Kellee Flowers provides a complete look to your flower bouquet with helium balloons delivery . Send along cute and lovely little helium balloons in your flower basket delivery and show that you really care. They are a sure shot way to make someone feel good.

Helium Balloons are a wonderful way to make your floral presentation look complete and more beautiful. They compliment the floral arrangement and add warmth to it.

Kellee Flowers offers a variety of Helium Balloons for delivery. There are different kinds of Helium Balloons available for different occasions.

When you are conveying your heart felt wishes, these helium balloons would convey your true feelings even without your saying any thing.

It's a girl/ it's a boy… Children love balloons… and so do the new Moms and Dads. Helium Balloons are a fun way to communicate your warm wishes. Blue and Pink helium balloons look pretty with different kinds of a href="http://www.kelleeflowers.com.au">flowers on such occasions. While you can choose as in the traditional method, blue helium balloons for baby boys and pinks for baby girls, however you can also be a little creative and select those balloons which would look nice.

When you say it with love, it shows. Now you can delight the love of your life with beautiful flowers nicely wrapped up with cute heart shaped red helium balloons with a message of Love to your beloved on his/ her birthday, your anniversary, Valentine's Day of without any reason at all.

When it's some one's birthday, and you are far from the person, and it's your presence what really matters, what can be the best alternative to represent you and convey your true heartfelt wishes? That's right – flowers. And you can make up for your absence by gifting the flower in an attractive way. Kellee Flowers would deliver the bouquet you want to send anywhere in Australia at the right time and the right place. Pick your favorite Happy Birthday helium balloons from our website and just order. We will wrap the flowers and the balloons in neat package and along with chocolates/ wine/ champagne/ or cute little teddy bears (whatever you choose to include).

Other varieties in our Helium Balloon Delivery service include Congratulations balloon, Good Luck balloons and Smiley face balloons. The best part is in each hamper delivery, any 18" helium balloon would cost you about A$15.00 only.

So now you can show your care by being a little thoughtful and adding a cute little helium balloons with your flower basket delivery. Visit our site to book your order now.

John is a well known author who writes for

Looking for the right gift for her?

Well let me try and take the stress out of it for you! We all know that women can be complicated beings, so I've split them into a few major categories to help you whittle down some gift ideas. Don't forget though, women can be rather sneaky too, and often cross-categorise so bear that in mind whilst browsing!

The Pamper Princess – Spa bubble baths and manicures are what this lady is all about! Weekends are spent pampering herself with the latest ranges of beauty must haves. If you're well and truly stuck, you can take a safe bet with pamper products, after all, there's a little bit of an indulgent side in every girl! I think she'd love some indulgent bath time goodies, such as sea salt scrub, bath milk, or what about some beautiful scented candles to set the mood?

Little miss giggles – We all love to laugh, but especially this one! Be it huge practical pranks or witty one liners, this lady loves to laugh and make others laugh too! Why not indulge her funny sense of humour with some hilarious racing nuns or what about some truly chuckle-worthy racing granddads?

The Career Woman – This woman has a jam packed schedule all week long, and anything to help her keep organised and ready to face the world will be much appreciated. I think she'd love a pocket organiser to make sure she's always on time! Or for an alternative what about a mini Sudoku game to entertain her on the commute to work?

The Sporty Chick –Tennis, football, netball, you name it, they love it. Oh, and gym is their second home. Yep, they're into their sport big time. So why not treat her to a pool set, or how about a nifty fishing pack?

The Queen of Sparkles – Whether it's in your face 'bling' or a more understated pearl ear-ring, they love their jewellery. And there's a huge variety of sparkly gifts to suit all of their sparkly demand available! Why not charm her with a charm bracelet, or dazzle her with some glitzy diamond ear-rings?

The Gadget Girl – The latest gadgets and gizmos are high on their wish list, and fortunately and there is an abundance of well stocked places for you to find an array of gadgets! What about a telescopic back scratchers that extends to the offending itch! Or what about a 'Tell me what to do spinner', spin it and it gives you the answer!

I hope I've helped in your selection of your gift, and maybe even made you smile! And of course don't forget, for the perfect complimentary gift; why not send some chocolate (I highly recommend anything that mentions the word 'double chocolate'!)– The way to every girl's heart!

Written by Adam Driver, proprietor of Gifts2TheDoor and online gift shopping web site with a specialist section on Gifts For Her based in Australia.

Taking care of those you love is a wonderful way to say, "I love you." And how better to take care than to treat her (or him) to a day of rejuvenation. A Valentine gift certificate to a spa will give her a chance to relax, unwind, set her worries aside, refuel and reconnect the body, mind and spirit.

The spa experience is no longer just for the rich and famous of Hollywood and Monaco. Spas are becoming fashionable for more contemporary services, such as holistic health and spiritual connecting, as well as the more traditional services of beauty, massage therapy and plain old pampering. A spa gift can include a wide array of anti-stress services, depending on your budget and your pleasure. A simple facial and manicure may be all she needs to set her back on the path of calmness as the winter season comes to an end. Or maybe things are more hectic and she needs a full aromatherapy massage, too! Interestingly enough a trip to the spa is not just for women. In Roman times men made regular visits to the mineral baths. More men are booking in for the spa experience. A greater awareness and interest in skincare and grooming and healthier living is luring men to take the plunge and rest, distress, relax and enjoy a spa experience.

Before booking a spa appointment make sure the spa offers what you are looking for in terms of treatment. Most spas offer treatment packages to suit a variety of costumer budgets and can last from a few hours, to all day or longer if a weekend or a weeklong break is needed.

So many of us don't take the time to relax and enjoy winter. The gift of a spa visit is just the way to encourage him or her to take care of themselves and savor the moment.

Still looking for that perfect gift idea? Then click on this link for a great gift certificate idea.

February has long been known as the month of romance, and throughout our country loved ones often exchange cards, gifts, candy and flowers as a means of expressing their love.

February 14th however, when we celebrate the holiday known as Valentine's Day, is when most of these gifts and expressions of our love are exchanged. But how did this mysterious tradition begin?

The holiday is both a Christian and ancient Roman tradition that is indeed very mysterious. The original Valentine's day can be traced back to the Catholic Church which began a feast day, said to be in honor of its patron saint named Valentinus or Valentine.

But how St. Valentine became associated with this lovers holiday has long been a matter of debate, and there are many legendary stories explaining the connection.

One of the most popular stories takes place during the third century in Rome. The ruling Emperor Claudius II had decided single men made better soldiers, and outlawed marriage so he could build a better crop of soldiers. A young priest by the name of Valentine defied the decree, and continued to marry young lovers in secret, and when Claudius discovered this he ordered that Valentine be put to death.

Legend does credit Valentine with actually sending the first valentine. The story claims he had fallen in love with a young women, who had been visiting him while he was in prison. It is alleged that he sent her a letter which he signed "From Your Valentine".

Another story suggests that while attempting to help Christians escape from the deplorable Roman prisons, where they were often tortured and beaten, he was killed.

We will never know the full truth about the Valentine legends, although there is no doubt about his heroic and romantic appeal.

Valentine was definitely one of the most popular saints in England and France during the middle ages.

It wasn't until the 19th century when British settlers arrived that Valentine's Day was was introduced to North America. Today, according to (Hallmark Research) 192 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually. This is in addition to the millions of flowers, boxes of candy and assorted gifts exchanged by lovers on this day. The day has come to be associated with the greeting "Happy Valentine's Day"

Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th every year. It gives you the opportunity to show a friend or lover, how much you care, by giving them a gift of love and sharing this lovely tradition with them.

Ken Asselin is webmaster for the "Buds Best" series of

shopping websites. His 40 plus years experience in retail marketing,

bring a fresh outlook to website development and promotion. You can

visit his Flowers and Unique Gifts Site at:: Online Flower Delivery

The tradition of Valentines Day with its Hallmark fueled frenzy has taken on a life of its own. Studies show that many people, especially men hate Valentine's Day. This is particularly true of men who feel like they can't get a handle on what is expected of them during this time. Traditions that play out mechanically add stress, guilt and depression to relationships trying to find balance. This can sometimes make us feel isolated from the masses. Let's be honest. Admitting that you hate Valentine's Day is like saying you hate puppies and warm fuzzy kittens.

