Why Valentine's Day Sometimes Really Does End in Bloodshed

To those who might find themselves assuming, some of these examples come from others, not just my own personal experiences:

Men are a strange beast.  Women are just a big jumble of emotional mess.  Women love Valentine's Day if they are with someone new, loathe Valentine's Day if they are with no one and resent Valentine's Day when they find themselves in a bitter point of life where they refuse to jump off the Titanic despite the fact it is clearly a sinking ship.

Men loathe Valentine's Day because they have to spend money... and lots of it.  If they only spend a little, they will look like cheapskates.  However, if they spend a bundle, it's never good enough.  Because all women want what they see in movies with rosepetal lined pathways and limos and hotel rooms with giant bathtubs and turn down service and chocolate covered strawberries.  Anything less is just a failed attempt at romance in their eyes.  And let's not get into the fact that 1 out of 5 marriage proposals happens on Valentine's Day.  And men, be prepared!  If you have been with a woman more than 8 months, she is secretly wondering about it.  Even though it might be the last thing on your mind, trust me, she is thinking it's a definite possibility.  And once a year has passed and countless Valentine's Days go buy without that bling bling ring, each Valentine's Day will mark another let down in her eyes.  No matter what you do, if there is not a ring, a little part of her soul dies.

Now what are my thoughts on Valentine's Day?  Well, I  have some people pondering this very thing.  Sure, I may seem like that whole, "I am woman, hear me roar" kind of thing, but let's face it- I AM a chick.  I'm a girlie girl in the worst possible way when it comes to romance, but apparently not when it comes to what I consider to be annoying gestures.

Honestly, I would be happy with an anonymously sent bouquet of flowers (white roses if you're interested).  Anonymous because I don't have to wonder about the intentions of the sender.  I don't have to wonder if they were sent as a meaningful gesture, if they were sent in hopes I'd think more highly of someone than I probably should or if they were sent merely from some obligatory ritualistic thought of what women want.

If you are someone that takes your phone with you into the shower because you don't want me to know who you text or who is texting you, then don't send me flowers.  If you are someone that gets angry because I spend too much time on my computer (which really isn't true) or because I'm addicted to my blackberry, don't send me flowers.  If you constantly talk to me about the rack on a chick at the bar BEFORE I comment on her rack, don't send me flowers.  If you eat lamb, veal or deer on a regular basis, don't send me flowers.  If you hunt, don't even acknowledge my existence.  But if you are someone who actually gives half a shit about my thoughts when I actually feel like sharing them with you and you don't fall under any of these categories, go ahead... even one rose would suffice!  I can be sappy when I want to be.  But don't ever sing songs to me in public and expect me to fake my way through not vomiting... cause I may be a sucker for romance, but I draw the line at public humiliation.

Now, if you are a woman who is with a man that cheats on you, you should expect nothing.  Because really, you're stupid.  If you choose to stay with someone that chooses not to hold you in their highest esteem shame on you.  But if you are only biding your time with them until someone better comes along, whatevs, just don't expect romance on Valentine's Day cause it's a sham.

And what should guys get for Valentine's Day?  Nothing.  Yeah, you heard me, nothing.  Everyone knows, but isn't willing to admit that Valentine's Day is actually Chick's Day.  No guy gives a crap and no girl gives good gifts.  All a guy really cares about on Valentine's Day is if their will be coitus involved.  Seriously.  Don't give him a card- not even a 99 cent one.

And what am I expecting this Valentine's Day?  Nothing.  Do I care?  I'll pretend I don't, but gestures do make the chick buried deep down inside me smile a bit.  You will know by my sour or sweet tweets around 10pm tomorrow night how that goes.

I'm definitely curious to see how real people wanna be in their comments on this...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Pure Romance Valentine's Review and Giveaway!!!

For Valentine's Day, why would you want to stick with a boring card and flowers (no offense to flowers!) when you can give something that people REALLY want?!  Whether you're single, newly married, oldly married, playing the field or in some crazy kind of monogamous and or polygamous relationship, everyone loves a little bit of fire in their romance!  Of course, the best gift anyone I know has gotten was tattooed flowers because they didn't die (Susan, you're so lucky)!  But the next best thing is something for the bedroom!

Guys can enjoy it, gals can enjoy it, give Pure Romance a whirl!


I was given several products to try myself and I have to admit, opening the box felt like Christmas and it was super cute wrapped in a pretty pink bow.  I will be honest, I'm most excited about the 7th Heaven Bullet, but the edible body powder sounds pretty fun too!  And everything is wrapped in such cute girly packages!  There are many products I never even knew existed... it's like Christmas!... but it's Valentine's Day.  Fun for everyone, lol!

