Just like most women, I love getting dressed up and going out for dinner, but not really on Valentine’s Day. My favorite way to celebrate the occasion is to stay home and cook, believe it or not and rent a few mushy films and watch them while munching on popcorn and drinking champagne.
Here are some of my favorite films for this year. They are mostly available through online rental or for a few bucks at a local megastore (i.e. Target)
Valentine’s Day, of course, is around the corner and here are some of my favorite fun or sexy dresses to wear from here for the occasion.
Unique gift ideas for the woman over 40 is sometimes challenging when the person you are shopping for has various self conscious issues. To play it safe, I have complied some gift ideas from here, which I feel are pretty low key even for the most conservative woman you have ever known.
1. Jimmy Choo Sepia two tone pumps 850USD
2. Gucci 1973 leather bag 850USD
3. Yves Saint Laurent Arty Gold plated earings 495USD
4. ACNE Pistol suede ankle boots 570USD
5. Miu Miu I-Pod case 150USD
6. Tara Matthews hand embelished swimsuit 495USD
7. Nixon Chromo watercolor Sterling silver watch 450USD
8. Maison Martin Margiela distressed suede boots 855USD
9. Illesteva sunglasses 295USD
10.Anya Hindmarch glitter clutch 550USD
11.Alexander McQueen Leopard Cashmere silk blend scarf 725USD
12.John Hardy Sterling silver and saphire ring 895USD
Posted in greeting cards, papyrus cards, romance and love, valentines day
Tagged love and romance, romance and love, valentine
Keeping in line with the Valentine’s Day theme and also with my Italy obsession for 2011, I decided to include a boutique luxury hotel, (which I recommend by the way), located in the heart of Verona, Italy.
In case there are a handful of people who are wondering what Verona has to do with Valentine’s Day theme, well I am here to tell you that Verona is not only one of the most romantic cities in the world, but it is also the hometown of Juliet, from Romeo and Juliet (just in case I wasn’t clear enough). Of course their story goes without saying, but just in case I need to clarify, it is the most famous love story ever told by William Shakespeare and many tourist go to Verona just to pay homage to that fact.
What’s so interesting is that this particular property shares a courtyard with Juliet’s house. In fact, it has a view of the famous balcony where Romeo expressed his undying love and devotion to Juliet.
The hotel is called Il Sogno Di Giulietta. ( Juliet’s Dream) and although the courtyard is a tourist trap during the day, at night the gates are closed to the public so that the guests could have their privacy. So if you appreciate the renaissance period as much as I do and want to give your partner the ultimate romantic vacation, surprise her this Valentine’s Day with a travel dossier containing a week’s trip to Verona, Italy and a stay at Il Sogno De Giulietta, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed. Have a great weekend!
Now, I saved the best for last, well at least from where I am sitting. Dinner and a movie suggestion for a romantic evening at home is ideal in every sense of the word, if done right.
This suggestions would be best if, those with children, are able to find a sitter away from home and if one partner can surprise the other with it.
Rent a couple of the movies I have suggested above or others that you think are in line with a love story/romantic theme. Contact your local purveyor of fine foods or a restaurant to order a steak or seafood dinner for two. I prefer Dean and DeLuca’s Valentine’s Day Meal from their menu here . They also carry a large selection of champagne as well as sparkling wine or wines in general so it makes the planning easier.
Organize the living room or family room (wherever the television is) for the setting. Setting up the center coffee table with candles, flowers and fine china is ideal place to eat, while sitting on a bunch of pillows.
Just keep in mind some of the films have not yet been converted to blue ray or whatever new DVD type gadget there are out there, so order the films accordingly
Posted in anniversary gift ideas, champagne, chocolate, decorating ideas, Eat, Fantasy, flowers and romantic gestures, gourmet cooking, inspiration, romance and love, romantic getaways, valentines day
Tagged anniversary celebration, healthy eating, marriage and romance, midlife, romance and love, sexy, valentines day, valentines day gift ideas
Cliche you might say, but couples over 40 tend to mostly dream or talk about a spa day, more so than actually do something about it. Either because, they are too busy or just, don’t consider to include it in their budget.
