5 Top Gifts for Valentine's Day

Top 5 Gifts for Valentine's Day by Corina Volegna

 February 14th is right around the corner, and we all know what that means! It’s time for another Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s is a great day to show your significant other that you really care about them, or if you find yourself single this season, it can also be a great time to show friends and family how grateful you are for their presence in your life. Whether or not you’re having a traditional Valentine’s Day, a gift is a fantastic way to show how you feel. Below you will find some ideas to help you get the ball rolling and to help you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

Dinner and a Movie

This is a classic suggestion for a reason. Instead of, (or in addition to) getting someone a gift, you can insure that the both of you will have a great time. Tailor the night to their tastes by taking them to a restaurant they adore and go to a movie that they want to see. Maybe they want to see a chick flick or an action movie that’s not your thing; take them anyway and you will certainly receive brownie points! You can class up the evening further too be taking them to a live performance, like their favorite play or a musical. Remember, dinner and a show may be rather traditional, but taking them to do things they enjoy shows that you’ve been paying attention.

Name a Star

If you want a truly unique gift, you could name a star or a galaxy after your loved one! Now available are certified websites that allow you to do this truly romantic gesture, and they include a lovely certificate with the naming. The certificate will have the new name of the star or galaxy, its location, and possibly even a picture! Just double check that no one else had this romantic idea in the past, because just for an example, you wouldn’t want to get your girlfriend the same thing her ex-boyfriend got her in the past!

Stuffed Animals

This can really be a great gift because you can do a lot with your own inventiveness and have many variations. Obviously you can give a plush toy on its own, but you can also pair it with another gift in cute and fun ways. For example, get a plush cat or a stuffed lion to hold a box of chocolates or a red rose (or many roses!) You can get them to hold anything that you think your loved one would enjoy and it will make your present even more special. Just make sure if they have a favorite animal or pet that you get the stuffed equivalent, because people appreciate personalization, and it’s important to show that you know someone well. You can also make a great big statement by getting them an extra-large plush toy. Some stuffed animals are made to be 90 inches! Just imagine the surprise and delight someone would feel when they receive a present that’s as big as they are! When you give someone a 90 inch teddy bear, they will definitely have a “wow” reaction.

A Pet to Share

Valentine’s Day can also be the day to take your relationship a step further by getting a pet that you two can own together. You would both take care of it and enjoy its companionship. Of course, this gift option can be fraught with perils. First, you have to be very sure that they would want a pet, and know what kind to get them. Or if you want a dog and she wants a cat, maybe this wouldn’t be the best idea for you. And of course, if someone has allergies this obviously would not be the way to go. But, if you know that you both love the same type of pet, and you know that you both are ready to take an extra step in your relationship, this  can be an incredibly special gift that they will remember forever!

A Heart to Make Every Moment Special

Luckily, because of the proliferation of Valentine’s Day, you can now find hearts everywhere, not just in the flower and chocolate business. Many other industries have realized they too can provide for Valentine’s Day business. Almost anything can be made into a heart shape on February 14th, which makes a great option when you and your loved ones don’t feel like being very fancy. For example, talk to your local pizza store and have them make you a heart-shaped pizza. It can be a great nod to the holiday without going overboard, or a great way to acknowledge the day in a non-romantic way, say if you are single and celebrating with friends. And of course, you can do this with practically anything. Get some heart-shaped coffee cups and start the day on a romantic note when you serve your sweetie in bed. Be creative, and you can make the day just that much more special.

As you can see, these ideas run the gambit from romantic, expensive, affordable, unique or traditional. This is all you need to have a great February 14th, happy Valentine’s Day!

Looking to get the perfect plush cat? Choose from the endless plush animals collection at KCPlush.com . Now you will surely get that "wow" effect!

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

Sugary Sweet Beauty

In the self-care and beauty industry, the latest craze is including sugar in skin care products. If you search the internet you will find everything from sugar body scrubs to sugar hair removers. The prices can range from $8.00 to $35.00 for each product. How's that for a product in which the main ingredient can cost you a no more that $3.00 for a 5 pound bag!

To enjoy all of the benefits of a sugar based product without shelling out the big bucks, trys these recipes:

Orange Cream Sugar Body Scrub
This recipe is great to remove dead skin and give your skin a healthy glow. The sugar contains glycolic acid and the cream is a source for lactic acid. Avoid irritated or broken skin areas.