I remember one Valentine's Day a colleague of mine came into my office in a huff. He snickered, flailing his arms in an expansive gesture of frustration. His eyeballs rolled back in his head as he groaned, "do you know I counted 42 pieces of red clothing on women today?" You know the typical, red blouses, little earrings that are worn to celebrate the day. He was clearly exasperated by the whole thing. "Why do women do this kind of thing anyway?"

I grinned as he flopped into a chair. "What's the real problem Dennis?" "I don't get it," he said, "You know I can't win with what I get her. She says she doesn't want anything, but you know if I don't get something I will never hear the end of it. And the worst is I have to get something bigger and better every year, its hopeless!"

I didn't think it was the best time to tell him that for some women it is probably one of the few times in a year that they can count on some kind of validation. A time when someone openly tells them that they are special, loved and cherished. Some women and men need to hear the words and see it on paper, some don't. This difference depends on expectations.

Expectation for Valentines is usually based in childhood celebrations, and the meaning that was placed on the day. This is driven home daily by media messages "to show her you care, give her a …fill in the blank." We know that Valentines Day can add to our loneliness and depression if we are not in a relationship, because it reminds us that we are alone in the world. There is no mirror image, no one to validate who we are, make us feel special.

On the other hand, when we are in a relationship there are all of these things we need to do to nurture each other. As my coworker above stated, it feels like a no win situation. As the relationship evolves, building little traditions of our own, we find less need to be validated in this way. But, it is only when we see ourselves as special that we stop looking to other people to show us our core beauty. The love we want is really inside, in our core self, and not external to us.

Feeling that someone should buy candy, roses or other romantic gifts is far from romantic for the buyer or the receiver. Even so, buying some routine gift that means little to the sender or recipient is meaningless, unless it is part of a belief system that was nurtured from childhood. So, make that a part of your discussions as you get to know each other. If you can't see yourself doing it, then you better get that straight up front.

People often feel guilty and stressed when they don't live up to another's idealized romantic expectations. Planning romantic moments together can be fun, energizing and cement the relationship. That said, it is only fun if you share the idealized expectation. This doesn't have to be expensive trips, and it can be finding creative ways to get away from the kids for a few hours. There are many ways to show love that costs nothing. Love notes placed in a clean shirt, unexpected phone calls to each other to say you were thinking of each other, the list is endless.

What helps is to find out where the guilt is coming from and discuss this honestly with your loved one. If you don't like doing Valentines, but it is important to the other person, ask yourself what it would take to make it happen. Could you live with this? Could you find another way to show you care? If someone needs more than you can give, then find out why they need it and what keeps you from giving it. This in and of itself will deepen the relationship.

So, what makes people feel loved? A better question might be, "How have we learned to feel loved?" This is different for everyone. Some people need gifts, while others would rather have your time, eye contact and to really be seen or have their efforts recognized. Some people need to have things done for them and that makes them feel loved. From a gender standpoint, men tend to experience love through sex, while women experience it through physical closeness and communication.

There are many other ways we feel loved, but in the long run it is someone taking the time to know what makes us tick. This makes us feel recognized and validated. As you get clarity on needs and wants assume nothing, talk to each other about what is wanted and needed.

• Get straight what you both need to "feel" the energy and passion of the relationship.

• Find your beauty and sense of worth within you, no one can see it if you can't.

• Find meaningful and creative ways to express your love that is shaped by both of your expectations and needs. Make a game of it; exploring these ideas can be fun.

• Gratitude helps, what does your partner give to the relationship that keeps you around? Let him or her know that these things are important to you.

• Talk to each other! The Valentine Tradition may not be all that important to either of you. If it is, could it be expressed in a way that is agreeable to both? Share your thoughts, wants and needs. What can you live with?

Besides all of this, feigned sugary sweetness is the opposite of true love. From the perspective of the relationship, love is a life time of give and take. Love always stands alone. Love needs nothing in the eye of the beholder. When we are loved deeply, we can feel love's power radiating back and forth, from the heart. Like an ancient dance moving in rhythm to the beat of our soul.

Shirley Ryan is the founder and president of Working Together ( ), a business specializing in helping people manage life's changes in mind, body, and spirit. Ryan has worked as a professional life coach since 1994. She is the author of Searching for the Waters of Antiquity: A Follow-Along Meditation Process (Soul Moments Publishing, $24.95 available in stores, Amazon or at this website: ), a meditation tool with a unique integration of symbol and archetypes demonstrated her painting and meditation skills.

Various flowers come with various meanings and by knowing what each is you can send your loved one the right flowers for the right occasion. To some people this may seem like a trival piece of information to know but after sending someone flowers you will normally recieve a thankyou phone call to which you can add the meaning of the flowers showing an extra meaning and thoughtfullness to your gift.

Carnations remain one of the most popular flowers in the world as well as being one of the oldest varieties. Carnations are a symbol of love and fascination, they are a perfect gift for a loved one for any occassion. Carnations are available in a wide variety of colours.

Gerbera's are an extremely popular flower variety through florists, due to their large long and bright petals. They represent beauty and innocence and can be found in a large variety of extremly beautiful colours.

Tulips have a very distinct look about them, thus their meaining of grace and elegance and love. Another popular choice for a loved one.

Roses are without a doubt the most recognisable and popular flower. With each colour of the rose having a different meaning.Red are for love and romance, the perfect rose to give to a lover. Pink is for appreciation and admiration and as a slightly more subtle alternative to the red. Yellow symbolise friendship and joy, white is for honour and for remembrance. Orange for desire and enthusiasm.

copyright 2008

Finding the right gifts for a particular occasion is always a challenging task. Sometimes it is nice to make a gift for someone, this gives the gift an air of uniqueness and personality and shows the recipient that you took the time to create a truly special gift. This method can also backfire however as it is easy to get in over your head and not be able to complete the gift project on time or in the fashion you wanted to. In other words it is easy to mess up the creation of a gift and be left empty handed or worse yet with a gift you don't feel good about giving.

On the other hand, many people like to give and receive pre-made gifts for their convenience and so that they know they are getting something that will have at least some value to the recipient. This works especially well if you know just what the person wants as a gift. If you are not sure about what the person you are giving to wants then you have to make you best guess. In this case be sure to look at their tastes and not let your own preferences interfere with your decision. This is also a perfect opportunity to combine the best of both handmade gifts and manufactured gifts by using a professional gift company. These companies specialize in gifts that are both personalized and meaningful as well as professionally produced and of top quality.

Baby gifts are one of the most common types of gifts to give, where you need to find something cute and adorable yet practical. Luckily for you when it comes to babies play time is considered a practical use. This is a gifting area that will certainly benefit from the added value of a personalized gift. Adding the name of the special little one and/or an appropriate theme to the gift will make it significantly more special. Look for a company who will make a hand painted piece of children's furniture for you or create a themed baby gift basket.

Anniversary gifts are another common gift category that often keeps the giver guessing when it comes to knowing what the recipient or recipient couple would like to get. This is another place where professionally personalized gifts can be a great choice. Personalized anniversary gifts have the feeling of something special and they allow the gift giver to participate in the gift creation process. In the end you have an exceptional gift that both warms the heart and is easy and fast to get.

Finally, perhaps the most difficult and important of all gifts, Valentines Day gifts are almost always better when personalized. More than any other gifting occasion, Valentines Day requires a high level of gift intimacy. This doesn't mean it needs to be a risqué gift, only that the recipient expects that you have given the gift much thought. It will almost always significantly increase the emotional value of a gift if it is personalized to match the recipient. Additionally, the giver should be able to articulate why the gift was chosen, making the gift that much more special. And, if you can, you should send this message on the gift itself, making the personalized Valentines Day gift one to treasure.

In the end most gifts will benefit from the personalized touch a professional gift provider can create for you. These are just three common examples of how a personalized gift can meet the challenges of a specific gift-giving occasion. For only a nominal increase in cost you can achieve a significant increase in the meaning that the gift can convey.

Anne Harvester is a gift giver extraordinaire traveling the world looking for the best gifts for every occasion. This article was produced in conjunction with GiftBasketsP where you can findValentines Day Gifts, Gift Baskets, Unique Baby Gifts and more.

Why every day should be Valentine's Day! Because it is love that makes the world go round not money! You are here today because of love and not money! Think for a moment, take away love and you will find the world will be an empty shell lacking meaning and passion! The world has suffered great destruction because of power, ignorance and greed, and the antidote is love and wisdom!

What love means to you? Love means different things to different people but there are a lot of things about love that people can agree.

