Relationship Savvy » Romance

Romance on a budget – enjoy the great outdoors

Jennifer — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:58:38 +0000

Moving your date outdoors is an affordable way to add romance.

(ARA) – Champagne, roses and chocolate-covered strawberries spell romance, but all can fade fast. A more innovative and enduring (not to mention budget-conscious) method for adding romance is to bring it outdoors. In fact, your own backyard can be a much more cost-effective and intimate date night.

When incorporating romance into the outdoors, remember a few key points. Generally, the same concepts that work for your home can also be applied to outdoor living spaces.

* The right lighting sets the mood. Gentle lighting, as opposed to harsh fluorescents, exudes romance. Bring indoor traditions like candelabras and miniature chandeliers outside to light your evenings, or hang diffused light via lanterns.

* Use existing furniture and decorate with romantic accessories that match the decor of your home and personality.

* Incorporate elements of fire and water through an outdoor fireplace, waterfall, pond or birdbath. The warmth and sounds will be sure to soothe.

* Outdoor curtains bring both privacy and romance. If your outdoor space is large, curtains help to define a romantic spot from those used for other purposes.

When bringing the indoors out, it is important to keep your climate in mind. Some climates offer year-round comfort. “In Southern California, we have the advantage of climate to allow for the concept of outdoor space as a continuation of the indoor living area,” says Mark Lewison, academic director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of California – Hollywood. “Due to our warm, dry climate, like that of the Southwest, we can use interior-grade furnishings and extend the more private areas of bathing and sleeping to the outdoors, providing a more hedonistic sensuality to private and lush exterior environments.”

For climates without year-round comfortable temperatures, additional considerations must be taken. “While Midwesterners enjoy the change of seasons, they also have to tolerate them,” says Mary G. Cain, academic director of Interior Design at The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg. “To capitalize on enjoyment of outdoor living experiences, spending a little more on durable, quality finishes and furnishings will save space and maximize all-season potential. Many surprising materials and products are available for more volatile outdoor situations, such as furniture made of teak and outdoor rugs made of colorful recycled plastic bottles.”

In addition to utilizing existing home furnishings, the budget-conscious can also acquire items at flea markets, garage sales or through online classified sites for accessories and antiques. Out-of-the-ordinary items repurposed as planters are not only whimsical and easy on the pocketbook but on the environment as well.

Enjoying your redefined outdoor space can bring romance in an unexpected area. Chocolate and champagne are optional.

To learn more about The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Relationship recession survival guide

Jennifer — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:38:36 +0000

How to battle money not your honey

(ARA) – Summer is all about spontaneous getaways, romantic interludes and young love, but the current economic condition can take its toll on your relationship. With financial stresses at an all time high, it’s often easy to put your romance on the backburner. In fact, 43 percent of U.S. couples say the recession has caused them to argue more often and primarily about finances, according to a recent survey by PayPal.

“Everyone is looking for ways to cope with the recession — whether it’s dinner on a budget, staying on top of your game at work, or cutting back on travel, and in the midst of trying to find these solutions, relationships are sometimes the first thing that suffers,” says Microsoft senior product manager, Karin Muskopf. “MSN.com put together a recession survival kit that offers our readers simple tips for coping with the stress of the economy, including a special section with tips and tricks on how to keep your relationship fresh and stress-free during the tough times.”

There are also some interesting ways to keep spending to a minimum and fun to a maximum, such as date night ideas for under $15.

* Watching the Sun Set: Like our love lives, it’s easy to overlook the beautiful things that happen around us every day. Watch the sun go down and share kisses under the stars.
Blanket to sit on: $6
Sunglasses: $2/each at your local drugstore
Lemonade: $1/each
Total: $15

* People-watching: Not all dates have to be steamy. Simply spending time together is what dating is all about. Pick a beautiful day to sit on a bench in a park and marvel at the wonders of nature.
Bottle of wine: $8
Plastic cups: $3
Bench: free
Marveling at the wonders of the public: More fun than you think
Total: $11

* Movie Night with Friends: Miss the wild abandon of your college days? Have the gang over for beers and movie — but save the make-out session for later.
Renting “Old School”: $5
Inviting your friends over: free
Going old school and having people throw in beer money at the door: awesome
Going streaking through the quad: optional
Popcorn for 20: $10
Total: $15

Other simple and affordable tips from MSN include:

* Stay on the same team: Remember you are not mad at each other, you are mad at the invisible enemy — money. Expressing disagreement, distress, and anger is part of problem solving. But, there’s healthy confrontation and then there’s kicking someone when he or she is down. Use your fingers for grabbing hands and holding on, not pointing. You’re in this together.