"Pure Romance products resonate with women unlike any other in the category due to our commitment to educating women about their bodies and our products. The Pure Romance partnership with the Kinsey Institute, coupled with our curriculum developed by our Director of Sexual Health Education, means our 70,000 consultants are trained to provide the most helpful information and advice. Pure Romance doesn’t sell in stores because in-home parties offer women fun, private, peer-to-peer learning opportunities about romance, intimacy and sex.

This jobless recovery is taking its toll on families, however very often our Pure Romance consultants report that they are meeting or exceeding their income expectations. Sales have been recession-resistant. Pure Romance experienced a 37% increase in sales in 2010. Pure Romance also empowers women because they are able to take control of their sex lives, which can have an impact on quality of life."

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:


One incredibly lucky winner will be given a gift package courtesy of Pure Romance!   Giveaway will end at noon on February 19th and winner will be notified.  Must be 18 and older and a US resident to enter!  Winner will be drawn at random.


Prize pack includes:

Mini Nights of Passion

Pure Romance’s most popular products in one convenient collection! Mini Nights of Passion variety pack allows you to enjoy a bottle of Aura, Ex-T-Cee, Excape, Sensations and Sweet Seduction — the ultimate combination for romantic nights away from home.

Directions

As noted on individual bottles.

Features

Perfect sampler pack; great for travelers and personal shower gifts. 
Includes one bottle each of: Aura (Seductive Sage), Ex-T-Cee (Strawberry), Excape (Island Breeze), Sensations (Strawberry), Sweet seduction (Original)

AURA

Aura Massage Oil is a sensory heightening massage oil that contains a specially formulated blend of essential oils and herbal extracts chosen for skin softening benefits and non-greasy, non-sticky qualities. Each scent is pleasant and perfect for a deep, sensual, erotic massage. EUCALYPTUS MINT OR SEDUCTIVE SAGE

Directions

Apply moderately and evenly over the area to be massaged.

Features

• Pleasantly scented and formulated with a blend of essential oils and herbal extracts chosen for their history of dermal benefits and non-greasy feel.
• Can be heated briefly (15-20 seconds) for a warm massage.
• Moisturizes and conditions skin.
• Massage is a great form of foreplay that can help increase arousal

Ex-T-Cee

Sometimes, ladies, we’re just not in the mood. Ex-T-Cee arousal cream to the rescue! This wonderfully scented, flavored arousal cream was specially formulated to stimulate and excite. Air activates the mint base to provide exciting, arousing sensations and increase blood flow in just the right spot. Ex-T-Cee is perfect for first time users! 1 oz. $15
COTTON CANDY, PEPPER MINT PATTY OR STRAWBERRY

Directions

Apply a pea-sized amount to the clitoris to increase sensitivity during the state of escalating arousal.

Features

• This edible arousal cream is designed specifically for a woman.
• Ex-T-Cee is formulated with a pleasure-tingle mint compound that acts as a cooling stimulant, causing greater sensation and sensitivity in the clitoral area.
• Great for oral favors.
•  Recommended arousal cream for first-time female users.
• Mint oil based.  
• Up to three months’ worth of use.

Escape

Share a shower with your partner and feel a million miles away! Indulge in a bath or shower filled with pheromone-infused bubbles to spice up foreplay and tone down stress. Your own mini getaway awaits…just open the bottle! Especially gentle and sensually scented, the specialized formula leaves skin soft and sexy compliments of real California pink champagne, ginseng, and vitamins E and B. Also safe for hot tubs and Jacuzzis. 8 oz. $15.00
Island Breeze, Plumeria and Mangosteen

Directions

Pour a capful under running water or on the Pulsa Bath Ball for a lather-rich bath or shower

 Features

• Use as a part of pampering routine in bath or shower 
• Pheromones in formula are natures natural attractant 
• Safe for drains and hot tubs
• Contains real California pink champagne
• Contains pheromones

 SENSATIONS

Sensations lubricant starts cool, warms up, and finishes hot! Out of the bottle, Sensations feels cool on the skin. Add a little friction, and the lubricant warms. Give a gentle blow, and the air activated formula delivers exciting heat! Sensations is available in mouthwatering flavors or flavorless Original. Safe with polyurethane condoms. 4 oz. $15
CANDY APPLE, HOT BUTTERED RUM, KINKY COCOA, ORIGINAL, PEPPERMINT PATTY, SPICE IS NICE AND STRAWBERRIES AND WHIPPED CREAM

Directions

To use Sensations, use a dime-sized amount for small body massage, oral favors, and other foreplay activities. It is best to use a small amount of Sensations at first and then add more later to avoid stickiness.

