The food of love
Valentine’s day is all about sweets, so why not bring some of your favorite tasty treats into the bedroom? For starters, grab a blindfold and put it on your boyfriend or girlfriend. Then take turns feeding your lover delicious and sensual foods, like chocolate covered strawberries or tangy slices of kiwi. Your lover won’t know what’s coming, which adds an element of risk (and excitement) to the game. You can put a fun spin on this by putting some of the foods in your own mouth, and then kissing your significant other. He or she will love tasting the mango juice on your lips and tongue as you kiss passionately. When you’re ready for this game to move on to the next stage, grab a few flavored condoms for some oral fun. This way, you’ll still be incorporating food flavors in your routine.

Sexy hide and seek
If you know your significant other has to work or take care of errands on Valentine’s Day, you can surprise them with a sexy game the instant they walk in the house. Shortly before they arrive, undress yourself. Place your clothing strategically around the house – perhaps your sweater will be by the front door, while your t-shirt will be strewn over the couch. Set your clothes out so that the leave a trail to wherever you are hiding – completely nude. You can go the traditional route and have your clothes lead your lover to the bedroom, or you can take it to the next level and bring your partner somewhere unusual for sex, such as the kitchen or the car in the garage.

Match my moves
This simple game is a great way to engage in some steamy foreplay. Take turns doing certain “moves” to each other, for example, placing ten kisses on your lover’s neck and collarbone. Once you’ve finished your move, it’s your partner’s turn – he or she will have to do the exact same thing to you. Make the moves more and more complicated (and sexy), and if anyone messes up a move, they have to start over from the beginning. Eventually, you can give up on the “moves,” bust out the personal lubricant and get down to business.

Time for a little roleplay
Roleplaying can be a fun way to add a new dimension to your bedroom routine. Pick two roles that you both think would be fun, such as boss and employee or repairman and housewife. For extra creativity, you can take the roleplay out of the bedroom. For example, why not have one of you take a walk around the block and pretend to be a hitchhiker (who just happens to get picked up by the other member of the relationship). Or you can take a lighter approach and pretend to be meeting for the first time on a blind date that inevitably ends in the bedroom.

Take a gamble
If you and your partner have a competitive edge, then you can use this to your advantage on February 14. Make a harmless bet about something – like whether your server at dinner will be male or female. Whoever wins the bet gets to be in charge of that evening’s bedroom activities.
 

Have a singles-only party
While all of your paired-off friends are out dining at expensive restaurants and swapping cheesy sentiments, why not get all of your single friends together for some fun? You can throw a party with the intention of letting the singles mingle and sending some sparks flying. If you’re hoping to meet a new guy or gal, gather your pals and head out to your favorite nightlife spot – go dancing or grab a few drinks. Make sure to bring along a few pleasure condoms, so you’re prepared if the opportunity arises for some holiday hanky panky. The night doesn’t have to be about finding a date, either. If you’re hoping to avoid any semblance of romance, focus your attention on catching up with your friends. If someone brings up anything about romance or dating, set up a penalty where they have to take a sip of their drink or wear a silly hat for 10 minutes.

Brave the online dating world
If you really just want to go on a Valentine’s date, but you haven’t been having much luck on your own, why not try online dating? There are plenty of different sites to choose from, and most of them also offer easy ways to go from online to in-person. OKCupid.com, for instance, has a mobile app called “Crazy Blind Date” which lets you pick a time and place. The app will choose a blind date and send him or her to meet you there. You can also stick with the more traditional method of browsing profiles and chatting online with potential matches. This can be a fun way to spend your Valentine’s Day if you’re not looking to venture outside on the sappiest day of the year, and it may even be fun to do with friends.

Indulge in the single life
When you don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day, the idea of going out or even getting together with friends might seem awful to you. Rather than just wallowing in self pity for the night, why not choose to embrace your situation? You don’t have to spend hours getting ready, making reservations, buying the right gift, writing the perfect lovey-dovey note in a store-bought card or wasting your hard-earned money on one night of overly dramatic romance. Instead, stock up on some snacks, order delivery from your favorite takeout restaurant and spend the night alone, indulging in your passions. If you like to play music, write a song. Movie fans can rent a new release or rewatch an old favorite. If you just want to relax, take a long, luxurious bath. Even though you’re flying solo for the holiday, this doesn’t mean you have to skip the sexy part of Valentine’s Day. Take things up a notch by trying out a new personal massager like the LifeStyles® a:muse™ Pleasure Touch Fingertip Massager. Coupled with a personal lubricant, this massager can help you forget you ever cared you weren’t single in the first place. You might even start a new Valentine’s tradition for yourself.