So don’t laugh when I suggest a couples spa day as a Valentine’s Day gift for one another. Either the weekend before or on the actual day – again depending on work and kids. For example, just outside of San Francisco, in Napa and Sonoma county we have dozens of spas ranging in price and techniques to consider. And although we have them all over the bay area, for some reason I feel on this special occasion, it is more romantic to go to the wine country and have a spa day then just around the corner from where I live.
However, planning for this day takes alot of work. A partner has to be willing to take the time to research and organize it in order to surprise their loved ones properly. Believe me the benefits from the spa day is most rewarding, especially before an s amazing dinner at a restaurant in the area (Napa or Sonoma in this case).
I have included a link here for your consideration (if you happen to be from the bay area) otherwise, I would love to hear from anyone with a list of suggestions from their part of the world.
Most people in their 40s have children or teenagers and since February 14th falls on a school and a work day, the fun of celebrating the holiday usually takes a back seat to soccer practice and piano lessons and work. So, I suggest celebrating it on Saturday or Sunday the 12th or the 13th instead just to get the most out of the holiday.
Again, these suggestions can be considered for birthdays and anniversaries as well.
First: Make arrangements for a reliable sitter on either day you want to surprise your spouse or loved one with children.
Second: Clear your partner’s calendar for the day – make sure you pick the day with the least pre-arranged appointments for the children and their school events.
Third: Organize a slew of events or activities for the two of you to do for the entire day – this could be an entire day spent in the country or a metropolitan city, depending on where you reside – do the opposite. For example for those living in the bay area, consider a day spent in downtown San Francisco sightseeing, having afternoon tea, a museum visit or a show or dinner and dancing and if all goes well, spend the night in a hotel downtown.
Fourth: Take her to places she has never been or a special place the two of you went on your first date for dinner.
Fifth: Buy her a special small gift (souvenir) from the place you decided to take her.
Sixth: Take a photo of the two of you in black and white and then frame it in a 4×6 silver frame. Then place it on her nightstand the night before Valentine’s Day, so that when she wakes up in the morning she could see it.
I really feel bad for everyone who gets caught up in the Valentine’s day madness. I mean, in my opinion, the true sense of romance should be ongoing and sometimes even when a person least expects it. That’s what makes it special and more personal. I guess that is why I appreciate birthdays and wedding anniversaries more.
But for all those people who get a kick out of planning for Valentine’s Day, I have decided to dedicate this entire week for some of my suggestions to take into account, while frantically searching for gifts and “interesting” things to do for/or with your loved one.
Take note, these suggestions also work for birthday and anniversary celebrations as well. So here we go with suggestion 1.
Every one loves getting flowers, unless of course they are allergic to them, but whether you believe it or not, most woman “over 40″ are okay with just getting flowers on Valentine’s Day. So, this year instead of giving the usual boring bouquet of over priced red roses (yawn) why don’t you consider putting several different shaped and sized vases with unique flowers throughout the house, where she most hangs out. For example: the night stand, the master bathroom sink or bathtub (if she enjoys taking a bath everyday), on the kitchen table or counter by the sink, next to her computer desk, on the coffee table next to where she usually sits at night to watch television and wherever else you think she would love to see flowers.
Anyway, you can actually place the vases the night before, after she goes to bed so that when she wakes the next morning (Valentine’s Day) she could be surprised with the thoughtful gifts of flower.
Now, a flower mart or farmer’s market is an amazing place to get different bouquets of flowers. Vases can be purchased from Pier 1 or Cost Plus or Target/Wallmart stores. But if you happen to have a “brown thumb” for this sort of thing, consider working with a florist to pull this off.
Here are some of my favorite suggestions to copy from:
