VALENTINEGUIDE
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About The Authors Melissa Chapman is a self described homebody- who would prefer nothing more than to curl up on the couch with her two kids, two Shih Tzus and her husband and watch Indie films all day. When she 's not scarfing down extra large cups of hazlenut coffee and dragging her bottom to the gym she blogs about her marriage at www.marriedmysugardaddy.com and her kids at www.thestatenislandfamily.com. Her work has appeared in She Knows, The Staten Island Advance, Lifetime Moms, Care.com, ABC News, The Bump, BlogHer, Baby Center, Momtourage, Babble, The Washington Post, Time, Out NY Kids and iVillage.
Corine Ingrassia is a wife, mother of two, confessed shopaholic and chief Complicated Mama™ . Inspired by her passion to shop, socialize and share, Corine launched her lifestyle site, Complicated Mama™ in 2008 to connect with other modern day mama’s who love but are not defined by her role of Mom. Her work has been featured on Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect, New York Family, and The Staten Island Advance. She is currently the community Manager for Tri-State Chevy Dealers.
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Table Of Contents
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At Home Date Night
p.4-5
Tips to connect with your partner Fond Of Fondue?
p.6 p.8
VDIY with the fam Printable Cupcake Toppers
p.9 p.10
Gifts For Her Gifts For Him
p.11-14 p.15-18
Gifts For Babies & Kids Gifts For Kids & Tweens
p.19 p.20
Melissa & Corine’s Top 5 Picks
p.21
At Home Date Night Inspiration ! When was the last time you and your spouse went out on a date night that didn’t include either toting a diaper bag and a cooler full of baby food, or sharing a vat of popcorn with your tween? It was probably when you were deep in our courtship phase; a.k.a., before the kids came along. Life moves fast and when you are in the motherhood trenches, sometimes wrangling a baby sitter, feeding and bathing the kids just to get out the door– it’s more work than you’d like to add to your already overflowing plate. Here are four ways to get your date night on at home.
Spa At Home Read more... (Pictured right: Skin So Soft By Avon, $12.99)
Dine-In-Date Night Read more... (Pictured right: Omaha Steaks, Table Topics, Couples Edition, Remole Wine)
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At Home Date Night Inspiration !
Get Your Romance On! Click here to read more... (Pictured left : Scandal Candle)
Walk Down Memory Lane Click here to read more... (Pictured right :Printstagr.am Memory Box , Road Trip Art Map )
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5 Tips To Connect With Your Partner
( Pictured above: Twittens, $20 )
By: Melissa Chapman
#1 Be an active listener: Stop what you’re doing. Really hear your partner and when
they feel understood that will go a long way in helping the two of you feel validated as individuals and as a couple. #2 Have a couples play date: With our kids we see the importance in creating and keeping fun in a relationship; invest the same fun factor into your marriage. Dance around kitchen and or if you can’t go on a date- create a space where you can re-energize your relationship and just have fun together (See our in-home date night ideas.) #3 Stay curious about your spouse. Remember in the beginning when you asked so many questions about one another? Of course as a relationship/marriage progresses we get lazy-and we assume we know what our partner is feeling and thinking. But like any relationship or friendship- if you stop engaging in conversation, asking questions and really connecting with that other person, the relationship will simply cease to be vital. Our marriages are subject to the same issues– they are not made of reinforced steel- they too will crumble if we are not constantly nourishing them.. so STAY curious about your spouse! #4 Touch each other. That’s right; caress one another’s hand, wrap your arms around your spouse’s waist, engage him or her in a quick kiss. The power of a loving touch can do wonders for your relationship- especially when unsolicited and given with unconditional abandon. #5 Laugh. Scintillating, passionate sex is wonderful- but one of those big belly laughs that make you almost pee your pants- that’s what will carry yoyu and your spouse through the darker and more trying periods in your marriage. If you can find humor- you can find that light at the end of the tunnel-together.