Build anticipation for the big night
Since Valentine’s Day is on a Thursday this year, many people have to work before their romantic evenings. A great way for you and your lover to get each other psyched up for your date can be to send each other texts throughout the day. Don’t just say things like “I can’t wait to see you,” but be a little adventurous. A text letting your boyfriend or girlfriend know that you can’t wait to feel their hands on your body can be a bit more racy, getting both of your hearts pumping. If you are home while your lover is at work, sending him or her a photo of you holding the pleasure condoms you picked up might be a light-hearted way to make your intentions for the evening very clear. Just make sure you’re texting the right person! 

Flip the plans around and mix things up
Instead of going out to dinner first and saving the intimate moments for later, you can break the mold by starting your night in the bedroom. Tell your lover to meet you at your place, and get it ready for his or her arrival. Be cheesy if you want, light some candles and sprinkle rose petals around the bed. If your lover had to work all day, offer a sensual massage, using LifeStyles Smooth® 2-in-1 Massage and Lubricant. The strawberry flavor of this personal lubricant makes it easy to take the experience from relaxing to erotic, building up to the more intimate activities of the night. You can take a romantic bath or shower together to clean up for your date and get into the mood to make googly eyes at each other over strawberries and champagne. When you get back, take things up a notch with the LifeStyles® a:muse™ His & Hers Pleasure Massagers, which each last about 30 minutes. 

Skip the formalities and celebrate in bed
Whether you’ve done the traditional Valentine’s Day too many times or you don’t feel like sharing your special day with anyone but your lover, you might want to think about staying in this year. You can spend your whole night wrapped in each other’s arms, whispering sweet nothings and naughty somethings. Instead of shelling out your money on a meal, you can cook something special at home or even just order a pizza. Cuddling up and watching your favorite movie together can be a great way to celebrate the romantic holiday. Plus, you won’t have to worry about waiting to get home to jump into bed and show each other how you feel. 

Upping the sensual factor on a date
If you do stick with the plan to go out and grab a bite to eat or see a show, this doesn’t mean you need to hold off on the sexy stuff. Try whispering naughty secrets to one another over dessert about what is still to come. Ladies can wear some sexy lingerie under their clothes, either letting a lacy strap peek out or telling their man what they’ve got on. This is a surefire way to make both lovers wish they were already home in bed together.

Find someone you trust

The first step to exploring new sexual frontiers is to find a partner to help you along your journey. If you have a regular partner, then you probably already know who will be your companion for sampling new sex. But if you’re single, it may be a bit trickier. Find a friend who is experienced and who you feel comfortable around. It helps if you’ve already had sex with this person, so get out your cell phone and comb through those “friends with benefits.” Offer to take your friend out for a drink, and when you find a comfortable way to start talking about sex, let them know you’re eager to try something new. If they’re feeling adventurous as well, then it’s time to invite them back to your place. But if they’re not interested in your new and fresh idea, then don’t push the matter. Instead, head back to the drawing board and either come up with something else to try, or find a different companion who’s a bit more open-minded.

Start slow

If you’ve been having “vanilla sex” for most of your life, then diving head first into a sexual fetish or lifestyle is likely to be overwhelming – and maybe even a little scary. Instead, start slow. Pick something relatively simple, like wearing a blindfold during sex for instance, and work your way up from there. There’s also no shame in practicing something at home, by yourself – if you’re able. For instance, if you are looking to try out some a new vibrating device like the LifeStyles® Vibrating Ring, why not wear it at home the next time you find some time to…ahem…get acquainted with your hand. 

It’s OK to say “No”

Remember, when it comes to sex, the experience should always be enjoyable. If you’re trying out something new that you thought you’d love, but you find it uncomfortable, painful or icky, then you should feel 100 percent comfortable pulling the plug. Don’t feel bad about changing your mind – after all, this is a sexual experiment, and not all experiments are a success on the first try.