I've written a love poem over 20 years ago and I will like to share with everyone on this Valentine's Day, please feel free to share it with your loved ones and friends. I have composed it into a song, anyone out there who is a musician and want to partner with me to promote this song? It could hit the charts and inspire millions of people!

LOVE

Love is happiness in being together. Love is wanting to share. Love is accepting each other. Love is thinking of you no matter where.

Loving is giving and receiving. Loving is trusting and believing. Loving is forgiving and rewarding. Loving is feeling and caring.

Love countless ways like millions of pebbles on the shore. Love is beautiful like stars in the skies. Love is all these to me and more. Love you can see in my eyes.

Hope you enjoy this poem and share it with your loved ones and take time to express your love and say those three important words: "I love you"

When was the last time you told your loved ones, "I love you" and when was the last time you gave them a good loving hug? We tend to love too little and too late, the time to love is now!

I've travelled a lot and I realised that people are basically the same, they all want happiness and they all want to be loved! There are many ways you can show your love, a kind word, a warm smile and a helping hand.

We should also learn how to live in peace and love our fellowmen. Wars are shameful failures of leaders who are not able to lead their people to peaceful settlements and hundreds of billions of dollars are wasted on bombs and weapons when these billions of dollars could be used to help to feed the hungry and poor, and save innocent children from the horrors of child labour and child prostitution!

Where's the love? How can we let innocent children die of hunger and being abused and suffering the horrors of child prostitution! Are the world leaders blind? If we can spend hundreds of billions of dollars on wars why can't we spare a few billions of dollars to stop such atrocities and horrific suffering of innocent children?

Can we show our love by doing a bit for these children? Key in "child prostitution" and you will find lots of websites of organisations who are doing something about it even though some world leaders are acting blind or playing dumb about it! Can the billionaires show their love too by helping these children? We all can help in our own little ways because I believe the power of love will see us through!

Soldiers are precious to their grandfathers, grandmothers, mothers, fathers, wives, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends - just imagine the trauma, suffering and sadness wars have caused to millions of people!

The haunting song, "Where have all the flower gone" and this song is probably written for the world leaders, "Where have all the soldiers gone? Long time passing, Where have all the soldiers gone? Long time ago, Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards everyone, O, when will they ever learn, O, when will they ever learn?"

We should also extend our love to the animals, plants and the earth. I've written a song in 1999 for the millennium and the title of the song is "It's Time We Build and Care"

When will we learn that life is precious. And this earth is all we have. And the killings we must stop soon. It's time we build and care.

Chorus: Mother Nature is giving her warnings. And she hopes we understand. Before it's too late to stop the dying. Of this earth we all share.

The air and water is getting bad. The bombs and pollution is making it worse. There is too much destruction and suffering. It's time we build and care.

Every day should be Valentine's Day and we must express our love daily in many ways because what the world needs now is love sweet love!

Give the gift of a good night's sleep this Valentine's Day.

Here's a really great about how to make sure that both you and your partner get a good night's sleep. Dan and I have had many late night 'conversations' on our differing views about how the bed should be made, how many blankets to put on the bed, how the sheets should be tucked in, when the bed should be made - on and on...

As a couple, this has been one of the very few sore points in our relationship. You see, I like to be warm and cozy with little regard to sheet alignment, while Dan requires very little cover and perfectly aligned sheets and blankets before he gets into bed. Considering that I normally go to bed before him, his aligning the sheets at 1am has caused many a late night squabble.

We've actually implemented several of the suggestions in this article and they've made a huge difference for us. The great tips in this article are sure to improve your relationship and help you both get a better night's sleep - together!

Revive Your Bedroom Just in Time for Valentine's Day

From Tango Magazine

Bunking together is all fun and games—until somebody steals the covers. Contributing editors Lauren and Anne Purcell tell you how to negotiate common bedroom quandaries, and wake up happy.

Scientific studies abound on how many hours we Americans spend in bed sleeping, having sex, or lying awake wondering when we'll get to sleep or have sex. The level of scrutiny is somewhat mystifying, given the fairly obvious findings. (In round figures: not enough, not nearly enough, and is it any wonder Ambien sales have skyrocketed?)

Bottom line: on average, we're between the sheets for more than a third of our lives. Any place you spend that much time should make you happy, and never more so than when it's 60 by 80 inches and there are two of you. Your bed should be supremely, beckoningly comfortable, so you can rest; and as co-habitable and conflict free as possible, to help you nest.

Sheet smarts

In the last couple of years, thread counts­ - the number of threads in one square inch of fabric­ have crept into the four digits. But do higher numbers indicate softer sheets?

Only to a point...

After about 500, what you're paying for are the salaries of those tricky folks in the marketing department who realized they could describe a 500-thread-count sheet as a 1,000­ if it's woven with two-ply thread. The truth is that you're likely to find 300- or 400- count sheets plenty luxurious (and easier on the checkbook). Guests staying in the presidential suite at the Four Seasons in New York City, one of the priciest hotel rooms in the country, pay $15,000 a night and they're resting their weary, wealthy bodies on 220-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Egyptian is the key here - ­that variety is acknowledged to have the longest fiber, another contributor to softness. Once you've selected sheets, of course, you have to share them.

And there, the troubles too often begin.

One couple we know disagrees on how to tuck in the top sheet. He likes to anchor a generous swath so his feet don't poke out. She likes enough covers to form a turtleneck at the top. The solution is simple, though it took them a while to figure it out: they tuck in the sheet at an angle.

A more common cause for conflict among couples is the side-to-side shortage, caused by a sleeper who rolls over… and over and over. On a queen bed, a king-size top sheet can ease the tussle. For hardcore cases, we suggest two top sheets overlapped in the middle. At bedtime, the illusion is that you're cozily covered by the same sheet. Later, the roller winds up in his, or her, own little burrito without uncovering his bedmate.

Dan and Jennifer: This one is a non-issue for us - we both love soft! Egyptian cotton is definitely the way to go and we recommend 600-800 thread count sheets. Macy's Hotel collection is awesome if there's a Macy's in your area.

Topper tips

In the bed-as-battleground department, second to sheet spats are temperature tantrums.

One partner prefers to set the A/C on "cryogenic" while the other lies shivering in flannel pajamas ­in August. Clearly, this is grounds for a blanket intervention. The most heated arguments we've heard between partners with a body-temp differential are caused by down duvets, which have taken bedrooms by storm.

Unfortunately, no matter how "summer weight" a duvet claims to be, it always seems to make someone sweat. And try throwing off a duvet when you feel a little steamy. It becomes a fabric-and feathers snow bank threatening to avalanche. So we're fans of the sheet-and-blanket combo. The enormous variety of fabrics and weights lets you fine-tune your comfort level: cotton for summer, wool for warmth and pleasing heft in winter.

The point is to layer independently: cover the entire bed with a lightweight cotton blanket, then on your side, add a cashmere throw. (Electric blankets are a retro, but remarkably effective alternative. Equipped with dual remotes­ and no wires­ you each control the temp on your half of the bed.)

Dan and Jennifer: Dan has a light weight down blanket on his side and I have an added quilt, folded in half on my side of the bed - that way we are both comfy and cozy.

Mattress matters

But even the finest bedding can't make up for a bed with bad ergonomics.

Unfortunately, buying a mattress (you need a new one about every ten years) can be as confusing as selecting a cellular plan.

What you're looking for is a mattress that conforms to your spine's natural curves. It should be neither so firm that your body touches down only at three or four points, nor so soft that you sink into it like marshmallow cream. That can be tough to determine in a quick test-drive at the mattress shop.

One hint: you can change positions up to 40 times while you sleep, so shift, turn, and try out multiple arrangements of limbs. Still, the best way to avoid mattress remorse is to sleep on the one you're considering ­preferably for several nights in a row.

That may explain the growing popularity of hotel mattress-purchase programs, which have cropped up in hotels from the Ritz-Carlton to La Quinta. You slept soundly every night of a weeklong trip? Bring the bliss home by buying the identical mattress. If that's impractical, you should find a dealer with an exchange policy that gives you a week or more with a mattress before you commit (many do).

An easier question to answer than "how firm?" is "how big?" If you're often joined in bed by kids, dogs, and his-and-her laptops, then a king-size bed (76 inches wide) might be right for you. But we're fans of the 60-inch wide queen, because it better fosters a "couple connection".

Yes, each of you sacrifices eight inches of elbow room, but that means you're always within snuggling distance. Remember, we're talking a third of your lives. You shouldn't be at each other's throats. You should be in each other's arms.