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Sweet Treats For The Whole Fam
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Fond Of Fondue ? Mastrad's ceramic chocolate fondue set is fun and easy to use! The set comes with 1 fondue pot, 1 warming stand, 4 fondue forks, and 1 candle. $17.99
Basic Cheddar Cheese
Fudgy Milk Chocolate Fondue
source: allrecipes.com Ingredients: • • • • • •
2 cups of milk 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons ground dry mustard 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 6 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
source: allrecipes.com Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) can chocolate-flavored syrup 1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk Dash salt 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract Dippers: fresh fruit, cookies, pound cake cubes, angel food cake cubes • Directions • • • • •
Directions: Directions: 1. 1.
Mix together milk, Worcestershire sauce, ground dry mustard, garlic and flour. Heat until almost boiling. Gradually stir in Cheddar cheese. Continue heating until all the cheese has melted. Keep the mixture warm and melted in a fondue dish.
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2.
Combine syrup,sweetened condensed milk and salt. Cook and stir 12 to 15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in vanilla. Serve warm with dippers. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
V- DIY Sweet Treat Fun For The Whole Family
Rubber Heart Ice Tray by Mastrad -Perfect for that Valentine’s day cookies and milk- . It is the ideal blend of rigid and flexible materials. - Both fun and easy to use, simply push the silicone back side of the tray to remove the ice. - The Ice Cube Tray comes with a lid to prevent spills and allows stacking of multiple trays. Heart Ice Cube Tray - Raspberry $7.99
Corine’s Tip: Fill the tray with strawberry milk and add the pink heart cube to your child’s next cup of milk! Silicone Reversible Red Heart Shaped Pan by Mastrad - This bakeware combines non-stick, flexible silicone with patented rigid handles giving professional and home bakers the best of both worlds. The pan is easy to use and handle and includes a recipe book. $19.99
Melissa’s Tip: Use brownie mix for the inside heart and yellow cake mix for the outside for the ultimate Valentine’s Day cake.
Cookie Stamp , Spooner Sisters Turn your cookies into cupids with this clever cookie stamp. Stamp out I love you on everything from oatmeal to chocolate chips .Needless to say, super perfect for Valentine's Day! $16.95
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Kids Printable Cupcake Toppers!
Whether you are baking cupcakes for the school, Valentine’s day party or simply want to create something fun, festive and EASY with your kiddos this Valentine’s Day, the below printables below are here to save the day! Cupcake toppers add that special touch to your delicious baked goods. They are simple enough that you can even get your smaller children involved in the fun!
DOWNLOAD HERE • Print cake topper document • Carefully cut out each circle topper • Use matching circles as front and back for both toppers • Sandwich a toothpick between front and back of topper and glue together
Corine’s Tip: Serve these up with a cup of milk and heart shaped ice cube, as shown on previous page!
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Gift Ideas For Her
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For Her
Posh Mommy Loops Necklaces
$110 Nude by Rhianna
$59
$17
All Wrapped Up Baby Doll By Avon
$25
Droga Chocolates Gift Set
Melissa Says.. . There is no Valentine’s day without Chocolate and these are the quintessential treat!
Julep Pinks and Reds 5-Piece Nail Color Collection, QVC
$40 $145 Red Glamour Rose Pajamas, BedHead PJ’s
Corine Says.. . TRUST ME. YOU NEED THESE. These high quality cotton PJ’s are worth EVERY penny. My hubby got these for me as a gift and I don’t want to wear any other Pajamas. SOOO Comfy!!
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For Her
Amazonia Necklace, Lia Sophia
$78
Michael Korrs Buckle Ring
Viktor & Rolf 'Flowerbomb
$85
$107
Casual Shorty Set, Avon
Steel by Design Set of Four Initial Bangles, QVC
$34 Tipsy Spin Glasses Olive and Cocoa
$98
Personalized Interlocking Heart Mugs, Hearts
$25 Ollio Clip for iPhone 5
$70 $25 13
Queen Of Hearts
Heart Charm Set, Swarovski
$78 Anthropologie Shadowy Hearts stud earrings
Heart Print Infinity Scarf
$28 BCBGMAXAZRIA Heart Print One Sleeve Top
$28 $62 Anthropologie Heart Birch Cuff
$108
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Gift Ideas For Him
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For Him
Sonos Play3
$299 The Onion Book Of Known Knowledge, 14.99
Material 6 iPhone Cover South American Rosewood
Nike Fuel Band, $149
$68 The Play Video Memo With a magnetic backing, this is basically a video sticky note. Record your message & place The Play with where you want it to be found.