Features

• This playful lubricant gets warm when you rub it and hot when you blow on it.
•  Available in a number of exciting flavors derived from natural ingredients.
• Can be used for oral favors and lovemaking.
• Sugar free.
• Safe to use with polyurethane condoms.
• Up to four months’ worth of product.

 Sweet Seduction

Slip into Sweet Seduction lubricant! This silky, slippery, water based lubricant flows generously to prepare your pleasure zones for a blissfully comfortable experience, whether you’re having fun with a partner or a toy. The lubricant is made of high quality ingredients that are long lasting and provide a mild, naturally sweet taste. 4 oz. $15
SWEET MINT, ORIGINAL OR VANILLA

Directions

To use Sweet Seduction, squeeze a dime-sized amount of the product onto the fingers and apply either to the vagina, onto the toy, or onto a partner’s penis prior to sexual activity (more lubricant can always be added as needed).

Features

• Water-soluble lubricant.
• Premium ingredients give naturally sweet taste.
• Safe to use with latex condoms and bedroom toys.
• Slippery and long lasting.
• Does not stain.
• All-natural ingredients.
• Original formula is fragrance free.
• Approximately three months’ worth of product.

To enter:

 1) Follow Pure Romance AND myself on Twitter.  Post below letting me know you have done both.

2) Visit Pure Romance's website and tell me which product you think is one you'd like to try the most. 

3) Tell me what your favorite Valentine's gift has been or your favorite Valentine's Day memory.

Good luck!!

The products in this post were provided to me for review and giveaway purposes courtesy of Pure Romance and in cooperation with Global Influence.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Masquerade

After the reaction my son had the first time he saw Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I have become a loyal fan! Therefore, any DVD that comes out is a must have!

If you're unfamiliar with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, it's one of the staples on Playhouse Disney and is geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. Both my kids love it. I think it's very educational. Kids learn letters, numbers, colors, vocabulary, but don't realize it because the show is so fun!

"Parents and their preschoolers are invited to join in the ultimate masquerade party with Minnie, Mickey and pals in a fun-filled collection of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse latest episodes that celebrate themes of friendship, teamwork, sharing and problem solving. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade is the perfect gift to dress-up your Valentine’s Day, available on Disney DVD February 8 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

This latest release features four playful Minnie-themed adventures previously seen on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse TV show, a never-before-seen episode, and a free paper mask with festive embellishments that kids can personalize. And as a special option for consumers, Disney has packaged a version of the DVD to include the exclusive Mickey Mote – a child-friendly handheld remote control, shaped like Mickey ears, that takes children’s viewing experience to a whole new level of play. The DVD + Mickey Mote Play Set is the ultimate value for moms and equally fun and engaging for kids! The Mickey Mote uses infrared wireless technology and may not be compatible with all devices.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade starring Disney’s Fab Five — Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Daisy – takes viewers on an all new adventure as they dress-up in their favorite costumes for Minnie’s Masquerade Ball. In this episode, Minnie needs some help getting everything ready for her party including making royal crowns for their costumes, searching for Sir Goofalot’s lost shoe, stringing up paper lanterns and much, much more. At the ball, Professor Von Drake hosts the great Clubhouse Costume Show and gives out prize ribbons to all the friends who have dressed up in some funny and fancy costumes. All it takes is a heaping helping of imagination…and the right Mouseketools.

About Disney’s Exclusive Mickey Mote:

Disney’s Mickey Mote works with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode™ feature – an interactive “Watch & Play” feature on the DVD. All parents have to do is program the remote control – there’s an easy and quick set-up guide in each DVD- and select the Discovery Mode feature on the menu screen. Within minutes, kids will be easily responding to questions, throughout the story, about scenes they just watched by pressing one of four color-coded buttons on the device — a yellow star, green circle, orange triangle or blue square – to click in their responses. Discovery Mode features include two levels of play, which provides more challenging questions as the child grows.

The Mickey Mote can be used with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode feature. To date there are more than 11 titles that can be used with the remote control, just take a look at the back of the package to make sure."

Family Time Factor:  Mostly enjoyed by kids 8 and under, but more geared towards toddlers and preschoolers.  (Although my preschooler snubbed her nose at it.)

MOTR Grade: B+

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Masquerade is now available on DVD!!!

Disney Movie Rewards currently has a $5 off coupon for the Mickey Mote and DVD Play Set!

Alice in Wonderland 60th Anniversary Blu-Ray Review

For years I have been dying to figure out what the movie is that has Alice going through a mirror and there's a dragon with it.  It's got to be like at least 20 years old and for the life of me I can't figure it out!  Seriously, it drives me batty.  But, there I go starting with a tangent.  Back to the blu-ray at hand...

