Picture Books that Adults Will Love, Too!

Reading is an important skill. Parents who want to raise an avid reader need to take the time to read lots of stories to their children. It is also a good idea to let your child see you reading. Children often imitate the behaviors they see their parent’s doing. Check out some of these children’s books that adults will love, too! Reading books with your child can be a rewarding experience. It is a nice way to spend time together and share a hobby that you both enjoy. Things can become a bit maddening, however, when a child insists upon … Continue reading

Extended Love Day Travel Deals

February is a notoriously slow period for the hotel industry.  This translates into a golden opportunity for frugal travelers looking to save a bundle on a much-needed romantic escape.  Just because Valentine’s Day is over, doesn’t mean you can’t sneak away with your sweetie on a luxurious weekend trip without breaking the bank. Many hotels around the country are extending their Love Day-themed deals through the end of the month, including: Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa:  The upscale property is offering a money-saving deal dubbed the “Coronado Island Romance” package.  It features deluxe accommodations in a bay view room, … Continue reading

Singles Appreciation Day

Most of the year I don’t mind being single, in fact, there are a lot of things I like about it. I like having time to myself, I like being able to make decisions on my own, and most of all I really like the one-on-one time I get with my son because of it. However, being alone on the holidays can get lonely, especially on ones like today that are so focused on a love that isn’t in your life anymore. While everyone else is getting spoiled with candle lit dinners, you’re at home alone or taking care of … Continue reading

St. Valentine’s Day

Today was a day my husband and I routinely ignore on an annual basis as something designed by marketers to make money selling situationally overpriced flowers and unnecessary calories to unsuspecting and uncreative individuals wishing to mimic the idea of love in a physical form. We ignore it to save money, to save time, and to save sanity. Often we would exchange a handwritten letter to one another as an indication that today is a day when people remember their love and commit to strengthen it anew in the face of the day to day struggles of any relationship. Today … Continue reading

All the Valentine’s Day Deals

This year, there are a whole lot of restaurants, fast food places, cafes, and other places to get food from that are celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special deal, coupon, or offer. This blog has all the Valentine’s Day deals that you, and your loved ones, can take advantage of. Baskin Robbins has a coupon for $2.00 off any cake, with a minimum $12.00 cake purchase. This coupon will expire February 14, 2013. California Tortilla is giving “anyone who purchases an entree a fabulous treat” on Valentine’s Day. It appears that the treat is a dessert of some kind. They … Continue reading

When Valentine’s Day Is a Downer

Valentine’s Day can be a real downer for many teens.  It may be nothing more than a reminder that they don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend, fueling some of the negative beliefs they may already have about themselves. Sometimes schools add insult to injury by drawing greater attention to it.  Although last week was “Spirit Week” at my daughter’s high school, I found the theme for Friday to be a bit unsettling. You were supposed to wear a color to represent your relationship status.  The different colors showed if you were taken, single or in a relationship dubbed “it’s complicated.”  … Continue reading

Sweet and Sexy Travel Deals

If you love the idea of escaping February’s bitter cold to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your lover in the warm California sun, then you are going to adore these amazing travel deals. The following sweet and sexy Love Day offerings will warm your heart without burning a hole in your wallet: SWEET This sweetheart of a deal is being offered by the US GRANT hotel in San Diego’s historic downtown district.  From now through February 28th you and your true love can take advantage of the “Romancing the Epicurean” package, which features deluxe accommodations, two welcome cocktails, an edible “Artist’s … Continue reading

Simple and Affordable Valentine’s Day Fun

    Why say it with fancy flowers, expensive jewelry or extravagant five-star dinners when you can show love this Valentine’s Day with affordable gifts from the heart? Whether you are celebrating the holiday with your child or a significant other, these simple crafts will go a long way to show your special someone how much they mean to you: I LOVE YOU HEART BANNER Materials: 12×12 scrapbook paper in Valentine’s Day colors or prints Red, white or pink cardstock Scissors Ribbon Hole punch Directions: Cut-out heart shapes from the 12×12 scrapbook paper. Make one heart for each letter of … Continue reading

Free Valentine’s Day Apps for Android

Celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with some free Valentine’s Day themed apps for Android devices. It is a good way to get into the spirit of the holiday. Some of these apps are kid-friendly, and some are variations on classic games. Here are some free Valentine’s Day apps for Android that you can play with this year. 2013 Valentine’s Day Hidden Objects is a free app for Android devices. The app was released on January 23, 2013. It features several simple “find the hidden object” puzzles that are kid-friendly. The backgrounds that you have to search through to find the … Continue reading

Free Valentine’s Day Apps for iPhone

One way to get into the spirit of a holiday is to play around with an app that was designed with that holiday in mind. There are plenty of Valentine’s Day apps out there for people who use iPhones. Many of them are free to download and use! Here are a few of the free Valentine’s Day apps that are new this year. Insta Love Frames is a free app that is compatible with iPhone and iPad. It is optimized for iPhone 5. It was updated on January 19, 2013. The app contains 30 different frames, and some special effects. … Continue reading