Personalized Valentine's gifts

If you’re looking for a gift that’s a little more personalized and says what you want it to say instead of limited messages, then Personalization Mall is for you.

There are all kinds of products to choose from to express your love for your special Valentine.

Some of the gifts include:

Personalized Frames

Choose from wood, acrylic, marble, sterling silver, canvas and more

Love Letter

Engraved on a Lucite Heart You write the message from your heart and it'll be engraved forever on the sculpted heart.

Candy Jar of Chocolate Hershey's Kisses®
You write the love messages etched in 7 hearts.

Your Personal Love Letter Inside A Bottle
Write a love letter for your Valentine. It'll be scrolled onto parchment paper and tied with a red ribbon. Your love letter will then be corked into a bottle.

Personalized Canvas Art
You and your Valentine - Your names written in the sand in this artwork.

Chocolate Body Paint
French chocolate with a gold seal lid using your customized message.


Personalized gift – Perfect Valentine

For Him

For Her

Biltmore House - Valentine's Day romantic rendezvous

If you've never been to the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, then Valentine's Day is the perfect time to go.

Here's what the Bilmore has in store for you and your Valentine:

"Biltmore provides the ideal location for romance with Biltmore House, a stunning French Renaissance chateau built in the late 1800s, as a backdrop; spectacular gardens and woodlands perfect for leisurely strolls as well as horse and carriage rides; a winery, the most visited in the U.S., where guests can purchase sparkling wine for that special toast; and a 213-room inn with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, gourmet dining and luxurious accommodations.On Sat., Feb. 16, guests can dance to live music from the band Emporium, and enjoy a delicious dinner at Biltmore's Deerpark Restaurant Wine and Roses Dinner, or savor an intimate four-course dinner at Bistro, located adjacent to the Winery. If guests are interested in extending their stay, Inn on Biltmore Estate is offering a Romantic Getaway package:"Romantic Getaway PackageEverything from champagne to candlelit dinner.

Included:

• Accommodations
  
• Valet parking
  
• Estate admission for the length of your stay
  
• Estate transportation
  
• Audio tour of Biltmore House
  

Plus:

• Champagne delivered to your room after check-in
• Chef's breakfast buffet daily or breakfast delivered to your room
• Dinner daily in The Dining Room or Bistro, gratuities and alcoholic beverages not included.

Reservations can be made online .

For more info: Sally's books are Romantica™ fiction and can be purchased directly from her publisher

A Green Valentine's Day

Looking for a Valentine's treat that is unique and helps promote green? You can do this while pampering your sweetie with a luxurious romantic getaway packages at Portland, Oregon’s Avalon Hotel & Spa.
The Pacific Northwest’s greenest hotel, The Avalon, invites guests to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul with packages including everything from:

• Gourmet Chocolates
• One Dozen Roses
• Four-Course Italian Wine Paired Meals
• 3 Hour Couples Spa Treatments.

Avalon Hotel & Spa is the Pacific Northwest’s first USGBC LEED certified existing hotel building - the second in the World.

The Avalon provides luxurious accommodations in a sustainable fashion.
Part of the Avalon green:

• Recycling bins in every room
• Offers preferred parking to guest arriving in hybrid vehicles
• Powers all hotel vehicles with biodiesel
• Pampering packages including Valentine’s Is Not Always for Two and Cupid’s Couple Spa
• Package are sure to appeal to the environmentally-conscious and luxury-seeking traveler alike.

Valentine’s Day Special Accommodation Packages:

One Night Valentine's Package:
This one-night accommodation package features a four-course dinner for one at Aquariva Italian Kitchen, a glass of Prosecco Italian Champagne, a 35 percent discount coupon for spa treatments, complimentary parking, and late checkout at 2 p.m.

Two Night Valentine’s Package:
This two-night accommodation package features a Friday, February 13, 2009, four-course dinner for two. Saturday then features three hours of relaxation treatments at the Spa, a complimentary bottle of wine in the room, overnight parking, and late checkout at 2 p.m.