This rule applies to your partner as well. If you’ve discussed what you’d like to do with your lover, but he or she finds that mid-romp it’s getting to be too much, you must respect his or her needs and wrap things up. This doesn’t mean you have to end the encounter entirely. Instead, put the new idea you’ve had on hold, and return to the tried and true, albeit less wild sex you’ve been having.

What should never change

Of course, there are some things about sex that you absolutely should not experiment with. In particular, you should always practice safe sex, even when you’re experimenting in other ways. Sexually transmitted infections are a surefire way to make a new sexual escapade anything but enjoyable, so always play it safe.

Consider a classic

If you and your gal spend most of your time at home, then going out on the town is a tried and true way to have a romantic time. Even if you find yourselves going out to eat at the local diner occasionally, putting in effort to really plan out a special night will take things to a whole new level. If you know your girlfriend loves to be surprised, then go ahead and plan the night out “behind her back.” Make dinner reservations well in advance, and when you do, ask the restaurant manager if you can have an “extra romantic” seat by a window or in the back.

Take a moment to look up their menu online, and if you see a dessert you know your gal will love, ask the restaurant if they’ll bring it to the table as a surprise at the end of your meal. Oh, and while you’re surfing the web, why not buy condoms online to prepare for the “dessert’ you have when you get home.

Relive a special moment

Want something even more romantic? Then take a moment to sit back and reflect on the best dates you and your girlfriend had when you were a new couple. Maybe on your first date you had a picnic in the park, or went to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Surprise your girlfriend by recreating the date to a T. You’ll get extra points if you can dig out the same blanket you used for your picnic, or remember what you and your gal ordered.

You can put a twist on this idea by reenacting a romantic scene from one of your gal’s favorite movies. Take her on a date inspired by Amelie, When Harry Met Sally or 16 Candles. If the movie has a steamy sex scene, all the better. There’s nothing like a little role playing to make a hot date more intense.

Have a sexy night in

Who says you have to go out to have a romantic time? Skip out of the office a bit early on the day of your date so you can clean up the house before your girlfriend gets home. It may sound cheesy, but lighting candles and putting a bouquet of flowers in your living room or kitchen will definitely enhance the romantic mood. Plan out your girlfriend’s favorite meal, or come up with something new and exciting. When your girlfriend walks in to the scent of a home cooked meal and a clean, candle-lit room, she’ll be going gaga before you know it.

Such a romantic experience definitely calls for something extra in the bedroom, too. Why not pick up a personal vibrator like the LifeStyles® a:muse™ Personal Pleasure Massager. This little toy will definitely be a welcome surprise when it comes time to snuff out the candles and get to work between the sheets.
 

A group of researchers from the Netherlands recently set out to figure out exactly why humans were able to lower their gross-out factor in order to do the deed. The results were recently published in the journal PlosOne,

In their report, the scientists say that spit, sweat, semen and body odors are among some of the grossest parts of sex. They hypothesized that sexual arousal might lower one’s propensity to feel disgusted, thus making sex easier.

To test their theory, they gathered together a group of 90 healthy women, and split them into three groups. They used film clips to stimulate the arousal of one group, while another group was given non-sexual but still positive arousal, and the third served as a neutral control group.

Next, the participants took part in 16 different tasks, some of which involved sexual acts, such as using personal lubricant or a vibrating device. They also participated in non-sexual behaviors that were still pretty gross, such as taking a sip of juice when a large insect was inside the cup. They were then asked to rate their level of disgust. Patients were allowed to opt out of tasks they found too vile.

Researchers found those who were sexually stimulated found all of the gross behaviors, including those that weren’t sexual, to be less disgusting. The sexually aroused women were also more likely to participate in a larger number of the tasks.

Of course, there are other things about sex that can be gross, especially in the aftermath. Those who don’t play it safe when they get down and dirty could very well end up contracting a sexually transmitted infection, many of which have pretty gross symptoms. To avoid this nasty factor, make sure you use condoms every single time you have sex. This will not only cut down on your chances of getting an STD, but it will also show your partner that you like the good, not gross, parts of sex.