* Withdraw your identity from your bank account: We measure a lot in this society by the wealth a person appears to have. When it feels like the rest of the world is looking down, be the one who keeps your mate’s chin up. Affirm other kinds of success: friendship, parenting, a talent. Everyone needs to hear the words, “I believe in you,” and more so in times of self-doubt.

* Maintain a one-man-down policy with each other: If one is feeling depressed or anxious, the other has to stay up on his or her end of the seesaw.

* Reach out: Let friends and family in on what is going on with you and your financial situation. It will open the door to a flood of support. Admitting you are vulnerable will allow others to let down their own facade of “fine, thank you.”

* Take time out from worry: As with checking accounts, you aren’t always able to put into your relationship what is taken out. It’s hard to afford romance and intimacy when you are consumed by worry. Set aside time for you and your significant other, to enjoy time-out from worry.

* Always kiss each other good night: Don’t let the magic fade with overpowering conversations of the economic downturn, keep the romance alive, and never forget to kiss each other good night.

For additional tips on how to survive the recession, check out the MSN Recession Survival Guide at savings.msn.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Teen Romance Games: Sing A Song, Or Bet On Sports

Author — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:44:37 +0000

Young people that are still in their teens generally don’t have too many opportunities to indulge in romance though if they try out a few simple teen romance games, this aspect to their life can easily be fixed. One of the simplest of all teen romance games is to bet on a sport that both teenagers are interested in and when one teen wins the other has to give a treat or do something that the winner desires.

Sing A Song

Another simple teen romance game involves singing a funny and romantic song that is incomprehensible to your partner. This is a whacky way of reminding your partner about some good times that you have shared with one another.

The bane of teenage romance does not know how to be more romantic and this is something that can lead to frustration and even a worsening of relationships which is something that playing teen romance games can easily address. There are several good teen romance games to choose from including one that is known as Dragon’s Lair and though this is a video game it is a big hit, which is especially fun to play around Valentine’s Day.

In this (Dragon’s Lair) teen romance game the hero has to rescue the beautiful Princess who has become the captive of an evil dragon. There are several twists and turns to this teen romance game but it is a game that provides ample opportunity to teen couples to huddle against each other as each takes a stab at playing the game.

Another and similar teen romance game that is also a video game is the one known as Primal in which a waitress along with her boyfriend are attacked by some villains after the boyfriend who is a lead singer in a rock band are leaving the club. This teen romance game requires that the girlfriend does all that is in her power to rescue the boyfriend who has become captive of the villains.

An especially romantic teen romance game (again a video game) is the one known as The Silver Star Story which revolves around a couple of young (teenage) lovers living in an idyllic world with each person having their own dreams about what they will do in life. However, their dreams soon bring the world to the brink of destruction and this is when teens will get a chance to relive their childhood joys and crushes and perhaps find a new romance.

If you want to find romance, there are two options to choose from and these are to find a totally new place to find the special one in your life or you can change your approach to love and to how to go about finding new relationships. In any case, if you are a teenager looking for more excitement and love in your life, you need only grab a teen romance game (even if it is on video) and get some fun and enjoyment in your life.

Romance Board Games Will Liven Up Cold Wintry Nights

Author — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:41:16 +0000

If you are looking to socialize and have fun as well as laugh with your partner then you need to consider playing romance board games. No one likes to live life without these ingredients and if you are otherwise busy with work and cannot find something with which to spark romance and bring you closer to the opposite sex, then a romance board game can prove to be your best bet.