Everlasting Love:
This one-night accommodation package features a three-course dinner for two at Aquariva Italian Kitchen, a box of chocolates, a dozen roses, and a bottle of wine in room upon arrival, complimentary parking, and late checkout at 2 p.m.

Cupid’s Couple Spa Package:
This one-night accommodation package features a couples aromatherapy massage, a box of chocolates, a dozen roses, and a bottle of wine in room upon arrival, complimentary parking, and late checkout at 2 p.m.

Imagine Me & You:
This one-night accommodation for two package features a three course dinner for two at Aquariva Italian Kitchen, a couples aromatherapy massage, rose petals, a box of chocolates, and a bottle of wine, complimentary parking, and late checkout at 2 p.m.

Avalon Hotel & Spa

For more info: Sally's books are Romantica™ fiction and can be purchased directly from her publisher.

Jaded Valentine

Does jaded describe how you feel about Valentine’s Day? Perhaps you've had so many Valentine's Day celebrations that you've become rather jaded. Don't worry; you can still recapture that special feeling on this special day

Maybe you’ve allowed all the negative aspects of the economy to sour you on one of the most romantic days of the year. If you think having a special night out with a romantic dinner is a waste of time and money, then look in the mirror. That is the image of a jaded Valentine frowning back at you.

There is hope for you, however. You don’t have to stay in that sour state of mind and drag your poor Valentine down with you. Make a change. Start with the way you look. Treat yourself to a makeover. Buy a new dress. Get excited about life again and rediscover the romance of Valentine’s Day.

This is the perfect romantic day to infuse new romance into your love life. Don’t just sit at home and pout. Take control. While it’ll take a little effort, it could be the best Valentine’s gift you ever gave your sweetheart and of course, yourself.

Attitude makes a difference

It’s all about your attitude. You’ll need to change the way you think and the way you express your thoughts, but that’s easy if you get outside that dark cynical mood about love and romance. It's all about expectations. Most people are disappointed when things don't meet their expectations. Suspend your expectations this Valentine's Day and just go for the fun and romance.

One thing about negative thoughts is they love company. So refuse to give in to the tired old attitude that people are just going through the motions, because most of them aren’t when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s with their baby. People like to get dressed up and go out for a special dinner and evening of romance because it’s not something they do every day. That's what makes it a special time as a couple. You can rediscover that joy once more. It just takes a little attitude adjustment.

Your lover will certainly appreciate your efforts and who knows, you may even find yourself smiling and enjoying a very special romantic evening. Happy Valentine’s Day.


*For more info: Sally's books are Romantica™ fiction and can be purchased directly from her publisher

Venice: City of love and romance

A trip to Venice is the ultimate romantic getaway and a perfect place to spend Valentine's Day. Imagine you and your lover gliding through the canals in a gondala.

Carnival

Februrary 13 thru 24

The famous Carnival begins the day before Valentine's Day and lasts until February 24. You can probably still get a booking by going to some of the travel auction sites or contact your travel agent. Last minute deals are always available.

Venice Connected: New Tourist Service

An inventive new service is now available to visitors. On February 1, the City of Venicelaunched a new website called, Venice Connected. This portal allows visitors to the city to plan their trip beyond the usual hotel, restaurant and touristattraction.

It gives you the opportunity to purchase in advance the services you might not consider in the budgeting of your trip.In addition to assisting the visitors, this online purchase center allows the city government to plan for the actual number of tourists for any given day or week. This means greater efficiency and a smoother trip for you

Here’s how it works:

You will first register on the site. Once you have your username and password set up, you’ll access the services area.

You select the first day of your stay in Venice and then choose what services you’d like to have included in your trip.

These services include:

Public Transport
Museums
Toilet Services
Car Parking In The Municipal Garage

Why bother to book these online? Because they are cheaper than when you buy them after you arrive in the city.

Prices fluctuate depending on the time of year. A brief guideline is given about the pricing:

Low/Medium season
Cheapest online price

Medium/High Season
Medium online price

Peak
Higher online price

*In order to get online prices, you must book at least 15 days before your arrival.