Dan and Jennifer: Dan gets way too hot to snuggle in bed.  We make up for it with lots of hugs and kisses during the day, but at night, we keep our distance and stay on our own sides of a great big King Size mattress.

Our bed, which we think is the single most comfortable bed in existence, is a Stearns and Foster, no flip mattress (one of those really thick mattresses that you see in luxury hotels). The mattress is so comfortable that it makes you want to stay in bed all day!)

Get more advice from contributing editors Lauren and Anne Purcell at

Good Night… and Good Luck!

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So you met a delicious looking man. And then he whipped out his uniform and you liked him even more. But now he's being deployed and whilst you knew what you signed up for… it's still not good.

There are thousands of women going through the same thing and there is lots of helpful advice around for those dealing with deployment. For British ladies, the British Army has a Welfare and Support system that gives lots of practical advice and support. And in the US, the US Community and Family Support centre offers the same. But you might be thinking a bit more emotionally. What do you do when you get really lonely and you just want a cuddle?

Lots of things. Keep busy and distract yourself. There is always work to take your mind off things or take college courses, use your friends and start hanging out with them more, go out and do things you might not think to do like museums or comedy clubs or dance classes, start exercising,

"It goes faster when I'm thinking, 'I only have three more months to get a body like Britney Spears (ha, ha)!'" –kelnelmo.

But do make sure you do indulge in thinking about him too, in the right way. Don't get sucked into oh- god- I- miss- him- so- much- I'm- going- to- sit- here- and- fester- all- alone thoughts. Write letters or emails often, to keep him up on all the news so he won't feel out of the loop. You could even get creative and send him a personalised romance novel giving him a bit of saucy reading each night!

But, remember, he's going to be missing you too, so search for gifts for deployed forces and get him something special.

Create a Virtual Home, with modern technology many soldiers have access to the Internet. There are numerous sites (like myfamily.com) where you can create your own homepage and post important information, events and photos so he's not feeling left out and abandoned.

And definitely think ahead about you as a couple. Many couples get scared that after a long time apart the relationship won't be the same, it will fall apart but it doesn't have to happen like that. Send him lots of gorgeous pictures of yourself and keep sending more. Make him a little album of photos that are special to him; you, you and him together, holidays you had together, nights out, parties. Or even better, get him a personalised erotic romance novel. U Star Novels will send to BFPO, FPO and APO addresses. He might laugh and scoff but once he's alone in his bunk, looking at your photos he'll turn to his personalised erotic romance book. And he'll love it. A book completely about you and him romancing it up and getting down to some naughty action…It can help keep the love and spark in your relationship alive. And you could get one for yourself too.

Whatever happens know that you are not alone. Even though you didn't want him to be deployed, there is a lot of help out there for you and lots of people going through the same thing. And there are always friends to help you out. And what is it they say…Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Katie Olver from UStar Novels U Star Novels offers the UK's first adventure romance novels with a twist...You are the star. Ranging in sauciness, we'll entwine you and your lover into an authentic romance novel featuring you on every page.

Can a day that is supposed to make world go wild with passion, pain a person? That sounds surprising, Isn't it? How can Valentine's Day give pain? Yes. It can. And the pain can be many times more than the pleasure anyone can get on this day.

For a lover, who lived for the beloved, who breathed the air thinking of the beloved, who did everything in life thinking of the beloved and who shared all with the beloved, this day is nothing but a very sharp and unbearable pain if the beloved is lost. Imagine the pain of the parents on the birthday of their lost child. The same day, that used to give them only pleasure, gives nothing but so much pain that they cannot bear that. They will cry till no tear is left. Pain is bad. Pain is very bad.

Real pain that one gets for a lifetime does not heal over a lifetime. Many people say that time is a great healer. Ask one who is dying every minute if this is true? This is not true for those who are drowned in pain forever. Valentine's Day brings back the memories of the lost love like a flood. Call it a tsunami of pain. The waves engulf everything and take away the will of living forever. Such a lover looks not at the Rose, but surely feels the pricking of thorns. The memories of time that they shared, of the walks together, of fun, of travel, of small escapades and love, everything that made a life worth living makes the same life a hell from which there is no escape.

Life is good for the lucky ones. Those who are gifted pain find life unbearable. The feeling of emptiness of heart cannot ever be explained. One has to live this pain to know about it. The pain is a gift from the beloved who goes away, leaving a body with a beating heart, and fills every beat with a sharp pang of pain. You will find different options of buying and sending gifts to your beloved. You will never be able to buy this gift of pain. For gifting this pain, you will have to first share great time with your beloved, enslave them in your love and then throw them away from your life. After that they will live with this gift of pain forever and much more so on the Valentine's Day.

The author, C.D.Mohatta writes on inspiration, management, romance, holidays etc. His writings can be found in

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Expressing our feelings in effective ways is a hard task, and it’s something we deal with all the time. Babies express hunger, tiredness and other needs through crying, and it’s up to mom or dad to decipher the source of their conflict. Children are a little more advanced, they can talk. But their feelings are more advanced than a baby’s too, and they don’t always understand them. They have to learn to understand their feelings before they can even begin to express them effectively.

Teenagers are a little more practiced in both of these areas, but they are beginning to deal with the added complication of the reactions of others. They want to express their feelings without disrupting another’s. Adults deal with this too, and though they’ve had a lot of practice, they still struggle with it. Sometimes the reactions of others confuse our ability to express ourselves, no matter how well we’ve prepared.

Whatever stage of life you’re in, expression is an important part of it, and finding effective strategies can make life more meaningful and less painful.

A truly eloquent way of expression is through flowers. They say more than words, and they don’t get mixed up in the delivery. Here is a brief outline of the language of roses.

Red

A red rose says I love you. A dozen red roses say it even more. Anniversaries and other special moments in a romantic relationship are appropriate opportunities to express your affection through a red rose.

Orange

Orange roses say passion, enthusiasm or fascination.

Yellow

A yellow rose has mixed feelings. It can mean platonic love, dying love, or, if you’re from a German-speaking country, it can mean jealousy and infidelity.

Purple

Purple roses mean protection, such as paternal or maternal love.

Pink

A pink rose indicates grace, lesser feelings of love or, for a dark pink rose, gratitude.

White

White is the color of innocence and purity, and can be used to denote these attributes when presented as a rose. White roses can also mean secrecy, friendship, reverence and humility.

Roses can be used separately or in combinations of two or more colors to mean even more. They have their own language, and it can simplify communication. What’s more, giving a rose will nearly always ensure good feelings just because roses are beautiful—even if the receiver doesn’t know the language of the rose.

Emily Lyon is a client account specialist at 10x Marketing. Visit Speaking Roses today to become a more effective communicator.

Do you want to just meet your partner's expectations on Valentine's Day, or do you want to make this a Valentine's Day they will never forget?  Let's start by defining 'romance'. This may sound easy, but just ask a few different people and you'll get as many answers as the number of people you ask. Is it something to do with love? Is it togetherness and spending time together? From my perspective, romance is a celebration of the life you live together. Romance is not responsibility but it is truly caring about your responsibilities towards your lover and partner. Romance is the appreciation of two people who are celebrating the love that they share with one another. How do you make this an incredibly romantic Valentines Day? Here are 5 tips to make your Valentine's Day sizzle.

Don't Buy a card. Anyone can buy a card... Why not be a little more creative and write your valentine a love letter poem.  If you're not a poet, a quick search on Google should get what you need. Take this opportunity to tell your valentine why you love them, what you find most attractive about them, and how much you appreciate your relationship.

Know what they like. Don't just go out and buy the standard flowers and chocolate. That's the lazy way out... Get your Valentine a gift that will actually mean something to them on a personal level. What do they like to do? What kind of music do they like? What are they passionate about?  

Rather that a gift, go on a special date. Again, think about something your Valentine truly enjoys, dancing, dining out, or snuggling on the sofa to watch a great movie - a movie that your valentine wants to see.

Everyone loves a little suspense. Start building up to Valentine's Day a little in advance. Hint about your plans or gift without giving too much away. This will let your valentine know that you're thinking about them and that you're really excited about this special day. 

Think 'romance'. Romance includes the words you say, your body language, and your surroundings. Make sure that your attention is 100% on your valentine, not the day's events or latest sports scores. Get some candles, turn down the lights, and play some romantic music to create a truly romantic atmosphere.

Not coming up with any great ideas? Here are some Romantic ideas to get you started.

Breakfast in bed.

