Archive for the ‘Body and Soul’ Category

In the spirit and the wake of what some believe to be that hallowed Hallmark holiday, Valentines Day, I am heartened that some people, particularly, Polka Dot Bride, gets the true meaning of V-day, Charlie Brown. Valentine’s Day is for every day, not just that box of chocolates that you and your derriere can do without. It’s the tiny acts of kindness and understanding that matter, not pandering to the altar of consumerism. In the theater of love and romance, Ms. Polka Dot sets us straight. Lights please!

Carolyn Gerin

Valentine's Day is for every day says Ms. Polka Dot.

Love is supposed to provide a haven from the stresses of life, the real or imagined sleights, the difficult day.

How do we best show another person that we love them deeply and sincerely without thought as to what we might get out of it ourselves? Is it in the ‘grand gesture’ – the $200 bunch of red roses on Valentine’s Day, or the perfect diamond bracelet?

Or is it in the little things – the foot rub while watching TV, the load of washing that is done, hung out and put away without asking, or the surprise ‘picnic’ on the lounge room floor after the kids have been put to bed?

We all have our own ‘love’ styles. Some express their love for another by being bold and ebullient in their ‘love’ gestures, some are reserved and only show love in private moments, and some – well – you have to search high and low and suddenly when you least expect it – a loving touch or a look!

I once overheard a conversation where a woman stated that her husband was always buying her things – whatever she asked for and some she didn’t.  At first I thought – wow – that would be nice! Then I started thinking about it. Love for me is not to be ‘bought’. It is in the compliments given only occasionally, but when they are given, they are heartfelt and sincere. It is in the non – judgemental ear and a shoulder to cry on.  The look that passes between you, the unexpected touch of the hand – yes, the really simple things. Yet it is these things that are often so hard to give, as we get caught up in our own inner lives.

Sometimes to add sparkle to your relationship, step outside your comfort zone and do something you would not normally do for the person you love. Not necessarily the diamond bracelet (but that would be REALLY nice!), but a warm and heartfelt gesture that is worth a thousand diamond bracelets.

About Polka Dot Bride

Polka Dot Bride is Australia’s premier wedding blog and is read by thousands of brides worldwide. Polka Dot Bride is ranked within the top 20 Australian Women Bloggers and #53 out of the Top 100 Australian Bloggers as of June 2009. Polka Dot Bride has a passion to provide information on the latest trends in weddings, and inspirational and creative ideas for the Australian bride.
Ms Polka Dot’s aim is to create a fun, informative, and stylish blog that is engaged with, and inclusive of, its readers. She writes a daily feature on the blog that includes new ideas, real weddings, fabulous finds and the beautiful and the inspirational. Polka Dot Bride readers are stylish and savvy; they want to make their wedding stand out from the crowd. Ms. Polka Dot’s aim is to inspire brides and grooms to create the wedding of their dreams.

Cute, flirty, sexy and fiscally savvy: Affinitas...

Affinitas Intimates Sexy or sweet?  Take your pick with fun, flirty and affordable lingerie, sleep & lounge wear perfect for brides this Spring/Summer.

Producing high quality lingerie at refreshingly accessible prices, the Affinitas Intimates label is comprised of bras, panties, camisoles, babydolls, chemises, and bustiers, each item designed by the Affinitas team to be stylish, comfortable, well-made and most importantly well-fitting.  Currently retailing at specialty, boutique and online stores in the U.S. and Canada, bras retail for $23-$35, panties from $8 – $18, camisoles $25-$58, and babydolls, chemises and bustiers for $25-$45.  The collection utilizes high-quality, soft materials sourced from all over the world to provide maximum comfort, such as cotton, microfiber, satin, French embroidered laces and even technologically advanced seamless materials that are stitch free, seam free and label free. Affinitas offers consumers a wide range of basic, everyday styles as well as special occasion pieces, targeting young, fashionable women aged 20 – 35 years old with an annual income level of $25,000 and up who want stylish, comfortable, high-quality lingerie at prices that won’t break the bank. Affinitas Intimates’ bras and bustiers span a size range of 30-38 A-DD, with all other items sized XS-XL.

Pieces retail from $8 – $58 in numerous boutiques throughout the United States as well as online at HerRoom.com and LaurenSilva.com.  Please visit www.affinitasintimates.com for the full store locator.