Be sure to read the description of each service as well as its terms and conditions so you’ll know what you are purchasing.

Each service selection requires you enter the date of service and will go in your shopping cart.

You’ll receive a voucher via email with a unique code (PNR) along with a summary of the services you purchased. You will need to print out the voucher and bring it with you on your trip. If you lose your voucher, you can always access it again online.

Live Webcams of Venice

There are four webcams set up throughout the city. While they are not the best cams, you can still get a glimpse of your destination. You'll need to refresh with F5 to advance the frames.

Venice Webcams

Calendar of Events

You can click on a calendar of events to help you plan your trip.


Venice Connected



**For more Valentine's Day ideas visit Sally at Romance Examiner

Cheap roses - best kept Valentine's secret

So the economy has you reconsidering spending those bucks on roses for your sweetheart? Money is tight and most of us have to consider our expenditures more than we did this time last year. Stop. Have you considered alternatives? All that's required is an adjustment to your shopping mentality.

So before you nix the roses consider one of the best kept secrets in the flower giving world – the grocery store florist.

Wait. Before you turn your nose up, consider the economics of this alternative. Admittedly, It might not be as glamorous as your past flower giving, but buying roses from the grocery store will allow you to still give your sweetheart that dozen red roses.

Two Options:
You have two options when you shop at the grocery store florist. You can purchase a bouquet arranged in a vase or you can buy the roses wrapped in plastic and arrange the bouquet yourself.

Most grocery store florists provide bouquets of arranged flowers at a fraction of the cost you typically pay at a floral shop.

Arrangement Vs. Bouquet
An arrangement at the grocery store will cost more than the bouquet wrapped in plastic and sitting in the cooler, but it's still cheaper than what you'd pay ordering through a floral shop.

If you're going to buy an arrangement for Valentine's from a grocery store, call to place an order, if you just walkin on Valentine's Day expecting to find an arrangement, you'll be disappointed. Make sure you get the price because even the grocery store florists' prices go up on Valentine's week - $3- $7 more. That's still a savings over a traditional florist.

Here are some of the current prices at local grocery stores for a dozen roses floral arrangement:

• $40.00


• $38.99


• $59.99

If your budget just can't take this price even at such a reduction, then consider buying a bouquet of roses that come wrapped in plastic and arranging them yourself, or getting a friend or family member to help you arrange them.

The cost will depend on what region of the country you live and from which grocery store you buy. Just add some baby's breath and/or greenery and you'll have a dozen red roses you'll be proud to give your Valentine.

A sampling from a few phone calls to local grocery stores for a dozen roses (not an arrangement):

• $12.99


• $15.99


• $21.99

You can expect to pay $3 - $7 dollars more per dozen the week of Valentine's Day. Even so, this is still a great price for roses.

Add a nice vase and a few sprigs of baby breath and your cost will be between $20 - $30 for a bouquet of red roses in a vase.

Select healthy roses by avoiding those with darkened edges around the petals.
Don't have a clue how to arrange the flowers? That's the easy part.

• Select a vase and make sure the mouth isn't too wide. 3"-5" is a good diameter. The smaller the mouth the tighter the bouquet and easier it is to keep your flowers arranged.


• The height of your vase should be no less than 1/2 the height of the flowers. You don't want your vase to be top heavy and tip over.


• Fill the vase half-way with water and if it came with an extended-life packet of powder, then add the packet to prolong the life of your flowers.


• Divide the roses and set them in the vase. Try not to bruise or touch the buds.


• Place the baby's breath between the roses. The sprigs will help keep the roses separated.


• Next fill the vase with water, adding it from the rim of the vase and not the center of your arrangement. Let the water trickle down the inside of the vase. This method keeps from disrupting your arrangement and risking damage to the roses.


• Add a card and a bow and you're set to deliver your bouquet to your Valentine.

Still think you can't afford roses this year but want to give flowers? You can buy other flower bouquets at the grocery store florist section that will cost less than the roses.

Explore alternatives and other ways to save money while still having the kind of Valentine's Day you want. Just because the economy took a nosedive doesn't mean your romance has to follow.

