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Tag: Valentines Day

  • Reddit 1-800 Flowers Ad Goes Viral

    Reddit 1-800 Flowers Ad Goes Viral

    “Our ads on Reddit have gotten a lot of traction and puts a big smile on people’s faces,” says 1-800 Flowers CEO Chris McCann. “That’s what we’re trying to do is just make sure we’re relevant and create that cognitive speed bump when people think about our company. They see something different and I’m thrilled with the creative team for coming up with something like that.”

    Reddit Ad That Went Viral for 1-800-Flowers.com

    As usual, some opinionated Redditers expressed their thoughts on the ads:

    1-800 Flowers CEO discusses the company’s growth that was accelerated by the pandemic:

    Ecommerce Growth Accelerated During Pandemic

    What we’ve seen is an acceleration of growth in our company that began back in 2018 and really then accelerated even further in 2020 with the pandemic. It’s driven by the need for us as people to connect and express ourselves. As a company whose vision is to inspire more human expression, connection, and celebration, and as an ecommerce leader, we’re well-positioned in the trends that we see coming out of this pandemic. We think these trends are sustainable going forward.

    We started out as one flower shop many years ago. What we’ve done is created this e-commerce platform for growth, a platform for expression, connection, and celebration. It starts with this all-star family of brands that we have led by Harry & David, 1-800-Flowers, Cheryl’s Cookies, Shari’s Berries, and our recent acquisition just this past August of Personalization Mall. You see us now as a company in the expression and connection business with a leadership position in floral, a leadership position in gourmet food gifting, and certainly now leadership and position in expressions and personalized items which is a fast-growing market.

    You’ll continue to continue to see us grow by organic product development of products that help customers express and connect. And as we’ve done through acquisition, adding to that platform and leveraging that platform that we’ve built.

    Need To Express and Connect Is a Lasting Trend

    Hopefully, the vaccines accelerate and we turn to some sense of normalcy sooner rather than later. As we look at our business, the momentum we saw began in 2018 and 2019 and then accelerated with the pandemic. We’ve been on a good momentum growth even before the pandemic and we really see ourselves now as a bigger stronger company than we were prior to it. We’ve acquired Personalization Mall just this past August and by putting it on our platform and leveraging our digital marketing expertise we accelerated the growth of that company. It grew by 50 percent this last quarter.

    A year ago August we acquired Shari’s Berries and took a business that was stagnant and losing money to now one that’s got a nice growth rate and is generating a nice contribution margin as well. If we just keep our focus on what the consumer is looking for to help express and connect then we’ll be continuing to see double-digit growth for some time to come. That trend that we’ve all learned from being isolated, our need to express and connect is a lasting trend coming out of this pandemic along with the shift from offline to online.

    1-800 Flowers Ecommerce Growth Accelerated During Pandemic

  • Vanessa Hudgens And Boyfriend Under Investigation For Defacing Nat’l Park

    Vanessa Hudgens and boyfriend Austin Butler are under investigation for carving their names and a heart in one of Arizona’s rock formations on Valentine’s Day.

    Hudgens and Butler spent their Valentine’s Day vacation at the park in Sedona, Arizona, with the actress posting Instagram photos of their weekend getaway. In one of the photos, a carving on a red rock bearing their names and a heart, caught the attention of the Coconino National Forest management. Hudgens later on deleted the controversial photo.

    “This incident is currently under investigation, so there is not much we can share specifically,” Brady Smith of the U.S. Forest Service told People. “However, we can say that the issue of people carving their names and other things in rocks in the Sedona and surrounding area is always a challenge we face and try to educate people about. We have found that when one person carves something, it encourages others to carve.”

    Smith explained that carving of any kind is prohibited under Title 36 of CFR 261.9 (a) Damaging any natural feature or other property of the United States. Hudgens and Butler could pay a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or face six months imprisonment. Smith added that the department will continue to investigate their case and find witnesses.

    However, it is still unknown whether the authorities have found a heart carving similar to the one Vanessa Hudgens posted on Instagram. Smith also admitted that he does not know if there were any signs in the area to inform people of the law.

    The Valentine’s Day trip came after the actress earned tons of praises for her performance as Betty Rizo on Grease Live! Vanessa Hudgens performed after her father Greg died of cancer the day before the show. She previously said she would perform “in his honor,” according to People.

  • Jennifer Garner Shared Valentine’s Day With Ben Affleck At Ski Resort, Actress Still Not Ready For New Relationship

    Actress Jennifer Garner is finally moving forward after her split with former husband Ben Affleck, and she seems to be enjoying her life again.

    A source told People that Jennifer Garner has finally been able to focus on herself after ending her ten-year marriage to Ben Affleck.

    The actress is said to be working hard to adjust to her new life. “She made an effort to start the year fresh, and she is having a good year so far,” shared the insider. “She doesn’t find her private life ideal, but she has accepted it.”
    However, it does not mean Jennifer Garner is ready to get involved in a new romantic relationship. The source added: “It’s hard to picture her dating before the divorce is finalized.”

