items of your choice for her.
Have them gift-wrapped.
Request a long stem red rose be given to her when she arrives at each store, with a love note that you have written.
They'll do this for you just ask! Remember to tip them handsomely! Your note tells her of your love and instructions not to open each gift until she receives a note to do so.
Also, buy a box of Godiva chocolate for the kids from the two of you; and for her, from the kids. If no kids, give it her from you.
Take the kids to buy Mom's card the weekend before Valentine's Day. Don't tell them about the other surprises. There's something for them, too.
6. Call a Day Spa and arrange a manicure, pedicure, cut & shampoo, massage, facial and makeover. Have a single long stem red rose given to her as she signs in at the desk. Set this up for 12:00PM. Instruct them to give her the one-hour massage first followed by lunch, which is being brought in, then the manicure and pedicure, the cut & shampoo, facial and makeover.
7. Call a Personal Chef and arrange to have dinner prepared and served at your home promptly at 6:00PM. Have him prepare her favorite entrée and dinner, dessert and bottle of wine or San Pellegrino if she doesn't drink. You will meet and interview the chef before 'the day' and be there to let him in to help you work your magic. Have the chef prepare a light lunch for her also and have it delivered to the Day Spa at 1:00PM.
Items #1 through #7 are arranged at least two weeks in advance. It's Valentine's Day and here is how it all unfolds:
05:30AM You get up half hour earlier and serve your wife breakfast in bed. This and having the kids bring their cards to her will be the only unusual thing taking place that morning. Don't forget to give her your card, too. Get everyone out on time and you return home after you are certain she has left.
08:30AM Cleaning lady arrives.
10:00AM Limo driver picks up red roses from florist.
10:30AM Limo driver picks up your sweetheart from work, taking her roses and a card. He goes inside and asks for her. He escorts her to limo and whisks her off to the beginning of a most memorable day arranged by you!
11:00AM Wife arrives at the Mall. Limo driver takes her to Geiss and Son's Jewelers where she receives a long-stem red rose, a wrapped gift and note from you expressing your love and instructions not to open gift until later.
She is escorted to Victoria's Secret and receives the same as above.
She is then escorted to Cachet's and receives the same as above.
11:30AM Wife is back in the limo and beside herself with glee! She's called you, how many times by now?
12:00PM Wife arrives at the Day Spa. She receives a long-stem red rose with a card from you. This card tells her to open the box marked, "open me now" from Victoria's Secret. She unwraps a lovely bathrobe for her luxurious afternoon at the spa. They will carry out your wishes as given to them. The pampering begins with a deep tissue massage.
01:00PM Wife is enjoying lunch at the spa in her new bathrobe. (She's in a private room. Don't be alarmed!)
01:30PM The pampering continues . . .(manicure, pedicure, cut & shampoo, facial and makeover) Meanwhile . . .
Your house has been cleaned and the cleaning lady's gone.
The yellow roses have been delivered by the florist.
Your dark suit, white shirt and burgundy tie have been ready for this day! (You're looking GQ or Brooks Brothers-like, for sure!)
The driver will pick up the red roses before picking you up from your house.
You've packed the kid's overnight duffle bags, not forgetting their school clothes for the next school day or the Godiva chocolates.
02:00PM Personal Chef arrives and begins his preparations.
03:00PM You are picked up by the driver from your home; bringing the roses, chocolates and duffle bags with you. The chef is left to help make this a magical day for your sweetheart.
03:30PM Kids are picked up from school and taken for an excursion in the limo! Give each of them the chocolate with their Valentine's Day card. Fill them in on Mom's day! Enjoy sparkling cider in champagne flutes with them. Make a toast! See the city as a tourist or let the kids show off for their friends!
04:30PM You and the kids arrive at the Day Spa. All of you go inside with roses and chocolate in hand, to get Mom. She's radiant in the jewelry and dress you selected for her! You and the kids escort Mom to the limo.
05:15PM Make another toast with the family as the kids are driven to where they will spend the night.
06:00PM You and your wife arrive to your home promptly. The driver is tipped handsomely and leaves.
You and she enter your home, candlelight and a path of rose petals make a trail to the dining room and your bedroom. (You know how to keep the home fires burning! You only wanted a suggestion for an extra special Valentine's Day 2007!) Go, you! A very romantic touch! (You had these delivered with the yellow roses to your home.)
Soft music is playing. The chef takes the roses and packages from her as you take her to the family room for a slow dance. You share a kiss.
You escort her to the dining room and is served a romantic, scrumptious candlelight dinner and dessert.
You're wondering how she looks in that sexy underwear and lingerie.
I guess it is time to dismiss the chef and me. Before I leave, I know you want to thank me for giving you a 'sweetheart' of a plan. She's the most beautiful girl in the world to you. You love her with your heart, mind, body and soul. You would be this extravagant every day but you know it is not necessary. She loves and accepts you without all the fanfare. But . . . you will have added not only to her bragging rights but to her thanks to God, yet again, for the best husband and father in the world! Keep Him and each other first and it will last. You can tell her where the idea came or not. It can be our secret. Do you wonder how you'll top this next year? Ask me, I would love to help!
Note: This plan can be adapted for a stay-at-home Mom or retired wife, any day of the year and from a wife to her husband, very easily.
Labels: Romance, Valentines