Make your Valentine's favorite meal or take your valentine out for a special dinner.

Send your Valentine (male or female) flowers at work. If you are on a tight budget, give just one single hand-delivered flower. Remember, it's the thought not the quantity.

Do something unexpected! Drive across town to take your Valentine out for lunch.

Send a gift basket of indulgent items.

Embroider "I Love You" on his pillowcase. You could also use a water resistant marker.

Poetry is traditional for Valentine's Day. Make up your own or buy a book of love poems that you can read together.

Dedicate a favorite song to your Valentine on a radio show that he or she will be listening to.

Write "I Love You" in lipstick or shaving cream on the mirror. You could also tape a heart with the words "I Love You" if you prefer an easier cleans up.

If your sweetheart is going to be away from you on Valentine's Day, get several Valentine's Day cards and put them in different places in his or her luggage. You could sequence them with "Open Me on February 14th" or "Open Me on February 15th" to create some suspense. Don't limit this idea to just Valentine's Day!

Wait. Get more great articles like this one at www.AskDanAndJ . Get answers to your most pressing questions about Dating, Relationships, and Sex.

Subscribe to AskDanAndJ today! Get the latest on dating, relationship, and sex.

Check out these great tips from UK Cosmopolitan magazine for getting sexy volume and big-time glamour!

How You Get It

For thick hair like Thandie Newton's, stylist Paul Merritt prepares it first with a smoothing styling cream. Try Joico K-Pak Smoothing Balm. Afterwards,give your hair a quick blast with a dryer, using a paddle brush. "Avoid the temptation to dry hair upside down. For an extra kick, grip the ends of your hair with a flat iron and curl about halfway up the lengths," advises Merritt.

If your hair is fine like Mischa Barton's, use a volumizing shampoo and leave-in conditioner to help plump up locks. Loreal Professional Textureline Volume Shampoo and Magnifier is an excellent combination. Then work an extra-volume mousse (like Kenra Volume Mousse) through damp hair and blow-dry upside down. Use your fingers to detangle, allowing air to get to the roots. When hair is 95% dry, style it in sections using a medium-sized round brushand a nozzled dryer. Roll the brush to a vertical position at the end of each length to create a soft wave.

Extra Tip: "If your style starts to lag, loosely pin your hair into a bun with a couple of grips. Leave for about 30 minutes, then release to reveal revived volume and wave, along with added sex appeal," suggests Merritt

When my son who was on vacation from college telephoned me long distance and said he would like to visit me to get some help to accompany him to select and purchase a Tag Heuer Sports Watch, I was not at all surprised. After all, Tag Heuer Sport Watches are well known for their quality and value.

So three days later, we headed off to the Watta Time Watch Shop and was greeted by the Sales Supervisor.

The first thing you should know in buying a Tag Heuer sports watch is that Tag Heuer watches come in different ranges. The brand Tag Heuer is synonymous with sports, and there were three ranges that were introduced to us. The first range was the Formula 1 sports range which did not appeal to us as they were far too rugged and looked really roughly made, then Year 2000 series which was being phased out and the new Aquaracer series.

The Aquaracer series appealed to us most. This range refers to the Tag Heuer sports watches designed primarily to withstand aqua activities and sports, and the watches would be able to withstand a good depth of water pressure. It was too bad, the Sales Supervisor did not felt it of any purpose to tell us exactly the technical details or how deep it can go under the water or what water pressure it can withstand, so we are none the wiser.

The second thing to know in buying the Tag Heuer watch is that of the color of the watch face. The watch face can be a dark face of black or dark blue or a white face. Normally a dark face watch would look really smart on my son's wrist, but this time around the dark face watch that was tried out on my son's wrist did not look any smarter or nicer at all. Even the Sales Supervisor agreed that when the watch was viewed independently as a standalone on the counter, it looked very smart but not on my son's wrist. Once again, she failed to offer a reason why, but we can surmised that most probably the design of the watch itself is very much the reason.

The third thing to know in buying a Tag Heuer watch is that of the thickness of the watch. A thicker Tag Heuer watch would cost at least a thousand ringgit (malaysian dollars) more, and there was no reason why someone would want to buy a thicker and a heavier watch, and the Sales Supervisor once again did not take the trouble to explain why. But on further investigation, we found the thickness was due to the fact that the watch was an automatic self winding feature without needing a battery.

The fourth thing to know in buying a Tag Heuer watch is that of incremental value. To get an indication of the rate of gain in annual value, I checked out with a sportswoman who was the most avid tennis player I have ever known. She had purchased a Tag Heuer sports watch some 10 years ago at $2,500 ringgit during a closing down sale from a specialty watch shop. The same series was selling now at $3,500 making an annual increment of $100 per year. So if you are seeking to invest in a Tag Heuer watch with a view for capital gain, you can expect a similar rate of gain in value. If you are looking at better incremental value, you may need to consider other brands.

The final thing to know about buying a Tag Heuer watch is that of warranty. The Sales Supervisor told us that all Tag Heuer watches are guaranteed for a 2 year period. However on checking the manual, it was found that this only applies to watches purchased within the United States of America. The fine print on the warranty card showed a period of just one year for Tag Heuer watches purchased elsewhere.

There are also shops that accept trade in for your current model and an upgrade to a newer and more costlier model. So when you are buying a Tag Heuer watch from such an outlet, make sure you are buying a really new Tag Heuer watch and not getting a refurbished or reconditioned Tag Heuer watch at new prices! By the way, there are unadvertised discounts as well during certain periods of the year.

Consider all these factors when you are buying your Tag Heuer watch and you will find the most suitable and smart looking Tag Heuer watch. You can then enjoy years of good service from your Tag Heuer watch and be able to see it increase in value as the years go by.

It will also make a good watch if you are buying one for your loved one, especially for those memorable occasions such as Valentine day or birthdays, and can even have a Tag Heuer watch that is paired for a He and a She. Tag Heuer watches can put a dash of romance as well for love-birds!

Peter Lim is a Certified Financial Planner and online entrepreneur. To get more free information on all brands of watches including special offers, visit his website

You may kiss your sweetheart everyday several times at your home but Valentine's day comes only once in a year. Valentine's day dates are invaluable to tell your beloved how much you actually love him or her. As the date is special, the venue has to be unforgettable too. The ambiance, the surroundings have to be extremely romantic and suitable with the positive energies as per your Valentine's temperament. So gift your Valentine the ideal date at an awesomely beautiful venue.

Do you know where Romeo and Juliet dated first? It was a ballroom during a ballet when their eyes met to each other for the first time. Adam and Eve first dated in the pure, sovereign and natural greenery of the garden of Eden. Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonio both dated Cleopatra during political upheaval at the castle of Cleopatra in Egypt. There are various other dating venues where our heroes and heroins dated first. Searching through the pages about St. Valentine some painfully romantic dating stories come in front. When we hug our sweetheart celebrating Valentine's day we never remember the pathos of the jailer's daughter who was fated to receive the Valentine wish first time ever in the world from St. Valentine just before he was going to hang and they dated in the jail. There was a romantic note signed 'From your Valentine' by St. Valentine himself. The magic of his holy being created another spell, just after his death; spring, the season of merrymaking started. Since that time the lovers started dating on 14th February.

Since there is no age bar for falling in love there are different age groups of lovers all round the globe. According to the age groups of people the taste of venue for dating naturally varies. The traditional and nostalgic minds like to fly over the vales and mountains of Scotland countryside. The city of Glasgow is reputed worldwide because the couples believe that St. Valentine still resides at the churches hereby and they call this place as the 'City of Love'. Gretna Green, the sister city has also received the fame of being the ideal place to date and then marry your soul mates. Romantic love birds from England and other European countries come here in order to get married. During ages French castles of historic importance are also noted ethnic Valentine dating venue for couples. The ballerinas of castles and monuments around old boulevards of England, France, Ireland and Scotland are hugely famous and the most exclusive and expensive dating points for sophisticated couples.

Young Americans share different interests than the middle aged couples in case of choosing a perfect venue for their partners on Valentine's day. The new age youngsters love to spend valentine's day parties in the discs with jumbo-box stereophonic Dolby digital sound effect of rock music. The most popular and hep gen-Y culture now a days tend to celebrate the Valentine's day parties at the malls, restaurants and other popular hang out spots for dating. Whereas some middle aged busiest working American couples celebrates Valentine's dates at the warmest and cozy corners of their own sweet homes. Some order delicious menu from favorite restaurants, besides some like to casually roam around the places they dated earlier and cherish the cups of their nostalgia. Pittsberg is one of the hottest choice for the couples of all age because of its photogenic landscapes and worldly reputed inns and restaurants. London is another hotcake in the list of Valentine date venue. The train and air tickets to London from all sides around the globe is overflowed with bookings and reservations during the valentine's day.

