How do you dress at home?

We all love to dress comfortable when we are at home. But is comfortable okay with your partner? Are old sweats with holes in them okay to spend the time with your partner in? This is a great debate question and I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle ground. We spend all week dressing up to go to work and yet the person we most want to impress we usually dress down for? Now I am not suggesting that you wear a three piece suit or a evening gown when you are running around the house. We need to find some happy medium. Go shopping and check out some of the nice looking work out gear or both men and women. You can find some really nice athletic gear that doesn't make you look like a slob. Brands such as Under Armor and Nike have some excellent choices that will keep you comfortable and looking like someone that would be great to snuggle down with. Some of the new materials are even great to feel so maybe if you find some of these items your partner might have a hard time keeping their hands off you. Don't throw away all your bumming clothes, keep them for days you don't feel well so that your partner knows you don't want to be bothered on these days.

Take in some sights.

When you are looking for something romantic to do and are short on funds you have to get a little creative. Something I find very romantic and extremely cheap is to just take a walking tour of a larger city. Most everyone lives within driving distance to a larger city if you don't live within one. Do a little research on some of the amazing architecture in this city and make a walking tour of these amazing buildings. You might just be amazed at how much great scenery is within the asphalt jungle of a larger city. In Chicago I know that you can view artwork just walking around downtown, not to mention Millennium Park that has several exciting attractions to watch and enjoy. Larger cities seem to try to entertain people more with their buildings and parks, so why not enjoy them. I don't think anyone would mind watching the sunset at Navy Pier or viewing some great artwork on a hand in hand walk. You just might find you will get addicted to sight seeing. Remember it doesn't cost to look and a picture is worth a thousand word, so those two things combined sound like a win win situation for your relationship.

How deep is your Love?

Do you really know the person you love? I am sure you have a pretty good idea of who your partner is now, but do you know what they were like before you knew them. I am not talking about a week before you knew them. I am looking at the time when they were a child or a young adult. This is going to take some doing on your part. You will have to find some people that knew them when they were this other person, that you didn't know. You can find out things like what their favorite toy was or how they acted in high school. Where they in any clubs or activities they participated in that might be something the two of you could do together. Maybe they were on the cycling team and you could start riding bikes together. Things like that could make a big impact on your relationship. I could also give you some ideas for gifts or things to do to cheer up your partner in bad times. Knowing a little background can never hurt your relationship. Once you partner knows you took the time to find a little more out about them they will think a little higher of you. A really good place to find out things is during family gathering, where uncles and aunts as well as cousins will definitely be willing to let you know the history of your partner.

A gift for the Men.

Ladies here is a little guide to help you purchase a gift for your man. I understand that not every man is the same so you might have to tailor your gift to your specific man. Here in my opinion are you never miss gifts. Number one is electronics most men love to get a new gadget and their are plenty of them to choose from. Number two is Sports Tickets most men like some sort of sports so pick his favorite team and surprise him with great seats. Last and the never fail item is some great sex. Purchase some great lingerie and treat him like he is a king at least for a day. If he doesn't like that then he is nuts. Maybe you can do something he is been dieing for you to do for a while, that will make his night even more special. Any of the gifts mentioned above will work wonders on showing your man how much you care about him.

Mark those Anniversaries.

One thing that will definitely show how romantic you are is to make sure you celebrate anniversaries. If you are in a new relationship it may sound a little silly. Showing someone that the days you met or your remember your first date will definitely impress your partner. Big anniversaries like the ones associated with weddings are a no brainer, if you don't remember them then you have a problem and your partner will most likely let you know that. However if you can just get a little care on the anniversary of your first date, you will get mega brownie points. For those of you about to embark on your first date with someone and you even remotely hit it off, make notes of the date. Write down things like what they were wearing, songs that you heard, the place that you ate, then in a couple of years if you are still together that will be very impressive. Don't trust your memory, it can fail you when you need it.

One the other hand don't over due it. That will only make you look like a weirdo. If you give them a card for the first time you took a walk together you partner might be wondering why they are with you in the first place. For the major anniversaries go all out and if you are on a fixed budget then work around it. Where there is a will there is a way. Get cheap flowers at the discount store and put them in a special vase, cook them a special meal, or just go on a long hand in hand walk. Those are the things that are important in a relationship. Sure jewelry and sports tickets are nice but they are fleeting but gazing into someones eyes at a sunset last forever.

Keep the Peace!

I understand some of you are in a new relationship and that maybe you haven't had any disagreements, yet! Well they are coming let me tell you. If you think that you will not have an argument at any time then you live in la la land and need to get help. Actually disagreements or fights are good for a relationship, after they are over you realize that you can disagree and still love each other. This is where a lot of people get confused. They think that because their partner doesn't agree with them they are doomed. Think about it this way do you stop being friends with your best friend because they like a different sports team then you? or they don't order the same meal as you? Differences are great in a relationship so embrace them and know that is what helps you keep your identity in the relationship.

When you do have that big blow up you need to know when it is time to let it go. Things can get heavy and I have seen couples not speak to each other for days. This is the silliest thing I have ever seen. A relationship can overcome a lot but you have to know when it is time to give up on standing your ground. Think about is your view more important then your relationship. Realize it is okay to have different opinions. Compromise if neither one of you can be swayed, it's not hard people, you just have to give a little. If you partner is important to you that shouldn't be that hard to do.

Keeping the Peace is a challenge sometimes, I will not kid you. It is however worth the struggles and effort to not let little differences keep your relationship from being it's best. Know that it is okay to fight all couples do it from time to time but just know when it is time to lay down the guns and hug each other.

Create a mood

We are so focused on the outcome of our dates and time together that we very seldom try to enhance our evenings. We rush around so much that we forget the maybe a little more time setting a mood might help in our romantic life. I am sure everyone is thinking right now about putting some candles in the bedroom or lighting a fire in the fireplace. Those are great mood setters but they are the common ones. I am going to challenge you, as I so often do, to create some non-traditional moods. Don't sweat it, I am going to give you some examples for you to feed off of.

Intimacy is a great place to set a mood. I want you to start way earlier though, in your date or evening together. The example I am going to use is to set a Mexican mood. Start out by cooking or going to a place that serves Mexican food. At home get some salsa and chips and whip up a Mexican feast. You can find all kinds of Mexican dishes on any recipe web page. If you go out make sure it isn't Taco Bell, go to a nice Mexican restaurant where they play music and have the place decorated just right. Now once you get home you can continue the mood by getting Mexican oriented movies, some that pop into my mind are Funny Cheech and Chong movies, or the Brad Pitt move The Mexican. Now for the fun part make sure to find some sombreros and Mexican blankets to spread out in your bedroom. Completing the night of Mexican mood. Also you can find some traditional Mexican music to play while you get intimate. You might get bonus point if you can speak Spanish. Imagine yourself make love while wearing a sombrero and shouting things out in Spanish.

Here is a second option. If you partner is into science fiction movies. You could rent a full night of the Star Wars Saga or which ever movie he or she is into. Then when it came time for the intimacy you could dress as a character form the movie. I know lots of men that have the princess lea fantasy. Personalize it to your partners favorite character. You could even get the Star Wars theme song to play in the back ground for the main event. Imagine....