Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and you won’t believe how excited we are! We have to share this with you at all costs! Cupid paid us a visit at RealEstateAgent.com and asked if we could help him launch a new book on last-minute ideas for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day AT HOME. We couldn’t say no! So this book is not even published yet, but it has some great tips in it we must reveal even if we will be charged with copyright infringement.
But there is only one happiness in life: to love and to be loved, so we will risk our freedom to make sure you feel loved this Valentine’s Day.
Cupid’s book is more like a home tour. Or, as one of our real estate agents put it: “It’s like an invitation to Cupid’s open house!”. It takes the reader from the doorway to every single room. It has some great ideas about spending a lovely evening at home with your partner, skipping the restaurants and avoiding the crazy traffic. Cupid really cares about the time you two get to spend together on Valentine’s Day, you know?
At the gates of paradise
So what can you do at the doorway? Decorate it with balloons and flowers! Order a wreath for the door from your favorite florist and it will set the mood for the night from your first step inside. Maybe you can buy a special doormat for this day. Put a little tag on the doorknob that says “You have the keys to my heart!” …be creative!
Well, we first thought that as soon as you enter, Cupid would say to get undressed… as you would expect from him. But no… he went straight to the kitchen this time.
In the kitchen
Cupid suggests that you prepare a romantic candlelight dinner at home instead of agonizing in front of a restaurant.
The setting is very important! Decorate the table with flowers and candles in different glass recipients and at different heights for more visual impact. Color coordination is the key and this is something you don’t get at a restaurant. Then cook! You don’t have to be an expert. Choose an easy dish like this easy paella recipe:
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp dried paprika
250g paella or risotto rice
3 tbsp white wine
400g can chopped tomatoes with garlic
750 ml chicken stock or water
400g bag frozen seafood mix
Parsley and onion for decoration
You can finish this dish in less than 1 hour and you don’t make a lot of mess in the kitchen because you throw all the ingredients into one pan.
- First, put the oil in a large frying pan or wok, then add the onion.
- After the onion is soft and translucent, add the dried paprika. (You may add chili as well if you like.)
- Then, pour the wine and let evaporate
- Stir in the tomatoes and pour the water
- Let the rice boil for about 15 minutes
- Add the seafood and simmer for 5 minutes or until cooked through
- Squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle some parsley
Why did Cupid choose this recipe? Because seafood is a well-known aphrodisiac.
Another great idea would be to hire a personal chef for a more intimate dining experience. He will create a custom menu, will serve you and will leave the kitchen as clean as a new pin. Or you can clean it yourself if you want to move to the living room.
In the living room
Yes, in the living room you can watch a romantic movie, a comedy or… “Titanic” for the nth time. Or what about “50 First Dates”? Destress and relax. Cuddle and caress one another – it’s such a great way to flirt, to tease, to build tension… These childish games will remind you of the courtship period when you were full of lust yet so afraid of skin contact. Clean your minds and evade reality. If you want to go a little further, you can hire a massage therapist using the Soothe app. You will feel a sense of renewal and rejuvenation.
But in his book, Cupid recommended that you should attend a massage course before Valentine’s Day. If this idea never crossed your mind, then put it on your list. Next time, you will take your partner by surprise. Massage oils come in handy as usual. There are plenty to choose from, however, if you are into essential oils, you should try to make this tingling blend yourself:
- 1oz carrier oil
- 8 drops peppermint
- 8 drops black pepper
- 4 drops Ylang-Ylang
- 4 drops geranium
- 3 drops bergamot
- 3 drops jasmine
In the bathroom
The next stop on your way to pure bliss will be the bathroom. Bubble baths are not everyone’s favorite, but it is good to have one from time to time and even better to have one with your partner. Valentine’s Day is the best excuse. Or try out bath bombs! Color your water any color you want and you might even get some glitter on top! Some other things you must have close to the bathtub are two glasses of Champagne, strawberries covered in chocolate or grapes. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac, too! “When you get here, my job is done. Things unfold naturally!”, said Cupid.
In the bedroom
So the home tour ends in the bedroom. The god of love opens the door to everyone’s imagination. Actually, this chapter is the thickest of his book! So, let’s pick just some ideas from the first pages: “Redecorate the bedroom if you have the time!”, Cupid wrote. Put new curtains with Valentine’s Day patterns (hearts, roses and so on). Dress the bed with new duvet covers – look for Percale cotton, Pima, Supima, and Egyptian cotton. Also, buy new hypoallergenic pillows. Or wash your pillows in the washing machine! It’s time to refresh! And if you want more action in the bedroom, use one of these six scents: vanilla, cinnamon, almond, ginger, jasmine, and Ylang-Ylang.
Did we say vanilla? Oh, Gosh! You must mix strawberries with vanilla cream or ice cream – it’s like the food of the gods! And it’s safe to bring in your bedroom! You only need 5 ingredients to make this divine dessert:
2 ½ cups whole milk
1 tbsp corn starch (or more, if you want it thicker)
2 egg yolks
⅓ cup of sugar
1 tsp and vanilla extract
- Heat 2 cups of milk and bring to a boil for 5 minutes
- Mix the remaining milk with cornstarch
- Then add to the mixture the eggs and the sugar – beat until smooth
- Pour the mixture in the simmering milk slowly
- Stir and whisk until it thickens for about 3 minutes
- Strain the cream through cheesecloth then let it cool
- And serve!
Spoil your senses!
Valentine’s Day means a feast for all senses. So, after your taste buds come your eardrums. Your ears should be delighted with the best love songs. Prepare a playlist for Valentine’s Day with your favorite love songs. Different music genres give you a different mood. Keep it positive! Keep it seductive! The god of desire would start with Bob Dylan’s famous hit “Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed…”, and continue with Ellie Goulding “Love me like you do”. Or the song used in the sensual Dior J’Adore in Joy commercial – “I love you” by Woodkid. Or maybe you are into jazz, country music or classical music… The list is really endless.
Well, this home tour “sponsored by Cupid” is about to end, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Before you leave, there is one more tip from Cupid’s book we want to share with you. If you have kids, Cupid insists that you get a babysitter. Prepare a nice evening full of activities for them too. Or leave them with other friends/family overnight. Valentine’s Day is all about reigniting the passion in your relationship or making a mess to create the perfect movie set for your love story. You are creating memories after all. Valentine’s Day is only once a year so you should embrace it with all the goods and bads. And you can have an unforgettable evening without breaking the bank.
Do you think Cupid’s book is worth publishing? Would you get a copy of it? We think it will be a great success. Fifty Shades of Grey will be history when this gem comes out. Keep your eyes on us! Wishing all couples a happy Valentine’s Day! And happy Independence Day to all our single readers!
