Archive for July, 2009

Ok, it is date night and you don’t have a babysitter.  You are wondering how you can have a quite evening together because you are home with the kids. There are ways you can accomplish your much needed couple’s quite time and coordinating it is the key.
If they are young enough feed them first. While one of you is getting the kids ready for bed have the other pick up pizza and a movie. To save even more money pick up the movie and have a nice homemade dinner ready to serve. If your children are a little older but still need supervision and don’t go to bed as early, then see if you can hire a mature 10 or 11 year old to come in and sit with them. The 10 or 11 year old will love it because they have an opportunity to get experience babysitting and make a little money. You will like it because it won’t cost you as much money and you are still there and can supervise what is going on but not needing to be in the same room as the kids. Order pizza with the toppings they like and order another one for the two of you with the toppings you both like. Pick up a movie for them to watch while they eat their dinner, with strict instructions you are not to be bothered.
Once the children are in bed or have settled down to eat and watch a movie then it is your turn to sit down in a quite area of your house away from the kids. If you don’t have a separate dinning room then you can have dinner in your bedroom. Get a card table and put a table cloth and candles on it in your bedroom. Your children will be curious and will probably sneak down the hall and giggle a lot about how weird this is but that is OK because you are teaching them how to have quiet time together.
 Memories are made of this for both you and your children. Trust me they will laugh about this through the years until they are married and have children of their own. Because you have taught them how to have a good marriage they will know exactly what to do when they don’t have a babysitter. The strength of your marriage will be mirrored by your adult children.
Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

Romantic love songs help us say the things we want to say to the one we love.  They can set the mood for the evening and they bring back memories of special times past. In no particular order are 10 love songs that you may want to down load on a CD and play when you want to tell you spouse let’s make this evening special or just because you care about him/her. You could use this as your unspoken love signal for when you want to be intimate later in the evening. Your children will never figure it out.
• Just The Two Of Us—Barry White
• When I Fall In Love—Celine Dion
• Unforgettable—Nat King Cole
• Have I Told You Lately That I Love You—Van Morrison
• The Best Thing That Happened To Me—Gladys Knight
• This Kiss—Faith Hill
• The Power Of Love—Huey Lewis
• Just The Two Of Us—Bill Withers
• Let’s Just Kiss—Harry Connick, Jr
• My Funny Valentine—Frank Sinatra
Play these in the morning, afternoon or evening and create anticipation and desire for each other. You and your spouse will be smiling and singing all day. You’ll create a positive energy throughout the house and your children will feel it. Love songs make everyone feel good on the inside and they will feel good about what they see on the outside too. 
You don’t have to use the songs I have listed above, use the ones you and your spouse prefer. Remember to include “Your Song” that brings back special memories and create new memories with new songs.
Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

There is a chain of boutique hotels that are across the United States called Kimpton Hotel and they are running a special right now for Kimpton “In Touch Members.” All you need to do is go to their website and sign up for their newsletter and they will e-mail you special offers for In Touch Members only.

I just received a special offer for Hotel Palomar in Los Angeles/Westwood. Rates start at $122.00 per night with a round of brew. That’s 4 beers a night.  This also includes morning coffee and tea service in living room and hosted evening wine reception. You must book by August 9, 2009 for stays now through December 30, 2009. I looked at booking one night at the Hotel Palomar, on Saturday, September 19, 2009. Here is the breakdown:

Check-In:     9/19/09
Check-Out:  9/20/09

Rate:                   $120.00 (Room rate was a little less than the original quote)
Tax:                         14.80
Total:                  $134.80

You saved $5 a week, $260 a year.

Amount Saved:      $260.00
Room Fees:            -134.80
Money Left Over:  $125.20

If you saved additional money you could plan on staying 2 nights instead of one night. One of the reasons I like you to book your room way in advance is that if see you are this close to spending 2 nights instead of one night,  you will be encourage to save a little more money and have a great two night weekend.

Join the Kimpton Hotel’s “In Touch Members” and see what kind of specials you will get. Two weeks ago I receive a great deal at their newest hotel in Baltimore, Maryland called Hotel Monaco; the room rate was only $99 a night. Check out their website:

 www.kimptonhotel.com

Keep saving your $5 a week and you never know what kind of deal you will find for that romantic evening away with your loved one.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

What do you wear to bed? Do you put on a worn out tee shirt or pajamas to bed? You know the one that you can’t remember when you purchased it and it has holes in it. When you are dating or spending the night at someone’s house you would never consider going to bed with something looking so bad. Now that you are married you figure I want to be comfortable and this is my most comfortable item I have to sleep in. I love it and I don’t care what my spouse thinks of it! Well think again.

Most men and women just throw on that same old thing before they climb under the sheets. My question to them is “Why would I want to get romantic if you don’t even take the time to look good for me?” Isn’t romance about looking and feeling good with one another?

Now I’m not talking about men wearing silk pajamas or women wearing something sexy every night. That would become old and boring. Keep the sexy look for those special evenings. What I am saying is to wear something that looks good and is clean. You will feel better about yourself and your spouse.

When you don’t have time to shop for something nice or need a present for your spouse go online and check out www.pajamagram.com. They have over 100 styles for women (sizes XS—3X), men (sizes M—XXL), infants and toddlers (sizes 6 months—5T), and boys and girls (sizes 6—14). They also have cute matching sets and bath and body products. Husbands will make points by sending their wife a PajamaGram. Men just remember to find out her size.

The PajamaGram Company has been recognized by Yahoo! and BizRate for outstanding service and overall customer satisfaction.