$60 Roku XD, Starting at $49.99
Melissa Says.. . The owner of this kit will be able to fix ANYTHING IN THE WORLD (or at least won't have any excuses)
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DeWalt MAX Lithium Ion Four Tool Combo Kit
$499
For Him
SwingTIP Wireless Golf Swing Analyzer
9 2 1 $
$110 Fossil 'Estate City' Crossbody Bag
Jack Black First Class Five Gift Set
Diesel Leather Cuff Bracelet
$50
$65 XO Boxers, jcrew
Frame His Instagram Pics! , Printstagr.am These 12" x 12" frames are a clean, modern way to showcase your beautiful images. You can select from four different layouts.y excuses)
Corine Says..
$60
$19
Printstagr.am has a ton of cool products for the instagram lover. Their desk calendar and tiny photobook are also VERY cool and worth checking out! **Order by Feb 3 to ensure Vday delivery!
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Man Trend Alert! Shopping is perhaps one of the biggest differences with most men and women. Women love the the experience, finding a bargain, hunting down trends... and with men on the other hand it is all about the ease of shopping. We are seeing more and more companies popping up making easy shopping happen for men. These companies take information about their client and send him packages periodically throughout the year- and they all offer gift cards, making it an excellent gift for your man this Valentine’s day!
About Manpacks.. Manly basics like socks, underwear, razors, and toiletries delivered every three months. The Manpacks man never has to worry about running out of their favorite day-to-day essentials again!
About Trunk Club.. . Trunk Club was started to solve a simple problem – shopping for clothes in stores or online just doesn’t work for most guys. Personal Style Experts hand-selects a trunk of designer items based on each customer’s needs and tastes. They keep what they love and send the rest right back to us, at no cost to them.
About Dollar Shave CLub.. Built by a guy tired of overpriced blades and of forgetting/refusing/denying to buy them each month, The Dollar Shave Club was born. Today men can sign up to receive quality blades sent to their door for just $1 a month.
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Gift Ideas For Babies, Kids & Tweens
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For Babies and Kids
Arrows Leggings, Hello Apparel
$24
Pop Heart Babylegs, BabyLegs Luv It FunBites!
$12 $22 Arrows Leggings, Hello Apparel Crayon Necklace
Heartbreaker Tee, jcrew
$24 $25
Heart Shaped Drinking Straws
$10.50
$9
Doodle Pro Travel Heart
$7 20
Fisher Price- Doodle Bear
$20
Disney’s It’s A Small World: I Love You!
$7
Love Word Book Ends, Pottery Barn Teen $39
For Kids & Tweens Fortune Cookie Maker
Derek Jeter Driven, by Avon
$29
1Direction Heart Earbuds
$28
Graphic Quote Wall Art, Pottery Barn Teen
$20
Heart Cardigan, Gap
Sweet Sentiments Pillows, Pottery Barn Teen $35
$23 Skeleton Green Heart, Cafe Press Charm It Gift Set, High Intensity
$23 21
$30
Meliss’as Top 5 Picks For Her: Avon casual Shorty two piece lingerie For Him: Manpacks For The Kids: Fortune Cookie maker Tween girls: One Direction ear buds Tween boys: Derek Jeter cologne FOLLOW MELISSA :
@MelissaSChapman www.MarriedMySugarDaddy.com
Corine’s Top 5 Picks
For Her: BedHead PJ’s For Him: Material 6 iPhone 4S Cover South American Rosewood For The Kids: Hello Apparel leggings Tween girls: Charm It Braceclet Tween boys: Skeleton Green Heart Tee
FOLLOW CORINE :
@ComplicatedMama www.ComplicatedMama.com
* Some products selected in this guide were sent to the authors for review purposes. All opinions are their own,
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