Thanks Liz for the great suggestions

OliviaJ — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:47:53 -0600

I am always looking for ways to keep my relationship fresh and romantic. It is great to find your list of ideas. It has sparked my planning for a big Valentines weekend. I also thought I would share a few ideas that compliment your s.

I agree wholeheartedly that soft high thread count sheets are a must, especially for romantic evenings "between the sheets". Stimulating all the senses is what will take intimate time with your partner to another level - touch, sound, scent, taste and sight. A perfect addition to great sheets are the waterproof throws that are velvety soft on one side and satin on the other with a waterproof layer in between. These are perfect for protecting your expensive sheets from oils, etc. and are amazingly soft and cuddly, almost like fur.

The Pacifica candles are fabulous - high quality and great scents. From my experience the massage oil soy candles are also perfect for setting a romantic mood. Not only do they burn clear and smell incredible but the melted "wax" is actually high quality oil you can use for massage - and the fact that it's warm adds even more to the sensory experience. My favorite brand is the Earthly Body Suntouched Candles that come in several scents and a few are even edible as well!

I found the best price and selection for the candles and the throws at www.holisticwisdom.com.
http://www.holisticwisdom.com/fascinator-throws-animal-print.htm
http://www.holisticwisdom.com/suntouched-candles.htm

Holistic Wisdom is a woman owned and operated site that offers so many fabulous, high quality items for enhancing your romantic and intimate life. I have ordered several items from them and have been very impressed by the discreet, professional service every time. The site also offers tips and advice on intimate relationships, sexual health and education, resources and an incredible variety of romantic and sexual items for women and couples. I also love the fact that the company's philosophy supports the empowerment of women and enlightening health information that covers a wide range of topics, including the beauty of sexuality.

Thanks again
Olivia

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19th — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:41:39 -0600

Hi liz

19th — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:35:27 -0600

I got a problem, i know it sounds kinda scary that an unknown guy shows up in your blog and ask for help but i realy need your help..
I'm a 19 years old boy, my name is Cameron.. i'm studying in 2 year of university, i'm living alone..
I have noone to talk to, i'm bored with life, i've never had sex, i think i'm kinda having mental illness.. it all began from the time i entered high school.. i loved a girl in 1st grade of HS.. but she was already in love with another guy.. so i got depressed and the highschool got boring for me.. i had no seld-confidence.. i hated myself.. today 5 years has been passed.. i'm trying to heal my self.. i'm trying to communicate with girls and break the rules that i have made in my mind but there is somthing in my mind that stops me all the time.. wanns let go of the pain i felt so long but i can't.. i don't know what to do.. help me with this thing..

Hello, Competitiveness

Liz Rizzo — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:43:19 -0600

Thanks!

Hive can be competitive, 'tis true! Oh, those nasty spiders! :)

Thanks for the sheets recommendation.

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Great list! My husband and I

minnie — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:01:44 -0600

Great list!

My husband and I brought Hive on our honeymoon and practically got a divorce over it. that and over playing gin. heelloooo competitiveness!

Also, I'd like to recommend getting percale sheets. they are cool and crisp and calvin klein makes great ones.

Ten Gifts To Improve Your Relationship. And Maybe Your Sex Life, too.

Liz Rizzo — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:50:22 -0600

Gifts to improve your relationship - That's a pretty tall order. But I really enjoyed putting this list together. There's a great variety of items for all price ranges. And definitely some things you might not of thought of.

First off, how are your sheets? Yes, your sheets on your bed. Your bed is really, really important. You do at least two really important things in your bed: sleep and have sex. A good bed and good pillows are most key, but I can't pick those out for you. What I can suggest is new sheets. An investment in quality sheets will make a notable difference in your life. File that under maybe crazy, but true. Great sheets feel good every single time you're in your bed. Great sheets bring on the happy.

1. Luxury Sateen Extra Deep Sheet Sets by Wamsutta, 100% Cotton, 400 Thread Count, (Queen set is $149.99 / King set is $169.99 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond) are simply wonderful. Now, you may be thinking, "But, I just saw 600 Thread Count sheets at my local discount store!" The key words are: single ply thread count:

One method some sheet manufacturers use to increase the thread-count is to twist two thinner threads together and create a 2-ply thread. By using 2-ply thread the manufacturer can report a higher thread-count by counting each individual ply within the thread rather than the threads themselves. Therefore, what is essentially 300-thread-count sheets can be stated as 600-thread-count.

Sheets may sound like a boring purchase, but I assure you, I fully expect to get emails from people telling me this was a great suggestion. If you've never had expensive sheets, you can't imagine what you're missing. It's also a great gift to go in on together.

OK, from that strongly worded suggestion, I've got two staples for you: candles and massage oil. You know, we do a lot with our eyes and ears in life, but particularly in relationships, smell and touch are really important. Next time you hug your (clean!) significant other, take a big inhale through your nose. I've always believed that a right match for you is someone who smells good to you. Not to mention the connecting power of that hug!

2. My favorite candles: Pacifica

I love the 5.5 ounce soy wax container candles for $11.95. They also have gift boxes of 3 4-ounce candles for $24.96. Romantic scents include Vietnamese Ylang Ylang and Nile Lily, but there's a variety of scents for every taste. Pacifica candles smell great and burn off completely like a good candle should.

(A candle aside: How do I get the wax out of my votive holders? Answer: Stop buying crappy candles.)

