Valentine’s Day 2011: More Than Just Dinner, Cards, Chocolate, and Gifts

Ahh valentines day- the chocolates, the flowers, the sexy foods, the love between two people, the pain of a breakup, the fun of being sexy and single!!

No one really knows the exact origins of Valentine’s Day, but most historians believe it has it’s origins in Roman and Christian religions and Saint Valentinecultures, amongst other romantic legends. I am sure other religions and cultures factor into this holiday, too. Some websites say the day is named after some early Christian martyrs named Valentine who were cruelly executed by Popes or Emperors (so many versions, including the about-to-be-executed Valentine who slipped a note to the jailer’s daughter, with whom he he fell in love with, signing the scrap of paper, ‘From Your Valentine’).

It became associated with romance during the Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. On the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, February 14 was the feastday of Saint Valentine, until it was removed in 1969. Now it is a commercial holiday. 

Some symbols of V Day are realized as hearts, cupids, paper creations bedecked with ribbons and lace, roses and flowers, doves and lovebirds, and loveknots. I’m single, so, I won’t be spending money on baubles for a boy, but somehow I still get swept up in the flowers and candy since we have a florist in the family, so I know I’ll get a rose or two! If you need amazing blooms- call the House of Flowers & Gifts, 27 S Main Street in Phoenixville.

The romance and fun of Valentine’s Day isn’t lost on me however, since V Day can be fun for all. You can show everyone in your life you love them- cards for kids, have a Valentine's day potluck dinner with your best girlfriends, take your guy friends out for a beer or a game of darts- this holiday doesn’t have to be focused just on a couple. You could take your dog for a walk and be happy to be outside (especially since I hear it’s going to warm up in the Philly area!) I say this year, just treat yourself, and / or your friends and family. Go relax!

Over 190 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas, says History.com. In the Victorian Era, handwritten hards created with lace and scraps of ribbons were all the rage, until mass-produced ones came into play.

One V Day favorite has got to be chocolate - sexy foods are definitely a fun and playful way to show someone you love them- even if it is giving a wrapped truffle to a friend, or feeding oysters on the half shell to your lover. Or try making lemon and lime spicy chicken - get those creative juices flowing! Champagne with strawberries or raspberries or raspberry liqueur is delicious, as well as a sweet wine like riesling paired with crab cakes or foie gras. This should definitely make you feel just a little bit amorous!

I personally love Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc, a delicious, light and grape-fruity wine that tastes good with anything, even the old cheese-crackers-and-grapes standby. I recently had cheese grits at Daddy Mims in Phoenixville, and I swear I fell in love. These savory morsels would have anyone swooning! And sweet desserts- anything gooey and with whipped cream is a bonus, and cinnamon- good for the heart.

Want to do something to help others and their hearts? Go to www.Facebook.com/Macys and click on the Valentines tab. For every valentine sent, Macy’s will donate $1 to the American Heart Association.

So what are you doing this Valentine’s Day to treat yourself or others? I think after work, I’ll take in a power yoga class, then go home and make some fondue, which I’ll invite my friends over to share. Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc will definitely be involved! Maybe next weekend, I’ll treat myself to a massage!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Philly!

Youths painting Mysore red this Valentine's Day

Robertson, greeting cards, roses and chocolates. Young people are painting the town red with options for countless gifts for their loved ones and nothing can prevent them from rejoicing love this year.
This growing power of the shops, gifts, compared to last year. Do not let the opportunity pass, the shops are filled with roses, balloons, chocolates, jewelry and accessories, primarily in the form of love.
Maps trend this year ranging from 50 to 700 R and chocolate roses around Rs 50 to 200.
Said Vinod Kumar, the owner of a private gift shop has started selling, but will reach its peak in the Holiday of love. "Compared with last year, we have good answers at this time, there are new maps, and an added attraction and chocolate. Soft games are in great demand," he said.
Regardless of age, sex, and people are flocking to our stores, "says MK Manjunath and Archies in the way Ramavilas.
To Aravind, and this is the challenge of greeting card to get it right. Not to find the gift shops at Yahoo Saraswathipuram, said: "Last year I had a card from the wife of rejoicing love my friend, so this year we will give it one I will spend time with her in the Planet X
Flower shops are preparing for a large auction. "We expect good business in the Holiday of Love", and added Krishna. Red roses are in great demand. He said that we take from Bangalore and Ooty.

Valentine's Day

Holiday love, in many cases to shorten the Holiday of love, [1] [2] [3], is the annual celebration held on February 14 celebrated the love and affection between the intimate community. [1] [3] days after the establishment of one or more of the early martyrs of the name of Christianity, the festival of love, Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. Was removed from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but still allows his religious celebration. This is usually the one day when fans say they love each other by offering flowers, cakes, and send greeting cards (known as the "Holiday Love"). Become linked in the first day with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when courtly love flourished.
Modern icons include gala love heart-shaped outline, doves sold, and the figure of Cupid wings. Since the 19 th century, and Holiday Cards Love handwritten greeting given way to mass-produced

Not Into Valentine's Day? You're Not Alone

For all of you who don't share the same happy, floating on air, love makes the world go round feeling on Valentine's Day don't worry you're not alone! The ex reality show star, Lauren Conrad told MTV it wasn't one of her favorite days to celebrate.

It's not hard to guess why she wouldn't be a fan of the holiday! We've all watched season after season the many failed relationships she's been through "I'm not really a Valentine's Day girl. I'm not big on celebrating it. I've never really had an amazing Valentine's Day." Don't worry Lauren we're sure can say there's a whole handful people who wouldn't disagree with you!

Through the cheating and the heartbreak the former "Hills" star has grown mature and more confident in the past couple of years. "Oh, I knew back then when I was being cheated on. But I overlooked it. The more confident me has come to the point where I've finally realized it's not something that everyone does," she shared. "And it's not OK to have your guy hook up with someone else. You deserve better."

It's ok, Valentine's Day isn't for everyone!

LWC- Valentine's Day Breakfast in Bed

Lisa's Weekly Coffee:
Breakfast in Bed

Start off Valentine's Day the romantic way with a romantic "Breakfast in Bed". A romantic breakfast for 2 can start by sipping some Grand Champagne accompanied by romantic heart shaped french toast and to end your morning breakfast I've chosen to add that additional sweetness:"Honey Fruit Salad".

Raspberries can add that romantic flair to your morning breakfast, so why not serve a cup of raspberry coffee or a sweet cup of raspberry tea.

Grand Champagne source: recipezaar.com






Almond french Toast Heart Recipe source: cdkitchen.com






Honey Fruit Salad source: allrecipes.com





Lisa's Weekly Coffee
Shesdaily.com




Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only. The above recipes are based on virtual research and credit has been given to the appropriate site. Images are a source of Google and may not reflect the actual recipes.

Taylor and Taylor are Getting Serious!

Country singer Taylor Swift has reportedly been dating 'Twilight' actor Taylor Lautner after they met on set of their romantic comedy ‘Valentine’s Day.' Swift took Lautner out to dinner with her mom Andrea Swift on Monday night, sparking rumours their relationship is getting serious.

“Are we an item? I don’t know," said Swift. "He’s an amazing guy and we’re really close. And, yep, were in a movie together and I’m really excited about seeing it.”

The 19-year-old singer can't wait to see herself looking loved-up with Lautner on the big screen. She has asked movie bosses to let them watch the an advanced version of the film in private.

She explained to CMT Radio host Cody Alan: "I haven't seen ‘Valentine's Day’ at all. So hopefully we'll get to do a private screening because we both wanna see it so bad 'cause our scene was so much fun to do."

The songstress recently admitted she was ready to start dating again following her split from Joe Jonas last October.

Taylor and Taylor were spotted together at a Los Angeles Kings hockey game last weekend.

"I love him, he's so cute," she recently admitted.

‘Valentine’s Day’ is due for release next year.

Just in Time for Valentine's Day and Motown's 50th Anniversary!

Amazon is celebrating the Motown 50th anniversary by giving away the most amazing “mood” song in the history of music.

Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” is available for free download today only on Amazon.com!

Click here to download, offer ends tonight!

More Positive Valentine's Day News!

GreatAmericans.org Partners with 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and CinCHouse to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Are you feeling the love? “The mission of Great Americans is to tell the stories of the positive role models of our time,” said Matt Daniels. “What better place to start than with the stories of men and women in uniform who put their lives at risk to protect the rest of us, both at home and abroad.” Matt Daniels, J.D., PhD, created the Great Americans movement to share the stories of positive role models, something he worked hard to find in his personal life.

Great Americans will share the love of America’s heroes by launching GreatAmericans.org on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2009. The purpose of Great Americans is to celebrate people in every area of society whose lives offer a positive example to others. Great Americans currently consists of GreatAmericans.com, where visitors can login and upload videos or simply check out the website for segments featuring military, law enforcement, fire/rescue, NASA, Homeland Security and everyday American heroes. The new addition of GreatAmericans.org is a sister site featuring weekly award-winning videos, news, a network blogroll and more.