Ingredients:
½ cup sugar
2 TBSP cream or whole milk
5 drops orange oil 1 cup olive, jojoba, or almond oil
Mix sugar, oil and cream together. Add orange oil after main ingredients are completely mixed.

Apply to your body by starting at the feet and working your way up. Massage in a circular motion and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then shower it off. This recipe is enough to make one full body treatment.

Lemon Head Sugar Body Scrub
This recipe is both cleansing and detoxifying. Lemon is very detoxifying to the body and will also help brighten the skin.

Ingredients:
½ cup sugar
10 drops lemon oil or ½ a lemon freshly squeezed
1 cup olive, jojoba, or almond oil
Mix all ingredients together. Apply to your body by starting at the feet and working your way up. Massage in a circular motion, then shower it off. This recipe is enough to make one full body treatment.


Facial Cleanser

Ingredients:
White or brown sugar Your favorite facial cleanser Witch hazel Water
Using your favorite daily facial soap, an easy, inexpensive facial scrub can be made by adding sugar. Simply add a teaspoon of either white sugar or brown sugar and massage it gently on your facial skin. Rinse with cool water and spritz your face with a ½ witch hazel and ½ water mixture.

Sugar is a natural and inexpensive way to include alpha-hydroxy acids in your skincare program. It produces glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which is included in many skincare product lines. Today's pricey beauty products that include sugar or alpha hydroxy acid, can be created inexpensively right at your kitchen table. You will experience all of the benefits without the inflated price.

About the author: Danielle Sims explored her library of alternative health, herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. For more information visit Danielle's website http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com This article is copyright (c) 2003 by Danielle Sims, and may be reprinted in it's entirety as long as this byline and copyright statement is included.

How to Choose the Perfect Fragrance

(NewsUSA) - From finding a scent, choosing between a perfume or an eau de toillete, to learning whether you should layer, there are many choices to consider when shopping for a fragrance.
But choosing a signature scent doesn't have to be difficult. Jan Moran, the creator of the Sephora Fragrance Finder by Scentsa, a touch-screen technology that helps shoppers find and learn about perfume, offers the following tips:

- Know your scents. Scents are typically grouped into five categories -- floral, fresh, spicy and warm, woody and earthy, and brisk aromatics. Different scent groups appeal to different personalities.  For example, fresh scents, which include citrus, aquatic and fruit aromas, speak to a sunny personality, while woody and earthy fragrances can seem soothing and calm. Sephora's Scentsa offers  a "Discover Your Signature Scent Style Quiz," which can help you determine what scents will best appeal to you.

"With more than 500 new fragrances launched each year, you really have to be educated to find a scent that works for you," says Moran. "Scentsa's touch-screen application features current information on more than 6,000 fragrances, so it helps customers find confidence when shopping."
- Try fragrance wardrobing. Once you know what scents you like, change your perfume for different occasions, moods and climates. Choose rich scents during the winter and lighter fragrances for summer. Relax with vanilla and lavender, energize with rose and tuberose.

- Choose a fragrance strength. Perfume is the most intense form of fragrance,  followed by eau de parfum, eau de toilette and eau de cologne. Intensity, however, does not mean that the scent will be bold and strong, only that it will last longer on your skin.

- Apply fragrance at your pulse points. Your pulse points are behind your ears, at your throat and the nape of the neck, in the decolletage (collar), on your wrists, in the crook of your elbow, behind your knees and on your ankles. Spray fragrance for a more even application.

- Store your fragrance correctly. For maximum shelf life, store fragrances in a cool, dry place with the cap tightly secured. Keep fragrances away from direct sunlight.

Find out more about the Sephora Fragrance Finder by Scentsa by visiting your local Sephora store.

5 Tips for Getting Your Life Back On Track -- After Taking a Wrong Turn

We’ve all experienced moments in our life when we hear ourselves say “YES” to a job, person or situation we know deep in our heart isn’t right for us. And still we do it. As soon as “yes” leaves our lips somewhere in us we hear a voice that screams “NO! Don’t do it!” but somehow another part of us kicks in and our mind overrules the wisdom of our body and we find ourselves on a path we never intended.