Actually its up to the person, your valentine that he or she would like to get a wonderful date at the heavenly places on earth or at the rooftop of your home itself. It will be the greatest joy of the world if your valentine finds the venue awesomely attractive and beautiful. If it pleases him or her too much that she feels like thanking you with a sweetest kiss, that means you are greatly successful in planning out the perfect dating. After all you know your beloved the most. So its your task to find out a perfect and attractively apt venue for celebrating the day to make it an all time memorable one.

Sean Carter writes on holidays, Valentine's Day and world events. He also writes on family, relationships, celebrations, religion, love and friendship. He is a writer with special interest in ecard industry and writes for 123 He is an

active blogger at Valentines Day Blog.

123 He is an

active blogger at Valentines Day Blog

Expressing our feelings in effective ways is a hard task, and it’s something we deal with all the time. Babies express hunger, tiredness and other needs through crying, and it’s up to mom or dad to decipher the source of their conflict. Children are a little more advanced, they can talk. But their feelings are more advanced than a baby’s too, and they don’t always understand them. They have to learn to understand their feelings before they can even begin to express them effectively.

Teenagers are a little more practiced in both of these areas, but they are beginning to deal with the added complication of the reactions of others. They want to express their feelings without disrupting another’s. Adults deal with this too, and though they’ve had a lot of practice, they still struggle with it. Sometimes the reactions of others confuse our ability to express ourselves, no matter how well we’ve prepared.

Whatever stage of life you’re in, expression is an important part of it, and finding effective strategies can make life more meaningful and less painful.

A truly eloquent way of expression is through flowers. They say more than words, and they don’t get mixed up in the delivery. Here is a brief outline of the language of roses.

Red

A

"

Special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries used to be fun events filled with joy, laughter and happiness—that is, until the pressure brought by our inherent need to impress loved ones and make them happy by giving them the perfect gift became too much. Just weeks after wracking your brain figuring out what to give your niece this Christmas, you find yourself trying to think of great gifts ideas for mom and dad yet again as they prepare to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Why bother with trying to find the perfect gift, then? Because for us, there is nothing like seeing the face of a loved-one light up when you manage to send a birthday gift or Christmas present that he or she absolutely loves. Yes, choosing unique Valentine's Day gifts is not, never was, and never will be easy, but they are worth all the effort.

So to make life a little bit easier for all you generous but tired and confused gift-givers, here are some reminders and tips you can use to help make choosing gifts a little bit easier:

1. Use the Internet

More than making instantaneous communication between two persons located on two different continents possible, the Internet has also opened a floodgate of information and helped further broaden the global market. Make the most of the opportunities the Internet presents and use it to research for inexpensive Christmas ideas or, after you've thoroughly checked the store's background, buy unique birthday gifts online.

2. Think of the personality of the gift's recipient

The most important thing to consider when buying a gift is the recipient's personality, his/her likes and dislikes. What most people appreciate most about the gifts they are given is the fact that the gift has been given a lot of thought. A person who is into gangster movies would likely appreciate a complete, special edition DVD set of the Godfather movies than a first edition book on knitting, however rare it may be.

3. Think, and buy, ahead.

One of the worst things you can do when buying gifts is to wait until the very last minute. Not only will you not be able to thoroughly think about what gift to give and force you to buy in haste, you also end up feeling stressed and tired (ever tried Christmas shopping on the 23rd of December?) So always give yourself a few days or weeks to do your gift shopping, not only will you end up with better gifts, you'll also enjoy the act of buying (or making) the gifts better.

4. It's rarely about the price.

While a nice jewelry or the latest game console would be appreciated every once in a while, a homemade gift would also be cherished and loved if given from the heart (yes this sounds corny, but it's true). Old school "dating" gift ideas and items like mixed tapes (or in this digital world, mixed CDs) and scrapbooks are still popular with couples because they appeal to the sentiment, to the emotions and to the heart.

Remember that giving a gift is supposed to be a heartwarming and pleasant experience. Don't let the pressure of choosing the perfect present ruin it for you.

Maraya Mullen is a copywriter affiliated with Gifts and Goodies, an online shopping store that allows clients to send a birthday gift directly to their loved ones. Visit their site to get inexpensive Christmas gift ideas or to buy unique Valentine's day gifts.

Valentine's Day is the time when our hearts and minds turn to love and romance. We think of ways to show the ones we love just how we feel. But many of us are looking for something longer lasting than flowers or chocolates.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to offer our loved ones an unforgettable gift that will stay with them forever? One of the only things that can last a lifetime is our memories.

For Valentine's Day, an offer of loving memories filled with romance can be the very best gift of all. How can we find such a gift?

First of all, we need to be prepared to give our time. Romantic time spent with loved ones is cherished for eternities. And the best part is that when you spend this time with that special someone, we are giving ourselves the same gift! Yes, we will remember these special times for the rest of our lives as well.

Romantic vacations will supply the venue for your gift of time. A romantic cruise would provide an even higher level of romance.

What could be more wonderful than watching the sun rise over an exotic island from your private balcony. Or standing on deck arm-in-arm as the sun sets into the azure sea. Each morning you awake and step out onto your balcony to see what new adventure the day will bring – sun and sea or exotic port-of-call.

Today's cruise ships are more like floating resorts than ships. There are activities to entertain you from morning until the wee hours of the following morning. You have the option to take part in as many – or as few – of the activities as you like.

The elegant dining room adds that extra romantic ambiance. There are alternate fine restaurants that offer exquisite cuisine as well. And of course, if you so choose, the buffet is serving dinner as well.

There are a number of shops on the large cruise ships as well for those shop-til-you-drop vacationers. These can provide romantic moments as well with their excellent selection of jewelry and fragrances.

By booking your romantic cruise as a Valentine's gift, you will have the added pleasure of watching the excitement build in your loved one as your vacation approaches.

And for that added touch of romance how about having a gift of cruise or resort wear for her to open when you arrive on board? Perhaps an elegant piece of lingerie or a sexy swimsuit.

If you aren't sure that a cruise vacation would be romantic enough, you need to check out our seven article series Romantic Cruise Vacation – One Cyber Week at Sea.

is your one stop shopping site for romantic getaways cruises, exotic cruises, cruise wear and great cruise deals. Visit our Romantic Cruise page for more information. Or go directly to our Romantic Cruise Vacation articles highlighting a romantic week at sea.

Valentine's Day has always been the day when lovers across the world say it with flowers. This Valentine's Day, surprise your love by being a little creative with flowers. Whether you choose roses or orchids, whether you go for some traditional arrangements or some special ones, you can always be a little unusual and make it a special Valentine's Day for your love.

To be creative with flowers requires lots of love, imagination and the support of reliable florists like Kellee Flowers.

You can surprise your love by sending Flowers to his or her office. Women, especially love such surprises as they proudly flaunt it to their fellow colleagues. Just log on to and order the choicest of Valentines Day Roses online. This way you can keep it a top secret and also you can get it delivered at just the time of the day you want.

Another great idea is to wake him up with flowers. When the doorbell rings this morning of Valentine's Day, nudge him to answer the door. Catch him absolutely unprepared when he receives a huge bouquet of garden fresh roses.

Sometimes even the choice of flowers or the arrangement of flowers makes all the difference. Gift a bouquet of all her favorite flowers specially designed to impress her. You can get creative by arranging them to make a shape of heart or create different shapes and patterns to give it an unusual but pretty look. More than the flowers, it would be your thoughtfulness that will delight her.

When it's Kellee Flowers, you can always expect more creativity. Choose from the different arrangements of flowers from our website and simply click and order. After you have chosen the bouquet that you find the most impressive, you can also order some helium heart shaped balloons to add on to your bouquet to give it a more complete look and also that is very apt for the occasion.

And what could a better way to spice up your Valentine's Day than by adhering to the age old sure shot formula- that is by gifting chocolates. One of the surest ways to creep inside your beloved's heart or to re-ignite the love you always had is by gifting her a box of creamy rich, scrumptious, finger licking chocolates. Now you can also order chocolates along with Valentine's Day Flower delivery from Kellee Flowers.

John is a well known author who writes for

There are stories that serve us as fuel for inspiration for they capture the finer essence of humanity and remain with us as symbols of the things many of us hold dear. Of course the historical authenticity of these tales may lead to endless debate among historians and other such scholars. The story I speak of is that of Saint Valentine, whose day we commemorate every February 14th in the manner of giving Valentine's day cards along with flowers to that special someone in our lives who draws us to adoration.

The narrative of the Saint Valentine (for there have been many) who lent his name to the day we uphold on the 14th of February took place at the start of the 3rd century in Rome during the reign of Claudius II. It was in his time that the Roman Empire was involved in many an un popular war which like all others required many an able man to fight, however these men were not easy to come by as volunteers were rare.

Many a reason were thought to be the culprit for this lack of desire to join the military by society's younger males however it was eventually settled upon by Claudius II that marriage was at fault. Logic being that when men marry they long to stay home and have families as opposed to wanting to go to war and perform their duty to the emperor so it was with this in mind that Claudius II instated a law banning all marriages.

It was from the backdrop that was this injustice that a priest who history would dub Saint Valentine would emerge. It being he who by virtue of performing clandestine weddings came out in defiance of this law which many considered excessive and in defense of those who sought to marry the ones their feelings of romance lead them to. Saint Valentine would go on to perform many a wedding ceremony for couples who were more then grateful at the service he had performed which no other in Rome would dare to.

It happened however that in spite of all the care taken by Saint Valentine in order not to be discovered that word of his deeds spread to Claudius II who upon hearing of this insolence toward his law had Saint Valentine arrested and brought to trial for disobeying his decree. It was in the trial that ensued Saint Valentine's arrest that he was found guilty and ordered to be put to death by clubbing.

This perhaps is the point in our story where Saint Valentine became a legend as it was in the time of his imprisonment that he received several flowers and cards from well wishers and happy couples who had been joined in matrimony thanks to this man who now found himself in prison. It was while behind bars and awaiting his execution that one of the jailers who happened to have an unsighted daughter came to hear of Saint Valentine for he was also known as a man who possessed knowledge in the field of medicine.

It was precisely this Jailer (name not recorded by history) who pleaded with Saint Valentine to do what ever was in his power so that his daughter might cease to be sightlessness. Saint Valentine naturally being one whose temperament was generous did not refuse, taking this girl in to his medical treatment whose name is also unknown to the pages of history. It coming about from these daily visits with the intent of being cured that feelings of affection developed between this young lady and Saint Valentine, who many suspected had fallen in love. Such being the closeness of their relationship which though never turned physical saw them share the most intimate aspects of their passion.

Eventually the day arrived on which Saint Valentine's sentence was to be carried out and perhaps this is where myth takes over our story. As it was Saint Valentine who on that day seeing that he would not be allowed to see the young lady who had come to be his friend one last time wrote a letter of farewell to be handed to her.

As for this letter, its exact contacts are neither known nor of consequence being our imagination can tell us its general concept based upon what we know of the relationship that existed between Saint Valentine and this girl who till today remains unnamed. However though it can be stated that the precise words used in this message bear no importance the same would not hold as truth for the manner in which it was signed with the words "your Valentine".

It is believed by those whose souls are infused with romance that upon receiving this letter this young lady who up an till that moment in her life had been blind became sighted. Such being the devotion in this letter that allowed her to feel how ardently she was loved by this man who would go on to be known as the patron Saint of those who find themselves swathed in love's harmony.

On the 14th of February, 229 A.D. (same day he wrote his now famous letter) Saint Valentine himself went on to be clubbed to death after which he was beheaded with his hands being severed from his body. The Romans doing on to him what they had done on to Cicero some centuries before. Executing Saint Valentine however proved a much simpler matter then killing what he represented for this was what non could accomplish. This past statement holding true as close to 1,800 are the years that have passed since his death and Saint Valentine is not only remembered but his day is celebrated through out the world by couples who send each other cards which they like he so many years ago sign "your Valentine". Perhaps they follow this tradition along with several others not even knowing from where of they originate or who Saint Valentine really was. For my part however I see not where this matters for if those who uphold Valentine's day kindle within the same feelings held by Saint Valentine for their beloved does this not suffice?

My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. As for the details regarding my life I would say that there is nothing that lifts them above the ordinary. I was born in New York City in 1967 on May 21st and am presently living in Warsaw, Poland where I wrote my first book "New York's Opera Society" now Available on Amazon.

The day my daughter came home from school talking about a Valentine fundraiser my heart sank. The school was selling heart shaped brownies for the children to send to their "special friends." They could even send them anonymously. Everyone, she explained, was trying to buddy up to make sure to get a brownie. I know this is not nice to presume, but what if your child doesn't get a brownie, what if they don't find a buddy?

Most of us can remember times when we were left out. Maybe everyone else paired off for a dance and we never got a date. The most popular kid in class threw a party and we weren't invited. Luckily, a brownie is easier to produce than a date or a party invitation. It's also easier to use in learning to love and appreciate yourself.

One event comes to mind, which was very special to me. I won a small award, nothing grand on a world scale, but I wanted to celebrate and I really wanted flowers. Now, my honey would have bought me flowers if I had told him I wanted them, or I could have even sulked until he read my mind.

Instead, I did something very innovative for me. I bought myself flowers. I didn't spend a lot, just a small bouquet to tell myself that I appreciated me. I was proud of what I had done and those flowers felt good. Every time I looked at them, I felt good. Now when I think back to that award, what I remember most is not the award, it is that I learned to give myself flowers. I learned to take responsibility for my own "feel goods."

I keep hearing ads for Valentine's Day and every time I do, I think about those flowers. I think about all the Valentine Days I rushed to an empty mailbox and sat alone feeling left out of the world. Valentine's Day can be the unhappiest holiday of the year, and I love holidays. On Valentine's Day, we routinely put all of our emotional feel goods in someone else's lap. We are supposed to wait patiently to be told how wonderful and how loved we truly are.

It sounds worse every minute. I think it's not just okay, it's probably a good idea, to tell the kids that when that brownie cart comes around to buy themselves a Valentine. Tell that to yourself, too. If you sit around waiting for someone else to tell you how special you are you may wait for a very long time. I don't even mean that to sound negative. But somehow, it seems like I have spent more Valentine Days wishing for Valentines than getting them and I can't honestly say that I haven't got my fair share. I truly have, but it is the times in between that bring so much pain and there is no reason for it to be that way.

If kids learn it early, they are truly ahead of the game. They won't spend chunks of their life in aimless waiting. Moments spent with special friends are treasures, but so are the moments spent alone. And I can almost guarantee, those kids will feel a whole lot better eating a brownie they provided for themselves than sitting around watching everyone else eat theirs.

Those flowers I bought myself were some of the best I ever got and not because they were the grandest. It was because I learned to appreciate myself. I learned to accept responsibility for my own "feel goods." There is no shame in that. If you have a special someone in your life, that is a bonus. It is truly a treasure -- never to be taken for granted. However, in the ebb and flow of life, it is inevitable that we are all going to spend at least some part of it alone. The only person who stays with us from the time we are born until the day we die is our own self. Shouldn't we truly appreciate and make certain that we feel special too?

© Regina Pickett Garson

Regina Pickett Garson edits and publishes Magic Stream -- which is among the earliest online self-help and wellness resources. She teaches at Virginia College in Huntsville, Alabama.

There is no guarantee that I will ever achieve my life's dreams and go on to live a hugely successful existence. In fact, unless I know precisely what "success" means to me, I will never be a winner during this lifetime. Knowing is the key. Success is not only reached by those who keep their fires of desire burning strong and who keep trying and trying again until they succeed, but it is reached by those who know what they desire. Those who attain greatness display the winning character trait of perceptiveness. This is the shrewd ability to know what "success" means to them.

Success can be defined as the progressive realization of specific objectives. As success relates to my life, this is the continual attainment of my own clearly defined desires. Like many people though, I may not yet have determined exactly what success means to me, therefore I have little chance of attaining it until my goals are clearly set. Success, it can be said, is to decide exactly what I do want, establish specific plans of action, and then take enthusiastic action to achieve what I most desire. However, to attain a lifetime of success, some form of measuring system needs to be in place to gauge how successful I am presently compared to how successful I want to be. For the Empowered Millionaire, this measuring system is the PEP Rating.

