Valentine's Day - Romance with Zing without the Cha-ching!

I promised you all a blog that would give you ideas to live in the real world and live the life you want while you re-design your money attitudes.

Well, here we go! Let's look at some awesome ways to have your relationship pick up a little heat for these cold February nights with your honey-bunny!

To tell the truth, I'm not a big celebrator (is this a word?) of V-day in the traditional sense. "Why?" you ask skeptically...For one thing, it just never seemed right that dead flowers - yes, sorry, when you separate them from the bush, they're gone - should cost twice as much on the 14th of February as they do on any other day of the year. Isn't great when your gift keeps on giving?

And, this is the deal-breaker for me, what part of ordering roses online, dictating the card, and, someone else delivering them is the part exemplifying me as "the" soulmate? Don't we all deserve that special touch to let us know we're working on the same goal?

Well, dudes and dudettes, I found this great article on Yahoo! Food in the "Foxy Festivities" blog (Elycia Rubin & Rita Mauceri, 2.06.2009) bringing real romance back to life! Here's some of the tips they suggest:

"Get Crafty Make a homemade card or collage, design a T-shirt at the copy shop with an inside joke, or log onto Snapfish or iPhoto and design a do-it-yourself photo album -- it's fun to create and affordable, too.

Mix It Up Make a mixed CD of favorite songs. This is a gift that carries a lot of weight. It's thoughtful and requires some decent time to make it -- brownie points for you!

Woo Chez Vous Invite your loved one to your place for a perfect evening in. Make pasta together, grill steaks and potatoes, or just order in a pizza, open a bottle of tasty wine, and light lots of candles. Afterwards cuddle up on the sofa and watch a movie over a pint of decadent ice cream with a shared spoon. What could be better? Remember, V-Day doesn't have to be fancy.

Go Sweet 'n' Sexy Sure, buy her lingerie. Most women will love it. But stick with sweet little somethings and avoid the satin cheesy stuff. You can't miss with soft cotton chemises, a few pairs of Hanky Panky panties, or a sexy silk robe. Include a little canister of the Laundry's Finest, so she can clean her new unmentionables with a gentle organic wash. That will show that this gift is as much for her as it is for you.

Book 'Em Books are always a great give -- personal, thoughtful, and classy. Inscribe a sweet note in it, and you'll win someone's heart for sure. Our current faves: for guys, Malcolm Gladwell's latest, The Outliers; and for gals, The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. "

Of course, you can be as inventive as you like; there are no limits! Just remember, the day is about a celebration of the people you love...whatever you do to bring a greater value and deeper connection in your relationship to your loved ones is what counts!

I wish you all Peace Love and Abundance! Happy Valentine's Day!

See you next week!

Jax