    A source close to Ben Affleck claims that the actor is also not dating anyone. The two are putting their differences aside so they can focus on their children. Garner and Affleck have “found a new normal where they get along and work together for the sake of the kids,” a source told Page Six. In fact, they spent Valentine ’s Day together with their children at a ski resort despite Ben Affleck’s rumored romance with nanny Christine Ouzounian.

    Jennifer Garner Finds Out About Ben Affleck’s Alleged Affair With Nanny

    The family stayed at the exclusive Yellowstone Club in Big Sky with their friends Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck were friendly and relaxed, the Page Six source said of the former couple.

    The exes have not yet signed their divorce papers, and sources believe it could take a long time for the divorce to be finalized. Both parties are slowly getting used to their new lives.

    “They are doing it their own way,” an insider close to the ex-couple explained. “And that way works for them right now.”

  • Nanigans Looks At Facebook Ads’ Impact On Valentine’s Day Shopping

    Nanigans released some research this week about online shopping ahead of Valentine’s Day – specifically the role of Facebook ads. They looked at patterns from last year, finding that men are last minute shoppers, for one.

    “If there is a day outside of Christmas where a sizable percentage of Americans are expecting gifts, it’s Valentine’s Day,” writes Andrew Waber, Nanigans Market Insights and Media Relations Manager. “But unlike the holiday season where most Americans make their purchases weeks or months in advance, U.S. purchase and ad spend data indicate that advertisers are most focused on — and see the best results from — last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers.”

    Last year, Nanigans says ecommerce purchase raes from Facebook ads rose by 47% during Valentine’s Day week. Return on ad spend climbed 84%.

    Waber adds, “Of course, all advertisers are expecting active shoppers during this period, so where is the remaining opportunity? Let’s look at the changes in purchases and advertiser spend the week of Valentine’s Day as compared to the same day during the surrounding two weeks. Notably, the number of daily purchases rises pretty significantly early in Valentine’s Day week, but advertiser spend doesn’t begin to truly mirror that activity until February 11th.”

    Take a look at this post from Andrew Waber for additional insights.

    Images via Facebook, Nanigans

  • Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Martin Upset His Ex With PDA

    Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Martin reportedly caused quite the stir when they showed up together at Harry Styles’ 21st birthday party together.

    The couple have been dating since last summer, so their presence together was not surprising.

    However, it was apparently difficult for Alexa Chung, who also attended the party and who Martin dated for a brief time after his split with Gwyneth Paltrow, to see Martin with Jennifer Lawrence.

    The British fashionista was “totally thrown” by their lovey-doveyness.

    “Alexa hadn’t seen Chris since they dated last year and was totally thrown when he walked in holding hands with Jennifer Lawrence. She avoided them all night and got a little upset in front of friends, saying how hard it was to see Chris with someone else,” a source said.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ_snHiRZ9I

    It wasn’t just seeing Chris Martin with someone else. It was seeing him be very flirtatious with Jennifer Lawrence that really did it.

    “Chris and Jennifer were really tactile with each other, which left Alexa feeling even more hurt,” an insider said.

    The insider added, “She tried to say hello to him while Jennifer was talking to other friends but told her pals it was really awkward.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ_snHiRZ9I

    Well, at least none of the couple’s exes had to see them faun over each other on Valentine’s day.

    Chris Martin reportedly spent the special day on the beach with Gwyneth Paltrow and their kids, Moses, 8, and Apple, 10.

    A source said, “[They] spent several hours on the beach. Gwyneth and Chris were friendly, but they always are. Chris spent most of the time with the kids in the ocean, and Gwyneth stayed with friends on the beach. Chris even surfed with the kids. He is a great dad and very patient.”

    Jennifer Lawrence stayed in Boston to work on her new movie, Joy, but filming was postponed after the snow hit.

    But, she wasn’t alone.

    Jennifer Lawrence had a Galentine’s day date with some friends.

    What do you think about Alexa Chung getting so upset seeing Chris Martin with Jennifer Lawrence?

  • Patrick Schwarzenegger, Miley Cyrus: Valentine Bliss

    Patrick Schwarzenegger and Miley Cyrus enjoyed their first Valentine’s Day together this weekend, and it seems they achieved pure Valentine bliss. The son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver has come under fire recently for becoming involved with Miley Cyrus, but the two really seem very happy. Their romantic day seemed perfectly appropriate for the 21 and 22-year olds.

    Patrick Schwarzenegger took to Instagram to share his Valentine’s Day bliss. He shared a photo of himself with the ‘Wrecking Ball’ singer.

    Miley was even dressed appropriately. That’s not something Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus’s daughter is known for either.

    “Luckiest guy in the world,” Patrick Schwarzenegger wrote when captioning the following shot.

    Not one to be outdone, Miley Cyrus shared her own Instagram shots–one of her with Patrick Schwarzenegger and another with an impressive balloon arrangement he gave her for Valentine’s Day.

    A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on

    Miley captioned this photo, “I woke up like dis #happyvalentinesday.”

    A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on

    Despite recent criticism, you must admit that Miley Cyrus and Patrick Schwarzenegger make an adorable couple. Do you think she will be a bad influence on him or might he turn the bad girl a little bit better instead?

    Sources say Miley is taking this relationship–that started back in November–slow. Since her split from Liam Hemsworth, she has been a bit relationship shy.

    “Miley learned her lesson the hard way the first time and is being extra cautious about this relationship,” a source told People magazine earlier in February. “She doesn’t want to get her heart broken again.”

    She doesn’t appear shy when she is either spotted in public or in these photos with Patrick Schwarzenegger.

    What do you make of this unlikely couple?

  • Benedict Cumberbatch And Sophie Hunter Are Married

    Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter were married Saturday, on Valentine’s Day, at a tiny church in a small town in England.

    The quaint setting is right on par for Benedict Cumberbatch and his lady love, who first whispered their engagement via a small announcement in the Times, as is tradition.

    Their wedding was small, intimate, and low-key, just fitting for the location.

    Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter chose to be wed at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Mottistone, located on the Isle of Wight in England. It is a crumbling, beautiful old church that was constructed in the 12th century.

    A townsperson told People, “The church is not that big … I would say maybe 100 people maximum would fit in there. It’s a beautiful setting and very old English, very quaint and pretty.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9yE9w2IyJA

    An undoubtedly lovely reception followed at Mottistone Manor, to which Hunter reportedly has a special connection to.

    Sources say Benedict Cumberbatch’s blushing bride is related to the Nicholson family, who live on the estate and who are descendants of the 1st Lord Mottistone.

    The organist at the church revealed, “Seely family or Nicholson family now are tenants or residents even though they’re the hereditary landowners.”

    The organist continued, “Seely Family are the Lords and Ladies but they’ve sold their house to the National Trust. They live there or live on as tenants. They must have some sort of special agreement with the National Trust.”

    Who knew Benedict Cumberbatch was marrying into such an interesting family?

    Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter confirmed last month that they are expecting their first child together through his rep.

    “I am delighted to confirm that Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are expecting their first child. They are both over the moon,” the statement read.

    What an exciting time for Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter!

    What do you think of the setting for Benedict Cumberbatch’s wedding?

  • Chromecast Users Get $6 In Google Play Credit

    It’s never been a better time to own a Chromecast, Google’s $35 streaming device. Not only does the functionality of the device continue to improve thanks to updates from Google as well as increased support by third-party apps, but Google is actually giving away $6 in Google Play credit to users, apparently for Valentine’s Day.

    You have to be on the same network as your Chromecast to scoop up the deal. While I’m away from my device at the moment (so I can’t confirm the experience myself at the time of this writing), multiple reports indicate that you can access the credit by going to this link or by opening the Chromecast app, tapping the device, and going to “Check for Offers”. From there, you confirm your Chromecast’s serial number, and then you get the deal.

    TechCrunch reports that people who own multiple Chromecasts say they’ve been able to redeem the offer once for each device.

    While you can presumably use the Google Play credit for whatever you like, $6 can go a long way when it comes to renting a VOD movie or two that might not yet be available on DVD or Blu-ray.

    Google recently added Guest Mode to Chromecast, enabling people to more easily cast to other people’s televisions. Chromecast also picked up support from Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and Sesame Street apps.

    Image via YouTube

  • Kaley Cuoco: First Valentine’s Day as Married Woman

    Kaley Cuoco enjoyed her first Valentine’s Day as a married woman this past Friday. Do you suppose she and hubby Ryan Sweeting enjoyed the kind of PDA they engaged in during their recent dinner date with friends–as seen in the above video clip? It’s quite likely, actually, given the photos Cuoco-Sweeting shared of the two of them on Friday. She dubbed Valentine’s Day a “gooey, silly love kinda day.”

    The two went out for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, and it seems they may have kept their hands and lips off one another long enough to actually enjoy the cuisine.

    Kaley shared evidence that the two could sit nicely at a table in a restaurant together, as the two enjoyed a fancy dinner on Valentine’s Day. And their table behavior was quite discreet. But don’t worry, fans, you’ll get to see the “gooey, silly” photos, too.

    This Instagram picture Kaley–who now officially goes by Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting–shared depicts “gooey, silly love kinda day” at its very best.

    She also shared a mushy Valentine’s Day photo with someone she dubbed “the other man in my life.”

    Kaley Cuoco only tied the knot with the pro tennis player this past New Year’s Eve. Sweeting proposed to Kaley after they had dated for just three months. She, of course, is best known for her role on The Big Bang Theory. The couple no doubt make a big bang when telling their friends and family members of their wedding plans.

    Despite their lack of time together before their marriage, they have no doubt been making the very best of it ever since. Both Kaley and Ryan’s photos depict a couple that is very much in love. May their very first Valentine’s Day spent together as husband and wife represent the first of many the two will enjoy in the years to come.

    Image via Instagram

  • Depression: Valentine Envy Vs. Lack Of Self-Love

    Are you feeling blue on the day of red candy hearts?

    It’s alright. We’re all a bit blue – mostly because it’s freezing and our toes lost circulation around the same time we lost our sight of our cars underneath the snow. What’s that? You live somewhere sunny and beautiful and you don’t know what “snow” is? Well, congratulations! You’ve just found one silver lining for yourself that wasn’t at the forefront of your consciousness a moment ago.

    That’s a good start for thinking outside of the chocolate candied box.

    Single or not, most of us don’t want to be miserable. It’s just really hard to change our thoughts, and the solution is sometimes so simple that we don’t believe it can serve us. I too have days where I want to wallow in isolation and spread verbal venom. The trick that usually helps is to try and sort out the source of our icky inclinations. Then, we can alter our perceptions and reclaim our true sense of what “love” means.

    We often turn “love” into a reductive fantasy reality can’t match.

    “As children, we learn that you need to find your prince charming to ‘live happily ever after,’” says University of Toronto researcher Stephanie Spielmann. She adds, “and as adults, there are many negative images of those who don’t have a relationship, such as the ‘crazy cat lady’ or the ‘spinster’.”

    Preach, sister.

    Admittedly, our culture is responsible for some stellar stuff – like smartphones and these amazing shoes you can’t see me wearing. However, many of us had TV as a part time babysitter, dinner host, and background noise growing up. So, is it any wonder we morphed into an army of maladaptive daydreamers who held every real-world (no, not the MTV show) interaction to some Platonic ideal we saw played out repeatedly on a screen?

    Seriously, though: how boring would love be if it were always like movie montages?

    It’d be predictable and cyclical and we’d miss out on all the spontaneity. Did you ever grow from a relationship that was all smiles, hair blowing in a convertible, hand-holding, and no hurt feelings? No way! The contrast of the ups and downs is what makes our dynamics real and exciting.

    Also, why is it that when we hear “love”, we often equate it to romance?

    “Perhaps if we widened what the holiday meant, it might be different,” Sandra Faulkner, a relationship researcher at Bowling Green State University in Ohio says. She went on to add, “Who’s against love? We could probably all use more love.”

    This Lennon logic actually isn’t a bad outlook for singles and couples alike.

    When we make just one person too exclusively special, everything around us becomes boring in comparison – especially when they’re not around. God forbid they fall from the pedestal on which we put them; our lives suddenly change from a Katy Perry soundtrack to Nirvana with nihilistic Facebook overshares. Sound familiar? It might sound strange, so bear with me, but love in its true sense can actually be found in far more of our interactions.

    It could mean we hang out with loved ones (versus issuing empty ILY’s via text). It could mean killing two birds with one stone while connecting in nature (not literally, but by doing anything from skiing to just walking the dog).

    It could also be through service (whether it’s offering to help an old lady to her car or donating time at a homeless shelter). Also, we can release our demons through writing, vlogging, blogging – any general cognitive de-fogging. Sometimes the world looks a lot less hostile after we put a label on the stuff we’d rather not share.

    See? It’s so simple that it’s annoying.

    It’s also annoying because we have to make an effort. The steps to self-love are so daunting we may not want to do them at all. But relationships are even harder because there’s a whole separate human being whose feelings we have to consider. That’s hard to do if we’re distracted by the misery we don’t acknowledge and blame on “anger” – a far more ego-sensitive ascription than “fear”.

    Thus, the best solution is to work on being cool solo (yes, that includes observing happy people without grumbling invectives) before we start trolling match.com for unsuspecting victims of all the baggage we haven’t yet claimed from the curmudgeon carousel.

    So, the next time you see a couple cozied up like Lady and the Tramp and cocooned in saccharine passion for each other, try not to take it personally. They aren’t some chimeric monster sent from below to extract your happiness and replace it with coruscating resentment.

    They’re just two people.

    They make mistakes, likely annoy each other daily, and their morning halitosis isn’t any more aromatic than yours. They themselves may have even envied other relationships the way you’re envying theirs. What makes a couple successful, though, is acceptance. Each accepts themselves enough to like the person on the other side of that noodle – for who they are. No one has any ethereal-level happiness through a relationship to which you don’t already have access yourself.

    (image)

    So, take a good look in the mirror like Buffalo Bill in the TV version of Silence of the Lambs, consider your strengths and weaknesses, and ask yourself: “Would you love me?” Your reply should always be an affirmative: “I’d love me.”

    When it is, you’re totally ready for a long-term Valentine…unless, of course, you’re wrapped in a human hide when you say it.

    Have a beautiful day, singles and couples!

    Image 1, Image 2 via Wikimedia Commons

  • Google Puts Valentine’s Day-Themed CAPTCHAs All Over The Web

    Google is really getting into the spirit of Valentine’s Day this year. Not only did they have a doodle, they had a different doodle for the U.S. than they did the rest of the world, and it was a very unique one with audio recordings of people telling “real” love stories.

    But it doesn’t end there. Google’s reCAPTCHA of all things is celebrating the day by injecting some Valentine’s Day fun into its puzzles all over the Internet. Across the U.S., it’s sharing CAPCTCHAs like these:

    “But wait. These look really easy. Does this mean that those pesky bots are going to crack these easy CAPTCHAs and abuse our favorite websites? Not so fast,” Google says in a blog post. “A few months ago, we announced an improved version of reCAPTCHA that uses advanced risk analysis techniques to distinguish humans from machines. This enabled us to relax the text distortions and show our users CAPTCHAs that adapt to their risk profiles. In other words, with a high likelihood, our valid human users would see CAPTCHAs that they would find easy to solve. Abusive traffic, on the other hand, would get CAPTCHAs designed to stop them in their tracks. It is this same technology that enables us to show these Valentine’s Day CAPTCHAs today without reducing their anti-abuse effectiveness.”

    “But that’s not all. Over the last few months, we’ve been working hard to improve the audio CAPTCHA experience,” the company adds. “Our adaptive CAPTCHA technology has, in many cases, allowed us to relax audio distortions and serve significantly easier audio CAPTCHAs. We’ve served over 10 million easy audio CAPTCHAs to users worldwide over the last few weeks and have seen great success rates. We hope to continue enhancing our accessibility option in reCAPTCHA in the months to come.”

    You can listen to a sample of that here.

    Image via Google

  • Valentine’s Day Google Doodle Shares Love Stories From Real People

    Google’s Valentine’s Day doodle for the U.S. is unlike any other Doodle the company has offered before. The search engine has offered interactive doodles many times, but this one presents a series of candy hearts, each telling a different love story.

    “For Valentine’s Day, as people everywhere search for love – something a search engine might not be the ideal tool for – each of these candy hearts brings you a true story of love,” a voice tells you when you click on one. “These are real people.”

    After that initial click, you can click on each one to listen.

    The homepage also invites users to “share a special moment” with their Valentine. This takes you to a Disney Blank create-a-card application, which lets you send a card to your sweetie.

    Google Doodle

    Google is offering users in other parts of the world a different doodle:

    Images via Google

  • Valentine’s Day: Make Her Happy Without Spending A Dime

    While everyone is out rushing around to find the perfect last minute gift for Valentine’s Day, many men are worried about how much they should spend and don’t even have an idea as to what to buy their girlfriend or wife for Valentine’s Day. Before you have a nervous breakdown or opt to spend a lot of money on a gift you aren’t sure about, think about all of the things you could do to make your lady happy that wouldn’t cost a dime. Here are a few ideas.

    Pick Flowers
    Every lady likes flowers but bouquets can be expensive and at this point it could be too late to order from a deliver company and many local florists are likely sold out of all of the good flowers. Instead of spending a bunch of money on flowers, pick some from your own backyard or the roadside. Not only will your girl appreciate that you took the time to pick them yourself, the flowers will likely be healthier and prettier. Of course, if you live in an area that has colder weather in February or has been the location of one of the recent winter storms that have blown through the country, this may not be an option for you.

    Do Chores
    Your wife asks you to do chores all year long and admit it, you rarely do them all in a timely manner. This Valentine’s Day surprise her and clean the house. Wait until she goes to work, or to the gym or do it before she wakes up. Be sure to do all of the little things like wipe the sinks, make the bed and vacuum under furniture. Light a candle and show off your work. Your lady will be happier than ever that she can just take the day off from cleaning and relax.

    Watch The Kids
    In most situations, the mother has the kids more than the father. If this is the case in your family, give the mother of your children a break and let her have some time to focus on herself. Take the kids to the park or to a grandparent’s house and give her some time alone. Run her a nice hot bubble bath, light some candles and play some soft music. If you are lucky she will ask you to join her.

    It can be hard to figure out what to get a woman for Valentine’s Day and how much you should spend. Money isn’t everything and you can make your girl just as happy without spending a lot of it. Try one or all of these three free suggestions and see what happens.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.

  • Bing: Atlanta Is The Nation’s Leader In Romantic Searches

    What’s a romantic search? Is it a Web search for a dating site? Or perhaps tips on how to set up the perfect date? Whatever they are, Bing is tracking them.

    Bing revealed on Wednesday that it has tracked romantic searches across the nation and compiled a list of the cities that search for romance the most. Atlanta, Georgia came out on top with the most romantic searches with Washington, D.C. and Detroit, Michigan trailing behind in second and third place respectively.

    Once again, Bing doesn’t come out and say what exactly constitutes a romantic search. We’ll just leave what Georgians and Washington, D.C. residents think is romantic up to the imagination then.

    As for the least romantic cities, Tampa Bay, Florida leads the pack as retirement villages are probably not brimming with romance. Following it are Austin, Texas and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in second and third place respectively.

    For a full list of the most romantic and least romantic cities in the states, check out the map below:

    Atlanta Is The Nation's Leader In Romantic Searches

    Alongside romantic searches, Bing has also compiled a list of the most searched for dating sites. As expected, the top three are Plenty of Fish, Match.com and OK Cupid. Here’s the full list:

    1. Plenty of Fish
    2. Match.com
    3. OK Cupid
    4. Christian Mingle
    5. Zoosk
    6. OurTime
    7. eHarmony
    8. Badoo
    9. Datehookup.com
    10. SpeedDate.com

    For those of you who are lonely on Valentine’s Day, you might just start searching for famous couples to stare longingly at and wonder why you’re such a dateless loser. To make it easier on you, Bing has a collection of the top 10 most searched for couples as well:

    1. Victoria and David Beckham
    2. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
    3. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
    4. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
    5. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
    6. Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen
    7. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
    8. Kate Middleton and Prince William
    9. Jay Z and Beyoncé
    10. Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake

    On a final note, Bing has reduced the cost of the $15 ProFlowers eCoupon on its Bing Rewards site. The reward normally costs 525 credits, but it’s now only 100 credits up through February 15.

  • Valentine’s Day: A Gift Guide for Your Love

    Valentine’s Day: A Gift Guide for Your Love

    Valentine’s Day definitely means big business for flower shops, but sometimes it’s nice to go beyond the traditional–or even in addition to it–and find the perfect gift for that special someone. And then there are the guys. Guys don’t necessarily want flowers for Valentine’s Day. Check out some of the following ideas and see if something strikes your fancy as the perfect Valentine’s gift for the person you love.

    Since most women’s wardrobes feature classic staples in black, almost anything complements the color and style. This makes it so easy it’s stupid when buying a trendy or classic top. A mohair sweater, a cashmere cardigan, or a silk blend shirt in a bright print or hue will all jazz up basic black beyond her wildest dreams.

    Wrap dresses are very popular this year and are flattering to every body type. Your lady won’t think you’re trying to dress her up like a young, sexy 25-year-old when she’s 43 and 20 pounds overweight. It’s a no-brainer. Plus they’re easy to find. Almost every decent department store or clothing line features a wrap dress.

    If you’re not brave enough to buy clothing, consider something trendy to complement clothing instead. Scarves are big right now and if you buy one in silk or with a haute couture moniker attached to it, she will wear it for years to come. Jewelry, of course, is a very popular option, but can be a tricky one, too. Anything remotely resembling an engagement ring can spell big trouble for the guy who isn’t ready to take that plunge. Stick with necklaces, bracelets or earrings. Pins have made a comeback, too, and are especially trendy when purchased in a vintage or antiques shop.

    Rich leather handbags speak volumes to most women, as do small, chic bags they can carry for evenings on the town. As with the scarves the make and/or model are of imperative consideration here. Stick with real leather or a popular name brand. Coach or Dooney & Bourke are usually safe bets.

    As for the gentlemen–ladies actually have a more difficult time shopping for Valentine’s Day than they do. Guys do have those roses to fall back on, but not all guys would be thrilled to receive a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day. So ladies, check out one of these ideas.

    Beyond the obvious gifts of cologne or sexy lingerie that you wear for him, consider luxe pajamas. Not many guys go beyond the typical flannel or knit pajama pants when buying for themselves, so consider a designer pair made of something soft and comfortable. If his laptop goes everywhere he does, consider a nice leather case.

    Don’t negate “His & Hers” options for Valentine’s Day gifts either. A weekend away, a couple’s massage or tickets to an event you’ll both enjoy make perfect Valentine’s Day gifts.

    Now that you’re armed and ready with several options, it’s important to note that time is of the essence. Valentine’s Day is February 14th. So get shopping.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Michael Ealy Talks Shaping Up For New Film ‘About Last Night’

    Michael Ealy’s gorgeous smile and captivating blue eyes never go unnoticed! The man is definitely easy on the eyes. However, his handsome looks and impeccable charm weren’t the only characteristics desired for his latest film About Last Night.

    According to the Boston Herald, Ealy actually needed to depict a slightly younger bachelor to provide an ideal depiction of his character Danny.

    “When this film came up, the studio wanted me to look 28,” said Ealy. The new romantic comedy captured the 40-year-old actor in a number of shirtless scenes, with occasional nudity. So, it was important that he physically embodied the stature of a 28-year-old bachelor. 

    The requirement may have been just a tab bit disconcerting for Ealy who shared that he’s never been told he looks a day over 35. But, nevertheless, he used the time he was allotted before filming began to shape up and tone his abs.

    “I personally feel like I do look 28 — I never have seen anyone who told me I looked over 35. So OK, I had three months.”

    (image)

    While the Almost Human actor has a number of notable film credits under his belt, About Last Night serves as a pivotal milestone in his acting career. It is Ealy’s first leading role in a film. The Sexual Perversity in Chicago reboot, which offers a contemporary perspective of sex, dating and relationships, is highly lauded and expected to be a massive box office success.

    So, Ealy quickly got to work, dieting and hitting the gym. The publication reports that the Think Like A Man actor committed himself to “a heavy dose of Olympic power lifting and a strict diet. The weight lifting was easy. The diet — no sugar, no salt, no carbs, way too much breast of chicken with no seasoning — that was the hardest.”

    However, once Ealy began filming it became obvious that the 25 pounds he shed was a bit too much. As a matter of fact, he revealed that he had become somewhat of an over-achiever with his health endeavor.

    “It got so bad (director) Steve Pink called and said, ‘It’s OK, your discipline is appreciated but we need you to eat because you’re beginning to look a little gaunt. Eat a pizza,’” he quipped. “I hadn’t been that small since high school. My wife (Khatira Rafiqzada) thought like the studio did, I lost a little too much.”(image)

    Ealy also gave a quick analysis contrasting the difference between the original film and the upcoming remake in which he co-stars with comedian-actor Kevin Hart.

    “This is a more in-depth look at relationships, at what makes them work or tears them apart,” he explained. “It’s not the highly romanticized version that happens only in the movies. It’s raunchy, it’s vulgar, it’s more real. That is what relationships can be, and I think people will see this and say, ‘That’s how it is.’

    About Last Night hits theaters nationwide on Valentine’s Day this Friday, Feb. 14.

    Image via Facebook | About Last Night (1) (2) (3)

  • Valentine’s Day – Romantic Dinner Ideas

    Thinking about staying home for Valentine’s Day? Are you looking to save money or maybe just don’t want to fight the traffic and long lines for restaurants? Don’t feel bad, cooking a meal at home for Valentine’s Day can be better than enjoying one in a restaurant, because it is more thoughtful and possibly better tasting. If you aren’t sure what to make, consider some of these romantic dinner ideas.

    Appetizers
    Start your meal off right with some appetizers. For many people, appetizers are intimidating, but you don’t have to make them difficult to make them good. Serve a simple tossed salad or a light soup. Consider the entrée you plan to serve and choose an appetizer that will compliment it. Breads with vegetable spreads or flavored butters are a great option and work well with any meal.

    Entrées
    Steak, seafood, chicken and pasta all make great Valentine’s Day dinner entrees and if you prepare them right, your date will be delighted. If you really want things to become romantic later in the evening, it is best to avoid garlic or other strong spices and flavors. For pastas, thinner, more delicate sauces are best. Grill your meats if possible to make them lighter and don’t be afraid to serve a few vegetables with your main course.

    Desserts
    Something about chocolate on Valentine’s Day just screams romance. Finish your romantic dinner with some decadent chocolate cake, brownies, cookies or pie. You can’t really pick the wrong thing when it comes to dessert. If you don’t have time to make the dessert yourself, check out the bakery at your local grocery store. You can find a variety of Valentine’s Day themed desserts and treats that will leave your lips tasting sweet.

    Drinks
    Champagne and wine are popular companions for most romantic dinners and if you do choose to serve these beverages, make sure you pair them well with your entrée. You an find wine pairing apps and websites that are easy to use and will ensure your entire meal flows well. Don’t feel obligated to serve alcohol. Sodas, tea, lemonade and other beverages are perfectly acceptable. Sparking fruit juices are a great alternative to champagne and work well with almost any meal.

    Table Setting
    Don’t just let your food do the talking, set the mood with a romantic table setting. Buy a nice red or pink tablecloth and bouquet of flowers for a centerpiece. Get out the good china and crystal stemware and make the dinner seem fancy. This will make it more romantic for both of you and will set the mood for the entire evening. You went to all that trouble preparing amazing food, show it off with a pretty table setting.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.

  • Super Easy DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts

    Super Easy DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts

    Looking to add that personalized touch to your Valentine’s gift this year? Check out some of these awesome ideas, perfect for everyone on your love list.

    These gifts range from sweet treats to impressive-looking crafts aimed to please everyone this Valentine’s Day. The best part? All of these wonderful gifts are homemade and under $20. You’ll not only impress, you’ll save some money!

    String and Nail Heart– This super easy DIY project will knock the socks of your Valentine this year. It’s easy to do but looks fancy and time-consuming. This is the perfect gift for a boy or girl that appreciates the artsy things in life. You can even replace the heart shape for initials or the popular state outline.

    Festive Candy Jars-This tasty treat is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Simply fill a jar with red and pink candy to make it look festive and fun! Add a bow or piece of string to complete the adorable look.

    Romantic Bath Bombs-Pamper the love of your life with this fun spa treat. Turn up the heat and run a bath for an even more enjoyable V-day.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEdyWWuVpcc

    Magnetic Fridge FramesLet your creative juices flow with this personalized project. You can even add pictures to the frames for an added sentimental touch.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G4v56ecD9I

    Personalized Bottle LabelsDress up your hunk’s favorite beverage with these cool labels. He’ll love you for the drinks and the personalized labels.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Flowers Online: Fresh To… Death?

    Flowers Online: Fresh To… Death?

    What would your gent or lady love say after receiving a bunch of dying roses from you on Valentine’s Day?

    This is something online flower delivery customers are asking themselves. The amorous Hallmark holiday has a way of sneaking up on us and doing to our wallets what cupid does to hearts. Thus, shopping online might seem like a reasonable and convenient workaround when we save our tokenistic gestures until the last moment. But flower delivery is a unique form of commerce inasmuch as the petal patrons never actually get to see or assess the product prior to its arrival at the recipient’s abode.

    So, the question is: are you getting what you’re paying for?