Sometimes these wrong turns can be detrimental to our wellbeing. They cause stress and put us in danger of losing ourselves indefinitely. Other times we immediately realize our “yes” has led to an “o-oh” and we decide right then and there to go back to the beginning and start again.

Either way, when you find yourself in a sticky situation, only you have the power to declare you took a wrong turn and only you can decide when it’s time to get back on track. These tips may help.

Be honest with yourself. Admit, as quickly as possible, you made a choice that led you down the wrong path. Nothing will change until you personally acknowledge the decision you made isn’t working for you. The sooner, the better. Be willing to take 100% responsibility for the choices you make for your life.

Plan an exit strategy. Once you’ve admitted to yourself you’re on the wrong path, decide how you’re going to get back on track. In some situations it may be necessary for you to stop what you’re doing immediately. Most of the time, a fast exit may lead to even more stress and poor decision making. Take the time you need to get very clear on what it is you do want, and get back on track one step at a time.

Be gentle with yourself. Beating yourself up will only damage your self esteem. Realize everyone takes wrong turns – even the most successful individuals take several wrong turns before getting it right. Remember, life is ten percent how we make it and ninety percent how we take it.

Look for the lesson. There are no mistakes and there’s always a lesson to be learned – and even a blessing. What did taking a wrong turn teach you about yourself? Do you need to listen to your gut more and others less? Do you need to finally listen to your heart and follow its calling? Do you need to value yourself more? Do you need to redefine what success means to you?

Do better next time. Life is full of second chances. Be willing to take them! Let go of the past and commit to do whatever it takes to get back on the right track. The wisdom you’ve gained from taking a wrong turn will help you do better next time.

There’s only one way to live life on your right track. Listen to your heart. It holds the secret to your happiness and the key to your success.

Copyright 2006 Cari Vollmer

How to Promote and Develop Self-esteem

Self esteem is a key component of our basic human needs. The way we perceive ourselves has a profound effect on how we choose to live our lives. Your level of self esteem has a great effect on your thoughts, feelings and emotions. The development of our self-esteem is moulded by our experiences with other people. Our level of self esteem tends to constantly fluctuate.  

 What steps can you take to promote and develop your self esteem?   The first step is to learn to engage in strong and rewarding relationships. In this article, I will aim to break down the two key relationships that you must learn to develop in order to promote a high level of self worth.   

Key relationship one - your relationship with yourself.

• Nobody likes other people talking about them in a negative way. Why then, would you choose to say nasty things about yourself? It is vital to start thinking about the way you talk both to yourself and about yourself. Start to believe and talk to yourself in a positive way.  
• High self esteem can never be given to you by other people. You need to have the desire to improve your self esteem for yourself.  
• Learn to take credit for your achievements. Do not simply brush them off as chance or luck.  
• Try this simple exercise. It will only take a couple of minutes a day. I want you to stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself. I want you to tell yourself that you are a beautiful and unique individual. You have thoughts and opinions that are just as valid as the next person. Do this every morning without fail. After just thirty days it will become a healthy and worthwhile habit!    

 Key relationship two - your relationships with others. 

·        It is vital for our well being to learn to nurture rewarding friendships.    Everybody likes to make friends and feel valued.

·        You can cultivate new friends at any age.   Try to join in a conversation with other people. You are an important member of any team. You have more of an effect on others than you realise. Do not be afraid to start the conversation.

·        Remember to smile :-) If you are friendly and chatty, people are more likely to gravitate towards you.  

·        Try to be open, friendly and kind towards other people. However, do not be afraid to say no. People with low levels of self-esteem are more likely to get talked into something that they do not really want to do.

·        Learn to take a compliment. Smile and say thank you. Start to pay compliments to other people. Words cost nothing. However, they have the power to make or break your day.  

·        Avoid situations or people that make you feel badly about yourself. 

   In order to change, we must first learn to take responsibility for our actions. It will take time to learn how to develop a higher level of self-esteem. Change is not easy but it is possible. By learning to communicate effectively with yourself, it will become easier to develop your self esteem. This will have the knock on effect of helping to improve the way you communicate with others.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/how-to-promote-and-develop-self-esteem-1326861.html

About the Author: Heather Maceachern

For more information on how to promote and develop your self esteem, visit  www.discover-self-confidence.com

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