Stop wearing that worn out tee shirt or pajamas to bed! Put on something you wouldn’t be embarrassed by. You will be surprised by how you and your spouse feel between the sheets.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

The proof is in the numbers! Save $5 a week and you will have saved $260 in a year!

Keep those sparks flying!

JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

Do you live in a big city and want to find romantic things to do there? Do you plan on traveling to a big city and are looking for things to do that will be romantic? There are a series of books call “Romantic Days and Nights in…..” I have several of these books. These books will help you find the perfect place in and around the city for romance.

The list is quite extensive and if you are planning a trip to one of the cities listed below, you will want to have this book with you.

•         Romantic Days and Nights in Atlanta
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Boston
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Chicago
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Dallas/Ft Worth
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Houston
•         Romantic  Days and Nights in Los Angeles
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Miami
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Montreal
•         Romantic Days and Nights in New Orleans
•         Romantic Days and Nights in New York City
•         Romantic Days and Nights in San Diego
•         Romantic Days and Nights in San Francisco
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Santa Fe, NM
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Savannah
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Seattle
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Washington, D.C.
•         Romantic Days and Nights in Vancouver, Canada

These books give you an insider’s guide that list great nightlife, romantic hotels, intimate restaurants, country retreats. Looking for a book written by people, who live in the city? Then these books are for you. They love and know its diversity and all that the surrounding area has to offer.

You can purchase these books at:

 www.amazon.com

This series of books can help you find a romantic diversion in and around the city, whether you live or are traveling to that particular area.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

Open your heart to your marriage and your wallet. Keep putting $5 a week away for that romantic weekend.

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

Date night is here and there is no money to go out on a date! Your thinking “How can I go on a date with my spouse unless we have money. No money, this is a problem.”  My husband & I have had many times when there was no money but we still had date night. There are a number of creative things you can do and not spend a penny but still have fun together. Be resourceful.

Since it is summer there are many areas that have free concerts in the park. Bring a blanket and listen to the music even if it isn’t something you normally listen too. When you allow new things into to your relationship you make it more interesting. You will be creating unusual memories that you can talk and laugh about at a later date. Before the concert bring a picnic to enjoy. Dinner and a concert!

What I like about a picnic is that you can sit and talk and not be interrupted by the waiter while you are in the middle of a conversation, just the two of you sitting and enjoying one another with no interruptions. I have an old fashion picnic basket and when one of us brings it out we know we are going to have an exceptional evening. Your picnic dinner needs to feel special but it doesn’t need to be fancy. We have been known to serve tuna sandwiches on porcelain plates and our drinks in glass cups. You could make homemade brownies or cookies to complete your intimate dinner.

Make time to enjoy each other. No money, no problem! Dinner and a concert and its free!

Keep the sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

I mentioned yesterday that I went to Manhattan Beach, CA and met with friends that I have known since 2nd grade. Yesterday you found out how much I spent on the hotel room and how much money was left over. Well today I am going to talk about what we did. This is a great thing to do if you and your spouse don’t live to far from where your spouse grew up.  Here is your plan for walking down memory lane.

If you both grew up in the same area it will be double the fun. If you lived in different areas do one this year and the other next year. Drive by your partner’s house that they grew up in. Then go by the grade school and high school they went to. Also, drive by their favorite hangout while in high school and the church they went to. Take pictures of them standing in front of every place you drive by. If you got married in the same area have someone take a picture of both of you in front of the church. Go to their favorite restaurant or the one they had always wanted to go to but couldn’t afford. If you grew up in the same area and lived there then go by the first place you shared together, first house you purchased. You get the picture, have fun!

You will be surprised by the things you learn about each other you didn’t know and the conversation you have together will be priceless. When you get home get the pictures printed and put it in an album as a gift for your spouse to keep.

Creating memories together from the past will keep you connected in a way that you hadn’t realized. So walk down memory lane together and have a wonderful romantic getaway!

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post

Last week I drove down to Los Angeles to meet with girlfriends I have known since 2nd grade. We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn in Manhattan Beach. There were 5 of us that came in from across the United States. We all met at 2:00 PM and visited. We had dinner later that evening and breakfast together the next morning.

On my way home I started to think about the hotel we stayed at and that it is a great place to go to and spend a romantic weekend with your spouse. The prices weren’t that bad and on weekends the big cities usually have cheaper rates because they don’t have the business travelers and the hotels are trying to fill their rooms. If you have AAA or are a senior you can get even lower rates. It all depends on whether the area is real touristy or not. The Marriott Residence Inn has locations across the United States.
The room I had was a nice size. It is called a Studio King and here is a list of some of their features:

•         490 sq ft
•         Living/sitting area
•         Small equipped kitchen/dinning area
•         King bed
•         Pool
•         Barbeque (You could bring your own food and grill it and eat in)
•         Breakfast is served in the morning

Some Marriott Residence Inns have fireplaces in the room. If you chose to spend the night on Monday through Thursday most Residence Inns have appetizers in their lobby in the late afternoon.
Here were my fees from the Marriott Residence Inn in Manhattan Beach, CA:

Room Charge:               $152.00
Occupancy Sales Tax:      15.20
Visa:                                         .10
Total:                             $167.30

You would have $92.70 left over to do something very special. What is nice about staying at a Marriott Resident Inn is that it does serve a nice buffet breakfast so you don’t have to worry about spending money on that.

Looking for a romantic weekend getaway check out a Marriott Residence Inn:

http://www.marriott.com/residence-inn/travel.mi

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2009, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Share This Post