Entertain And Be Entertained

Being entertained and entertaining your partner is essential to every romance since for a short period of time you can forget your cares and get rid of whatever is stressing you. The more hectic your life is the less chance of romancing will you get, and in any case taking part in a social activity is essential to your emotional well being.

Romance board games can give you the right opportunity to taste success, enjoy the company of your partner as well as give vent to emotions and feelings. There are no doubts as to the fact that if one gets the chance to laugh and unwind, life becomes rosier and here again romance board games is a good way to come closer to your partner.

Getting enough recreation is also an essential part of life as it helps to make life more interesting and it also adds excitement to an otherwise mundane existence. Playing romance board games on a cold and wintry night is one of the best options to ignite a spark of romance and it also helps you to avoid becoming bored.

A couple can get a lot of excitement out of playing a romance board game and by also having some refreshments it is going to give you a chance to play a clean and romantic role that will be appreciated by your opposite number. Interest is generally high when playing a romance board game as it allows you to forget everything except staying close to your partner and when played with vigor adds vitality to your relationship.

If you need to add spice to your love life, it would make sense to play a romance game with your partner, and there is in fact, a good option for you in the form of a romance dress-up game. If your life only consisted of working and making money, you would not be able to spare time for your partner and this would result in a fading of romantic inclinations.

Before things get out of hand, draw up a board and enjoy a cool romance board game to energize your romance.

Free Romance Games: The Best Things In Life Are Free

Author — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:39:55 +0000

It is quite normal to have a lot of money one day and then totally blow your stash the next. For those that are romancing this can prove to be a very trying time and rather than spend money on buying a romance game, it would make more sense to find a free romance game instead. One of the many ways that a free romance game can help you is it can help you to start a relationship or to date someone or even to flirt with the opposite sex.

Strong Feelings

Though most romance games will cost you some money, using a free romance game is something that will provide you with a good opportunity to share precious moments with your partner and also not add to your financial woes. After all, your feelings can be very strong, but your money will not allow you to do what you want to do and so the only viable option for you would be to play a free romance game.

It is also not how much you spend on your romancing but the thought behind the romance and in this a free romance game can prove to be an ideal solution as the best things in life are free. Women have their own special needs and though pampering them can prove to be a costly business, using a free romance game can also win their hearts and give you many options to try out as well.

The simplest free romance game is to get a game that involves a bubble bath and which also comes with bubble ball and instruction as to how to play this free romance game. You should give enough rope to your imagination to make the game even more fun.

You can also play a free romance game by painting seductive couples in different and often compromising positions which can involve playing in the nude as well as involves food. You can add more romance in your life by acting as Adonis and Venus and feed your partner grapes and even berries by placing a berry or grape in your mouth that your partner must grab with their mouths.

Another option for you is to put tattoos on your partner’s body, especially in the more sensual regions of the body including the inner thigh as well as inner wrist as well as the ankles. Yet another free romance game that you can play with your partner is the playful Picasso in which you can paint on the face with non-toxic face paint and be as creative as possible.

There are several online romance games available as well that you should check out and because online romance is budding in this day and age of the Internet, there are sure to be many options available that will suit every different type of taste. By playing a free romance game you will certainly come a lot closer to your partner and enjoy the closeness.

Judging Romance Compatibility

Author — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:46:26 +0000

One of the basic instincts that we human beings have in life is the need to find someone with whom we would like to spend the rest of our lives with. This sort of aim or goal in life is there and has always been there since human beings started roaming the Earth. Romance compatibility is one way of judging just how well the two people might go together.

The Astrological Factor

The term romance compatibility implies that there should be some degree of comfort that the two people interested in each other should have. This romance compatibility is sometimes judged by some factors which are based on astrology. These astrological factors include the Zodiac, the planets and the starts positions. The Zodiac are based on the dates that an individual is born under as well as the element that is strongest during that month and year. The alignment of the planets during the birth date of the individual is also something that is considered for this romance compatibility judgment.