Success is not necessarily being the best or having the most or being number one or finishing first. Real success is a journey of continuous improvement and is found in doing the best that I possibly can in all endeavors with which I am involved. Fortune definitely favors the person who assesses where he or she is now and uses this information to make well-versed decisions to successfully guide their future. Therefore, in my quest for success, I must learn to employ this same technique of analyzing my present position to make better judgments for the future course of my life. The lesson here in this PEP Rating exercise is to give all ten areas of my life a score and then combine all scores into a final total that accurately reflects my current status. This will certainly increase my chances for success and lessen those of an unfavorable outcome.

To be hugely successful on an ongoing basis, I need to measure where I am in the ten areas of my life at this precise moment in time with where I desire to be at a specific point in the future. By knowing where I am presently compared with where I say I want to be, this will enable me to more accurately assess my efforts. The way that I measure where I am now is by way of calculating my PEP Rating. PEP (which stands for "Personal Empowerment Percentage") is the evaluation system that I shall use to determine if I am on course to design my ultimate lifestyle. By way of my PEP Rating, I shall give each of the ten areas of my life an individual score from one to ten based on how that area presently parallels with my ideal scenario.

To calculate my own PEP Rating, I must analyze the ten areas of my life and follow these two steps:

1. Give each area a mark from 1 to 10 for how my life is today compared with my ultimate ideal. It is vital that it is my ideal, not that of someone else. I should not judge myself against the world's best in that area.

2. Add these marks together. This number out of a maximum total of one hundred represents my PEP Rating.

There is no right or wrong rating. I will find that as my life's circumstances change, so my PEP Rating will also change. The lower the number, obviously the more room for improvement I have. Correspondingly, the higher the number, the more successful my life presently.

Physical

I shall give myself a score from 1 to 10 for the state of my health and general physical condition today relative to my ideal. If I am supremely fit, with an excellent body, and always feel invigorated and full of energy, I should give myself a high score of 9 or the maximum 10 points. However, if I am overweight, out of shape and in constant ill-health, my rating here may only be 1 or 2 or 3. It is up to me to decide upon what score I warrant based on how my health really is today.

Financial

I shall give myself a score from 1 to 10 based on my current financial status relative to the income and net worth I desire to generate. If I am a multi-millionaire and have already attained financial freedom, I shall award myself the maximum score of 10. However, if I am on skid row, with zero savings, high indebtedness and low earnings, perhaps I warrant a score of only 1 or 2 at most.

Business

How is the success of my business; or do I even have a business as such? I shall give myself a score from 1 to 10 for this area based on how I rate today compared to my ideal business scenario.

Career

I shall give myself a score from 1 to 10 for the career area of my life. This score must accurately reflect my occupational status today relative to how I see myself in an ideal future. Do I have the job of my dreams or am I unemployed? Depending upon where I am right now professionally, this will dictate my rating. The higher the score, the more successful I am career-wise. And, likewise, the lower the score, the more dissatisfied I am vocationally.

Mental

If I am mentally very alert with an excellent memory and sharp intellectual skills, I shall rank myself very highly here with perhaps a score of 8 or 9 or 10. However, if I am mentally dull and have psychological fatigue with a poor memory, I should give myself a low score.

Social

If all my social objectives have been met and I consider myself presently to be hugely successful within this arena, I shall give myself a high score here. Whereas, if my social life is a huge disappointment relative to my ideal, my score of perhaps 1 or 2 or 3 should accurately reflect this fact.

spiritual

I must give myself a score dependent on whether I am spiritually satisfied right now and consider myself to be highly enlightened or whether I am divinely disillusioned and nowhere near enlightenment.

Family

Have all my family aspirations been met and am I living a joyful life of blissful contentment with my kin? If so, my score here will be very high. If not, a low score will accurately reflect this status.

Material

This material area is an extremely personal one in that the goals I establish here will vary enormously depending upon how materially voracious my appetite is and how successfully I have fed my materialistic hunger? However, the higher my level of contentment today with the material possessions I have accumulated, the higher my score. And, likewise, the lower my present level of satisfaction, the lower the rate I will give myself here.

Adventure

If I am living an exciting, adventurous lifestyle in keeping with my ideal, I should rank myself very highly here with perhaps a score of 8 or 9 or 10. However, if my recreational time holds no exhilaration and is dull, I should give myself a low score of perhaps 1 or 2 or 3. If I feel middle-of-the-road and my life ranks only average adventurously, my score would be around the middle mark of 5 only.

To live a balanced life, should I make it a new winning discipline of mine to check my PEP Rating on a regular basis? Yes, as this will help me to compare just how well-balanced my entire life truly is, and in which areas I require most improvement. As one of my ultimate objectives, I shall strive to attain harmony and fulfillment in all ten areas of my life. I must not be too narrow-minded, focusing on improving just two or three areas. Instead I shall expand my horizons and seek continual progress within all ten areas.

# # #

James Lee Valentine is an "Empowering Author Extraordinaire" having written more than sixty books on personal empowerment and financial mastery now published in twelve countries worldwide.

View his website:

James Lee Valentine is founder of the Empowered Millionaire Institute "The Most Value-Packed Financial Empowerment Resource Center" which will help you be financially empowered for life.

Membership is FREE at:

If it wasn't enough to have January being one of the coldest, if not dreariest, months of the year, they had to go and dub it the month more couples break up than any other month of the year.

Six out of ten couples will break up this month. Sounds awful, doesn't it?

I never cared much for January anyway. After-Christmas bills are piling in, it's too cold to enjoy most outdoor sports (or the ones I like anyway), and everything looks so bare and dreary. No wonder this is the month for the most breakups.

But, other than that, why is it that January beats out the others?

Here's my educated guess. Valentine's Day is right around the corner.

Something clicks in people's heads that if they plan on getting out, they better do it now before it's too late. When Valentine's Day hits, they surely want to be with someone they love, or they don't want to break their once-loved one's heart on the most romantic day of the year so they do it now.

Another reason why it might be that January brings forth more breakups than any other month could be that the new year signals new beginnings. It is a time when people step back and reflect on the previous year, and if there are changes to be made, this is the time to do it.

Unfortunate for some, these changes include a reevaluation of their love life.

If a relationship isn't working, and can't be fixed, a breakup is inevitable. The Dear John or Dear Janet letter goes out, and that's if they even bother to tell them at all. Believe me, from what I hear, some choose to just vanish from the scene of the crime without any warning, the dirty scumbags that they are.

So, what happens if you're the dumpee?

After you've mourned the loss of your relationship, turn the other cheek and try to learn what it is you were supposed to learn from the relationship. Every relationship is a learning lesson in humility, courage and stamina. Other lessons will be learned, but those are enough in itself.

If you keep in mind that every single person who comes into your life from here on out on a soul mate basis does so for a reason, it helps you to see why it is that people are there in the first place. Some are not meant to be long-term. In fact, some just come into your life to help you with a particular situation, and they are gone. More than likely, most of them left in January, according to statistics, but even though they are gone in the flesh, their spirit will linger forever.

The reason for this is that when two soul mates meet in the first place, it is one spirit calling to another. The one spirit recognizes the other spirit from a previous life perhaps, but whatever the case, there is instant recognition.

That recognition, that spiritual connection, will never go away even if the breakup ends on less than amicable terms.

This may or may not be what you want to hear, but from a professional stand-point, this is what happens.

So, if you happen to be one of the statistics this year, and you become the victim of a breakup, remember that there was a reason for the two of you to come together in the first place. Figure out what it was that you learned from it, and go on from there.

Breaking up is certainly hard to do because nothing hurts worse than the pain of the heart.

Even though it seems a callous thing on the part of your boyfriend/girlfriend, think of it as a favor. To extend a bad relationship would be detrimental to your well-being. Things would only escalate, and who knows what might happen.

There is a distinct plan for you, and this certain person was only meant to come into your life to teach you something, or you teach him, so find ways to look on this as a learning experience. You'll come out ahead in the long run and it will only empower you for the next relationship.

And just think of how nice the next one will be because you have learned a valuable lesson that will give you more strength and power than you had before.

With each relationship, you grow stronger and more confident in what does and does not make you happy. Before long, you will find the one who is supposed to be with you on a long term basis.

Meanwhile, pick up the pieces, learn what it is you are supposed to learn from this relationship, and move on into a better life and a better world of pure, soul mate love.

© Dorothy Thompson

Relationship expert Dorothy Thompson is the editor/contributing author of ROMANCING THE SOUL and coaches those seeking answers to their soul mate questions. You can visit her website at or her blog at