3. My favorite massage oil: Kama Sutra Aromatic Massage Oil

Not greasy, smells great. That's the key. Check out the Honey Dust while you're on their site, too. Bringing the yum to smell and touch.

Speaking of getting physical, exercising together can't help but improve your relationship, even as it improves your health. You know what's great? Yoga. It increases flexibility and strength, and the nature of yoga is that it's challenging to different people in different ways. Plus, doing yoga in front of each other is bound to increase intimacy.

Now, yoga is one form of exercise I really think is better done at a place with an instructor. That said, you and yours may want to try it at home first, and I've got a name for you: Rodney Yee. Love. Him.

4. A.M. and P.M. Yoga for Beginners, $12.99 at Amazon, features two 20-minute practices and is a great way to add some yoga into your life. And I've not tried this second one, but Rodney Yee: Yoga Journal's Family Yoga sounds like a fun way to make it a family affair.

Another great physical activity to improve your relationship is dancing. Seriously, if everyone in the world regularly danced with their partner, there would be less divorce. There's something about the give and take, being in your partner's arms, and looking into your partner's eyes while you move together.

5. Dance lessons: Fred Astaire Dance Studios has a location search, and there's also Arthur Murray Dance Studios - although I couldn't find a site with a location search, so you'll have to Google. If you happen to be in the L.A. area, Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association can't be beat. They've got great, affordable group classes (6 class series is $70) where you can go as a single and rotate or bring a partner and stick with them. Group classes are a great option if you can find them. If you've got a suggestion in your area, I'd love it if you'd link it up in the comments to this post.

Prices for dance lessons varies by location and type, so you'll have to do some legwork on this one. I recommend east coast swing, salsa, or an intro to ballroom dancing for starters.

Remember, if yoga and dancing have you feeling uncoordinated, that's part of the fun! Trying something new, getting up and moving... it's all supergood energy for your relationship.

OK, the next gift is sexy, sexy, sexy and Not Work Safe, baby.

6. Love Swing, $141.99 from RomanticGifts.com. (hat tip to Jungle Jamie) You know, this is the kind of thing one thinks "normal" people don't own. And yet, look at that thing! There's *no way* that's not spicing up your love life. On one hand, I can't imagine owning one, and the other, it gets me totally hot just looking at it! Plus, how much do I love an online store that zeros in on the exact first thing I thought when I first saw this item:

The strangest part of the Sex Swing is not deciding whether you want one, but deciding how to hang it. I doubt many of us have the required beam right over our beds. Even if we did, would we screw a big hook into the ceiling to support our Sex Swing? I probably wouldn't.

I hope that one of my friends buys one of these things and hangs a hook over her bed. I'll wait until she has a party and ask "Girl, what is that hook over your bed for?". That'll be funny.

And she'll be having such amazing sex on her Love Swing, that she'll probably launch into a sales pitch.

From my fantasies to my dreams - dream weekend getaway that is. I followed a link one day to the Willows Inn:

Located near Bellingham, WA, nestled in the northwest corner of Whatcom County, sits Lummi Island, home of The Willows Inn, an historic Bed and Breakfast retreat. Its organic fine dining is consistent with Slow Food, making The Willows Inn one of the most sought after B&Bs in the San Juan islands. The most northeastern island in the famous San Juan Island chain, Lummi is easily reached by a 6-minute ferry ride. The journey is beautiful with silhouettes of Lummi’s sister isles jutting from the sea. Once at the Willows you will find yourself in a unique hide-away, rich with natural beauty, local charm and an individual flavor all its own.

7. Get Away for Romance at The Willows Inn, 2 nights in the Cottage, (option of breakfast in bed,) elegant chocolates and champagne in your room, 2 hot stone massage treatments, and a Willows Inn gift basket to take home with you. $795, Or for more luxury and excitement, make your stay in the Guest House. $1,000

I dream of places like this. Someday...

Again, if you've got a favorite bed & breakfast for a romantic weekend getaway, please share it in the comments.

Now for the final three, and these are easy, fun, and inexpensive.

8. The Book of Questions and The Book of Questions: Love & Sex, $6.95 & $5.95 respectively from Amazon. These little books are a great way to get a conversation rolling for increased intimacy and understanding.

9. Hoops & Yoyo sticky notes (set of 6), $14.95 from Hallmark. Never underestimate the power of the sticky note! Little "I love yous" or "Good luck today" or "Can't wait to see you tonight." On the mirror or in the briefcase or next to a bookmark. A lifetime of happiness peppered with sweet thoughts and thinking of yous, regularly communicated. That's powerful stuff.

Sure, you could buy the plain kind at the office supply store, but what fun is that?

And finally, the couple who plays together, stays together, and sometimes we're literally talking games. Scrabble and Backgammon are old stand-bys, but I've got a couple newer suggestions for you:

10. Lost Cities and Hive, $13.77 and $22.46 respectively from Thought Hammer. It's hard to find good little two-player games that are quick, simple, fun and can be played over and over, and both these games fit the bill beautifully. Hunky Actor Boyfriend and I enjoy both these games.

You know, when we're not using our Love Swing.

I'm so kidding.

For now.

I hope you enjoyed my gift list!

Contributing editor Liz Rizzo also blogs at Everyday Goddess.

BlogHer - Ten Gifts To Improve Your Relationship. And Maybe Your Sex Life, too. - Comments

Thanks Liz for the great suggestions

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Hi liz

Hello, Competitiveness

Great list! My husband and I

Ten Gifts To Improve Your Relationship. And Maybe Your Sex Life, too.