Most of the astrological factors that are believed to be included in finding the romance compatibility of a couple is based on how the Chinese have done their pairing several centuries ago. These astrological bases are not only for romance compatibility but also for other daily aspects such as the best time to open a store or have a wedding.

Having Things In Common

On other things that you can judge a couple’s romance compatibility is how much they have in common. This is actually a two way street in which it can work both ways. The things that a couple may have in common can also be something that can lead to their relationship’s demise. Usually, the commonalities issue will be dependent on how each party looks at it. Some people get too comfortable with having a routine which is what usually happens when you both have the same way of thinking in some aspects.

On the other hand, having common interest and likes can also propel a couple into a better relationship. This is one way of having the romance compatibility factor going well. Whatever romance game one may have in mind can be easily understood by the other since you may have similar instinctive likes and preferences.

The lack of romance compatibility or love compatibility does not necessarily mean that you can not work things out. There are actually some couples who are exact opposites of each other but they seem to be going well enough.

The Pull Of Romance Poems

Author — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:42:55 +0000

Romance and marriage have always dominated the lives of people along with love and the more basic emotions that rule our lives. Romance poems are among the most often quoted pieces of literature in the world along with lines from movies, shows and plays. Romance poems have long been used to express an individual’s feelings and intentions towards someone. In the older days, many men have written love or romance poems for the woman whom the wish to court.

These days, romance poems are often interpreted into songs with poignant music that touches the hart even more. Many love songs have started out as romance poems and has been added music to make them more catchy for entrepreneurial purposes. The purpose of such is still the same as before, to express the feelings that one has for another individual. Before, love poems were dedicated to the ones they love purely as an expression of the writer’s feelings, these days, combined with music, love poems can be sung to be more expressive.

Themes For Romance Poems

The fact that these literary pieces are called romance poems does not necessarily mean that they are all happy; in fact many romance poems have tones of angst and frustration in them due to unrequited love or the inability to express oneself other than in writing. Other romance poems may have themes of pining for a lost love or a love that is far away. There may be other different themes of love poetry from young love often known as puppy love to everlasting love.

The length of romance poems vary greatly depending on the preferences of the author of the poem. Some are just a few stanzas while others can be several pages long. Most of the time, these types of poetry are focused mainly on the first person and more on his or her emotions. It may seem unusual to have a generalized aspect of a poem but sometimes, some romantic poetry is like this. Not necessarily touching on personal things; instead they are broad interpretations of the feelings connected to love and romance.

Although romance poems are seldom made these days for the purpose that they were made before, there are still some people who express themselves with these but keep them for their personal pleasure. Romance poems can uplift and inspire people to love and be loved. The same as these may help to heal a person’s broken heart.

The Appeal Of Romance Stories

Author — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:38:59 +0000

One may wonder why romance stories sell so well. There is actually a very valid and good reason why romance stories sell well enough to keep several romance authors well paid. For those who are unaware what these are, romance stories are usually novels that are short enough to be read in less than a day. These books are sometimes longer than the ordinary romance novels and can have a really confusing number of characters but one common actor to romance stories is the degree of love and romance in them.

Women

Romance stories ultimately appeal to women of suitable ages starting from teenage years. The main reason why many women find this kind of literature very attractive is due to fantasies that they would like to indulge in and sort of experience through reading. Many women are prone to flights of fantasy and what better way than to read fantastic things. Romance stories are usually about bigger than life men who chase the woman they love through many difficulties.

Fantasizing about something is ultimately safer then doing the risky thing itself, reading romance stories can be a sort of release for many women when it comes to romance and their love life.

Depending on the theme of a certain romance author, the story will follow this theme throughout the entire novel. Authors who are into romance novels may have one specific theme while others have varied themes which they write about depending on how they feel. Most authors are women although there are some men who are very good at putting together romance stories. There have been some rumors that some men can actually write better than women regarding love and romance.

The consultation of a romance horoscope is another thing that some authors may look into especially if they decide to write about characters whose lives revolve around the stars and the horoscope. These themes can be appealing to some while unappealing to others. This sort of thing can also be used as a reference point for some authors instead of the focal point of the entire novel or story.