Alternatives to roses:

• Potted plant


• Pansies repotted in a nice flower pot

For the gardener:

• Gazing globe


• Garden art


• Stepping stones


• Tabletop water fountain

Just use your imagination and think outside your normal shopping mindset. And, remember, Valentine's Day is not about the gifts. It's about the romance!

Read other articles by Sally

For more info: Sally's books are Romantica™ fiction and can be purchased directly from her publisher

Ready for Romance - Valentine's Day Gift

It's not too early to start planning for your evening of romance. What makes Valentine's Day so special?

Some people think it's because of the excuse to get dressed up to go out with your most beloved while some think it's just a commercial excuse to get you to spend more money.

I prefer to think of it as the first reason. I've had many special Valentine's Day romantic evenings and weekends that were pure fantasy and abundant in romance. Attitude seems to be the determining factor of whether you have a wonderful Valentine's or if you become a jaded valentine. Sniff. Isn't that the way it is with most things romantic? It's all about your attitude and how you feel about the person you are with. If you're in love then you probably jump at any chance to show your lover how you feel. Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse even for those who have a difficult time expressing their feelings.

Whatever you do to celebrate this special day with your special someone, remember that it's not so much what you do but that you take the time to spend it with your lover. Those moments all add up and create a strong basis for your relationship for the times when those bonds will be tested in the future. Cherishing each other is something each of us needs to take the time to do. Romance is not just for special days of love's celebration. Romance is for every day.

Gifts are things we give to show others that we appreciate them and care. I'm participating in the Ellora's Cave's new FREE READS called Naughty Nooners launches February 16, and one of my free reads, LAP DANCE will be given away starting on that day. I hope you'll enjoy it. Be sure and drop me an email and let me know what you think about it!

Here’s a little teaser:

“That’s it, now grind your hips,” Cat Ramey’s best friend coached her.

“Grind my hips? Are you crazy? I haven’t even sat down in his lap, yet.”

The man sitting in the chair laughed. It was a deep baritone sound that reminded her of warm sultry nights. She’d introduced herself after Pam had approached him to participate in their video.

She felt his stare moving over her and regretted letting Pam talk her into the provocative skimpy costume. Stiffening her spine, Cat met his dark gaze. Her pulse spiked.

“Get on with it, will you?” Pam whispered.

She turned to her best friend. “You have no idea how silly I feel, Pam. “I’m never going to be able to do this.” She turned to leave.

“Dammit, Cat.” Pam grabbed her by the forearm. “You want to win the contest or not?”

Her friend dragged her over to the alcove near the bar, her brown eyes narrowing into an angry squint.

She’d hated that look ever since the first time she’d seen it in kindergarten.

“You’ve accomplished four of the challenges. This is the last one and you have to do a better job than anyone else to ensure you win. You have to put your heart into this.

Pretend he’s your boyfriend. I don’t care what you have to do to make it real, but make it real.”
She glanced back. The nightclub was loud. The dimly lit club was filled with brilliant, strobe light, colors flashing around them. “I can’t do this. People are gathering around―”

“Yeah, it’s a club where lap dances are done. Duh! Come on, you’ve come too far to give up now.
Think about how much you want to go back to college. You can become the doctor you were going to be before your mom…well, you were a good daughter, Cat. You quit to take care of her. Now it’s your time. Stay focused on the prize and what it means to you. You’re going to win the car so you can get back to your classes. So suck it up and sit in that guy’s lap.”

“Grant,” Cat said. “His name is Grant Evanston.”

“Whatever, go lap dance your heart out just the way you practiced.”

Stiffening her spine, Cat took a deep breath, before turning back to the handsome man still watching her. His blue eyes were like magnets and latched onto her gaze.

The crowd clapped when she returned and sexy Grant opened his arms wide in a greeting.
“Come on, Cat, I’ll be good. I promise,” he said, giving her a wicked grin.

She closed her eyes. This was the most humiliating challenge yet. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to the knowing look moving over his handsome face.

“This is not personal,” she said.

“Wanna bet?” he asked with a deep chuckle.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!