    According to TODAY, some businesses leave much to be desired. After ordering from some of the larger floral delivery companies like 1-800-Flowers, Teleflora, and FTD they noticed gross inconsistencies. Some of the arrangements arrived dying, some didn’t have the number of flowers promised, and – depending on location – whatever was ordered might be totally different from what was described online.

    For example, a $59.99 payment for one arrangement from 1-800-Flowers arrived in Illinois and New York looking fairly similar to the ad’s summary. The recipient said it was, “Very cool and modern, and a lot like the picture.” However, in Los Angeles, the recipient noticed a disparity in the number of lilies from what was promised: “While the ad shows eight lilies, the bouquet that showed up only has five,” adding: “If I’m paying for eight lilies, I don’t want five.”

    The arrival of an arrangement from the Teleflora in New York also included inconsistencies.

    With brown, wilting lilies, the $54.95 bouquet fell short of being worth the cost. The same arrangement that arrived in Illinois was put in a totally different vase. The store’s response when it was brought to their attention was that they were sorry but they reserved the right to make such substitutions.

    As for FTD, their $49.99 assembly of blooms arrived at the door of the Illinois location looking “a little sparse” and “not as tall”, according to the contact there. In L.A., results were not much more impressive, as the individual there described them as appearing also aged. Then, the New York location failed to deliver – and that’s not a figure of speech; they literally never showed up. FTD sent flowers and a refund after that episode.

    Each of these companies claim they “guarantee satisfaction,” and will offer refunds or replacements if a customer isn’t happy. But can you truly refund a gesture gone wrong? Also, it’s hard to imagine a person telling someone they adore, “Hey, thanks for the flowers, man. They looked like something out of the Adams Family movie.”

    All is not lost, though. 1-800-Flowers is planning a more plausible solution. If all goes well, you could see an actual picture of your posies before they leave the store. The company hopes to have that new technology ready to go in the next few weeks.

    Also, some surmise that a rise in the buying of artificial flowers may ensue for the upcoming holiday. Between the rising costs for real flowers and discontent over their quality, co-owener of K Flower Talk, a faux flower company, said:

    “Customers would usually complain about the steep hike on prices of blooms as Valentine’s Day approaches,” adding, “we are expecting them to switch to plastic flowers,” concluding that she expected sales to go up by 50% from last year.

    Dupe blooms could be good… so long as you use a line like this:

    But if a faux-quet just isn’t your style, it appears that real online flower delivery services aren’t to be entirely eschewed. You may just want to check the reviews first for your area so you can weed out any ones that sound like they might be a few roses short of a bouquet.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Engagement Rings- The Pros And Cons Of Valentine’s Day Engagements

    Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular times to get engaged. Not only is the mood already set, but you can kill two birds with one stone by buying your girlfriend an engagement ring on Valentine’s Day. Chances are you will already be enjoying some place romantic, so why not get down on one knee and make it official? Before you pop the big question, consider the pros and cons of a Valentine’s Day engagement.

    Timing
    For the rest of your life or at least your marriage, you will have to make sure Valentine’s Day gifts are good enough to cover the holiday and your anniversary. You will also have to fight the crowds at restaurants, hotels and theaters and all of the other young lovers who are trying to wow each other with the same romantic gestures. Are you sure you are up for it?

    Cliché
    Yes, a Valentine’s Day engagement sounds romantic but it also sounds a little cliché. How many couples do you know that were engaged on Valentine’s Day? It almost makes it seem like a copout, considering you will have to do very little to set the stage for the engagement. When you look back on your engagement or share the story with your children in 15 years will you still think it’s romantic?

    Reason
    If you are going to ask your girl to marry you, make sure it is for the right reason. Valentine’s Day can put a lot of pressure on couples and when you see other people buying rings and getting down on one knee, you may feel the need to do the same. If you are ready and have been considering engagement for a while, go ahead and do it, but make sure you aren’t buying that ring for the wrong reason.

    Cost
    Jewelry is a popular Valentine’s Day gift and this can either help or hurt your wallet. Many stores offer amazing Valentine’s Day deals and sales. Others, take advantage of the procrastinators and the desperate and will hike their prices up, knowing most guys won’t take the time to shop around or compare prices. If you have your heart set on a Valentine’s Day engagement, take the time to get a good price on the ring.

    Are you ready to leave the single life behind and put a ring on it? Valentine’s Day could be the right time, just make sure you consider all of these factors and others when deciding if now is the time to propose.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.

  • This Guy’s Wife Made Some ‘House Of Cards’ Valentine’s Cookies

    As you may know, House of Cards returns to Netflix with its second season on Valentine’s Day. As a result, a lot of dates are probably going to involve lovers sitting in living rooms watching hours of television.

    That is presumably the plan for this guy whose wife is preparing for the event with some House of Cards-themed Valentine’s cookies.

    Showrunner Beau Willimon and actress Constance Zimmer (Janine) approve:

    There’s a lot of excitement building around the second season. The parodies are even coming out already.

    Still, it won’t be an Underwood closing the NASDAQ on the 14th. Netflix is sending Clifford the Big Red Dog.

    Image via Twitter