All in all, romance stories really appeal to their readers because of the way they allow their readers to live out their fantasies and expand them. Romance stories can actually help enhance a relationship because they may teach a thing or two to their readers. At the same time, too much immersion can distort one’s perception of the truth and reality.

How to Create Romance In Your Relationship?

Author — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:18:24 +0000

It might seem easy to create romance in a relationship, however, in practice it often seems to be hard to keep up or even establish this romance. Firstly, it is sometimes hard to express our deepest feelings, and we may think that it is enough to feel, however it is never enough. Moreover, in a marriage, for example, after long years of living together, many people may just sink into the routine of everyday-life, from which it is hard to re-create romance. In any case, it may be useful to know some essential tips on how to create romance.

How To Create Romance In A New RelAtionship?

It may seem easy, new relationships are all about passion, about getting to know each other and expressing our affection. However, as the partners do not yet know each other that well, it may sometimes be hard to find out what exactly the other one finds exciting or interesting or romantic. Though women generally like flowers and chocolate, not all of them are so keen on these, and would prefer for example concert tickets or a pizza. If the partner does not yet know these preferences, it can easily happen that the new couple will find itself eating in an elegant restaurant with which the man wanted to romantically charm the woman, but which is not the ultimate romantic idea for her. Thus, it is very important to talk with the partner as much as possible, find out his or her preferences. Because taking her at last to the perfect dream-place will definitely have its rewards, and is one solution to how to create romance.

How To Create Romance In A Long-Term Relationship or Marriage?

And how to keep the romance in these cases? Creating romance is a bit harder and takes perhaps much effort. Ultimately, moreover it depends on the years the couple spent together. If they succeeded in establishing a good relationship in which they are mutually fond of each other and can communicate properly, creating romance, even if the everyday routine seems to be dominant is quite easy. The partners do not have to charm each other any more, they thoroughly know one another and can surprise each other even with the smallest things. If the relationship is generally bad, however, it may be really hard to create romance. Some would think, that a big romantic gesture, like a travel for example could solve all the problems, and is the ultimate answer to the question, ’how to create romance’, and though it can serve as a temporary solution, the most important point is to establish somehow a good relationship by starting to communicate with each other again, which is a slightly longer process.

Tips On How To Romance A Man

Author — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:07:28 +0000

Though men do not generally seem to be that interested in romance, at least in the traditional romantic ideas of women, you should definitely know that there are some steps as to how to romance a man. You may be looking for tips to maintain a good relationship in your marriage or to establish at last a long-term relationship. Tips on how to romance a man seem to be mostly universal, and usually apply to all men. Charming a man is basically quite simple, even if women try to overcomplicate it.

Compliments

To understand how to romance a woman, men need to be aware of the importance of compliments, and this works quite similarly in understanding how to romance a man. Men just need compliments, though they are not as verbal as women, they like feeling appreciated and adored. Instincts and differences between the two sexes still exist, and thus manliness and strength are of special importance to men, so if you want to know how to romance a man, you have to keep in mind that you should try to compliment his strength, how you can rely on him at all times. Or try to compliment him on anything he has done, if he has done the shopping for you or has helped you in any way. Women can easily get used to getting their breakfast in bed on Saturdays from their men for example, but keep in mind that it is important to thank him even after years.

Break The Routine

Men do seem to like established routines in their lives, and they often seem to cling to these, but one tip on how to romance a man is to try to break this routine. On the one hand it can feel reassuring to have for example a eating out-night every week, but if you always eat at the same place, you may perhaps change this routine, and go to someplace else for a change. Get the kids away and spend an intimate evening together, drinking wine, and always try to help him if he seems to have a problem.

Surprise him

Are you asking yourself how to romance a man? Spice it up! Buy some special underwear and wear it for him, dance for him, cook a delicious dinner when he was not expecting it. Perhaps you should not exactly romance a man by candles and roses as you would romance yourself. Find out what he likes, what interests and excites him, and do it for him. You are most probably usually doing things that both of you or just you like. Now, for a change, do something just for him, watch a football game with him and ask him to tell you all his desires.