GreatAmericans.org has partnered with CinCHouse.com to launch its first online patriotism awards program. In honor of Valentine’s Day, GreatAmericans.com is asking proud military spouses, families and friends to showcase their service members by uploading their exemplary stories. GreatAmericans.org has also partnered with 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and each month will showcase Americans in uniform whose exemplary stories will be shared with the American people in video form through the Great Americans (GA) website.

To engage viewers, GA will launch a monthly contest identifying the “Great American of the Month.” 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will present an award to each winner. At the end of the year, GA will host a national event in Washington, D.C. to recognize all of the winners and GA corporate sponsors.

Valentine's Day Ideas!

Whether you can't wait for candy and flowers or the 14th is looming over your head like a rainy cloud, we've got some ideas for Valentine's Day that won't break the bank or your heart! Here are some ways to celebrate Valentine's Day a bit more romantically and creatively.

- Get some poster board and decorate it with all your special memories! Movie ticket stubs, receipts from dates, favorite candy wrappers, and other little reminders of the special times spent together.

- You know how there's the famous "12 Days of Christmas?" Well, how about the "14 Days to Valentine's Day?" Send a goodie each day - it doesn't have to be anything big or expensive.

- Make a Valentine's themed dinner! All the food can be easily dyed red or pink. How about pink mashed potatoes, pink bread, red Jell-O, and a red tinted heart cake with pink icing? There's a start!

"My Mariah Ballad" Valentine's Day E-Card!

This is pretty cool! Send your Valentine a special greeting! Starting February 2, fans can go to www.MyMariahBallad.com to create a special Valentine’s Day card with a personal recorded message. Using one of Mariah’s hit ballads “Dreamlover,” “Vision of Love,” or “Hero” fans can then sing the ballad themselves or use the original version sung by Mariah. The ballad along with a personal message is then embedded into an animated e-card which can be sent virally to friends and family in time for Valentine’s Day.

Mariah Carey’s recent CD release The Ballads features 18 chart-topping hits including nine #1 fan favorites like: ‘Hero,’ ‘Vision Of Love,’ ‘One Sweet Day (Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men)’ and ‘Dreamlover.’

Mariah Carey has sold over 200 million albums worldwide. She made her recording debut in 1990 with Columbia records, becoming the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Pete Wentz and Tyrone Wells Spread The Love!

This Valentine’s day, Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy and singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells are playing cupid for a cause. Invisible Children, a media-based organization that provides relief for the war-affected people of northern Uganda, is holding a raffle to win a personalized Valentine’s videogram for your sweetheart. Tickets can be purchased as two for $2, four for $5, or 20 for $20 on Invisible Children’s online store until February 11th.

Winners will receive a personal note from Pete or Tyrone to their Valentine via video on February 14th, with all proceeds going to Invisible Children. The raffle’s inception came about with Wells in 2008, who has largely been involved with Invisible Children throughout the years. Wells has participated in their national event called the Global Night Commute, and by selling the original ‘Rough Cut’ documentary on the road. Wentz has also been an active advocate for the organization, taking Invisible Children out on three Fall Out Boy tours, including their upcoming tour in April, along with his involvement in other fundraising initiatives, including his recent art show in Los Angeles with Travis from Gym Class Heroes.

Invisible Children’s ability to creatively integrate a community of musicians and artists around its mission has generated a global awareness about the longest-running war in Africa in an entirely unique way. With the success of 12 band tours, benefit shows, and music festivals like Bamboozle and Warped tour, Invisible Children has empowered artists to use their voice in a powerful and inspiring way.

Click on the links below to choose which artist you would most like to send a heart-filled message to the one you love:

Pete Wentz-
http://store.invisiblechildren.com/pete-wentz-valentine-s-raffle.html

Tyrone Wells-
http://store.invisiblechildren.com/tyrone-wells-valentine-s-raffle.html

About Invisible Children, Inc.
Invisible Children is a social, political and global movement using the transformative power of a story to change lives. By inspiring youth culture to value creativity, idealism and sacrifice, the movement fuels the most effective, adaptable and innovative programs in the world. Programs on the ground focus on long-term development through education and economic opportunities, while awareness and advocacy efforts focus on educating and inspiring the Western world to use their unique voice for change. The organization was created after the release of the 2004 film “Invisible Children: Rough Cut,” a revealing documentary about the life of child soldiers in northern Uganda. For more information, visit http://www.invisiblechildren.com/