Walt Disney’s 1951 take on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland made its high def debut on Blu-ray Disc February 1st.  Alice in Wonderland is presented in 1080p high definition, with a  1:33:1 (4:3) aspect ratio.

The richness of the colors is crazy gorgeous!  Talk about a beautiful trip to be on!  Already a brilliantly animated film, the remasteredness of this edition is mind-blowing.  

Of course you know the story- a girl experiences a wild adventure full of crazy people, wild trips and experiences as she tries to figure out how to get back to the real world.  Will she lose her head?  I guess you will have to watch to find out!

Two English audio options are available on the BD: the original mono mix in Dolby Digital 2.0 and a new lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix. Both have been restored and sound excellent.

There are several brand-new features exclusive to the BD, like two expanded viewing modes, newly-discovered reference footage, and a short pencil test for the “Alice Shrinks” sequences. Classic extras from previous DVD releases can be found on the disc as well.

Family Time Factor:  Can be enjoyed by all ages!  Not my favorite Disney classic, but still worth the watch!

MOTR Grade: B+

Alice in Wonderland is currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray!!!

Secretariat Blu-Ray Review

I actually enjoy watching the Triple Crown, Belmont Stakes and you know... the other one.  Why?  Horses are fun and cute.  However, I do hate the way that they are worked to death, but my own personal demons aside, I went into this movie looking to learn a little about a famous horse.  And it was mildly like watching the History Channel... but not even as close to as fun!

Diane Lane plays Penny Chenery, mother of three. When her mother passes away and her father suffers a stroke, Penny flies to Virginia to save the family ranch. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s about to strike gold in the form of a new foal that miraculously stands merely minutes after being born.  Penny has no knowledge of the racing world, but forms a small team to help groom Secretariat into the horse that famously won the Triple Crown, breaking records that still haven’t been beaten to this day. She also faces adversity – sexism, and the struggle of not being with her family as her children grow up .

Those issues are not as deeply delved into as the story of the horse itself. Secretariat was a remarkable horse who won pretty much everything.  Unfortunately, this film does not do Secretariat the justice he deserves and instead of being an interesting back story, it is way too long and boring.

Blu-Ray features:

Disney has always made the most of the Blu-ray format, making Secretariat look and sound phenomenal. This Blu-ray is presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio with booming sound.

Special Features:

Heart of a Champion - The cast talks about what a great horse Secretariat was and all of his accomplishments. (14:56)

Choreographing the Races – The same guy who cast the horses in Seabiscuit, that other horse racing movie, cast the horses for Secretariat. (6:27)

A Director’s Inspiration: A Conversation with the Real Penny Chenery – By far the most intersting extra on this disc, director Randall Wallace (We Were Soldiers) sits down and gets reactions on scenes from the movie with the real Penny Chenery. She has some great stories to tell and she thought they were captured well in the film. (21:12)

Audio Commentary with Director Randall Wallace

Music Video – AJ Michalka “It’s Who You Are”

Secretariat Multi-Angle Simulation: Jockey – Michael Smith, an actual jockey, give insight into what his job entails (3:43); Reporter – Brad Free, who writes for the “Daily Racing Form”, talks about his job and how he picks the winners of races (5:09); Historian – Dennis Mills, the CEO of MI Developments, talks about designing racetracks (3:35); Spectator – Michael Calderone, CEO of Horse-racing Simulations, talks about his passion for horse-racing (4:14)

Actual Race – Footage from the actual race in 1973, when Secretariat won the Triple Crown. That year, he made the cover of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. (2:12)

Discover Blu-Ray 3-D with Timon and Pumbaa (4:23)

Family Time Factor:  Kids will find it boring, adults may want to watch it as a date movie, but will not probably find it that interesting...

MOTR Grade: C-

Secretariat is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray!!!

Post Holiday Wants

So now that the holidays are over, I have no reason to slack off.  Okay, maybe I do, but why is the holiday season so dang hectic?  Normally I don't expect anything for the holidays except money.  Cold hard cash pays the bills and that's what I want.  This year, though, I wanted a pogo stick.  And I got it.  I'm in love with it.

I love having this blog and the fun things that I get to review.  One of my favorite companies to blog for is CSN.  I know you've heard of them because you are on the internet and they are all over the web.  You go to one of their 200+ websites and you can get everything from high heeled shoes (like I have before) to a laptop messenger bag to a copper pot and everything in between.

I will be doing an upcoming review for them again, but have yet to decide what I will review.  Now that Christmas is over, it's more about what people didn't get and what they want to get for themselves.  With my upcoming move, I'm sure I will think of a million things I need.

Anyway, look for my upcoming review, but in the meantime- was there anything you didn't get over the holidays that you really were hoping for?