The Outgoing Goofball

Whether you meet him in class, at a party or just in a chance passing, this guy probably made you laugh within seconds. He’s a charmer, always knowing what to say to rouse a smile, and is usually the life of the party. While you may be absolutely smitten with him, keep in mind you’re probably not the only one, so be prepared for stiff competition trying to win this dude’s affections. With such a bold attitude and appeal, he may have gone around the block once or twice before you came along, so make sure to keep some condoms handy if you find yourself ready to pounce on this charmer.

The Deep Thinker

Not everyone is as talkative and ready to make conversation as the aforementioned stud, but sometimes that mysterious persona is even more appealing in a man. This guy doesn’t necessarily isolate himself from the crowd, but he may not be especially vocal in large groups. If you want to get your hands on him, your best bet is to find a time where the two of you are alone. Suggesting a study date can be a good strategy if you two share a class. It may be tempting to don a different persona to make yourself appear smarter in front of this academic dude, but he’s probably not the type who wants to play games. Be yourself and be patient. He may not rush into things, and instead takes his time getting to know you before he makes a move.

The Nihilistic Slacker

While you may be enthusiastic about learning and pursuing a degree, you’re bound to run into a guy who doesn’t take his collegiate career too seriously. If he goes to classes, he sleeps through them or offers sarcastic comments when called upon. His general feeling toward academics is one of passive dismissal, and when you’re really stressing about a test or a research paper, that nonchalant attitude can be unequivocally entrancing. He may not be the one you want to spend the rest of your life with, but since he’s always skipping his classes, he’ll have plenty of time for you. Just remember that if he doesn’t care enough to attend lectures and do his work, he might put that same level of care into his sexual health. Ask him to get tested if you want to pursue a romantic relationship with him, and always use condoms.

Get active

The best way to meet like-minded men on campus can often be to sign up for club or activity that you already have an interest in. This way you’ll be thrown into a situation where you’re doing something you love, such as acting, and the boys there share that passion. A word of caution – don’t sign up for co-ed football if you hate sports just because there’s a cute guy you want to talk to. There are other ways to meet him without getting knocked into the mud and covered in bruises. Even if you don’t meet the man of your dreams, you’re likely to make at least a few good friends and have fun.

Get out of your dorm room

If getting involved in campus activities didn’t do the trick, don’t fret. You now know some new people, which can make it easier to find yourself in a situation to meet new men. Even if you’re a bit shy, don’t turn down invitations to go out and socialize. Whether there’s a party at a frat house or your friend is having an art show in the student center, throw on your favorite outfit and check it out. This is a great chance to get used to meeting new people, and you may even wind up finding yourself in the throes of conversation with that hottie who lives down the hall.

Seize opportunities when they present themselves

When you are taking a course with a cute boy, you have a chance to chat him up every time the class meets. Unless you have assigned seats, you can aim to snag an empty chair next to your crush. If you’re lucky enough to have a project that involves partnering up, you can suggest he and you team up. You can also try organizing a group study session for the midterm and be sure to invite your guy. When you don’t share a class with your crush, but you pass him from time to time around campus, throw a compliment his way and keep going. Don’t wait for a response, and he’ll be unable to get the cute girl who liked his jacket out of his head.

Prepare for success

Once you win over the guy and the two of you are ready to get to know one another on a carnal level, you should be prepared. It’s nice to think that every cutie at school practices safe sex and will have a supply of condoms next to his bed. But, even guys with the best of intentions can be forgetful, so it helps to take matters into your own hands. Stash a few pleasure condoms by your bed, and if you’re not sure whether your night will end at his dorm or yours, tuck one into your purse too. This way, the action doesn’t have to stop when he realizes he forgot to stop by the health center to grab some before the big night.

Set up a system to take turns with the room
Before either of you even has a date that could end up in bed, it’s a good idea to establish rules for giving one another some space for intimate moments. Whether you agree to call or text your roommate when you want the room to yourself for an hour or you’d rather go with the tried and true sock on the door trick, it’s good to make sure you each know what the signal means and decide on the terms.

Treat your roommate with respect
You also need to be able to accept that kicking your roommate out at 11 p.m. on a Tuesday may not be a smart move when she has an early class the next day. Try to respect one another and remember that you may not spend a lot of time with the guy you bring home, but you do have to live with your roommate for at least the rest of the semester. Besides, there’s always tomorrow night.

Pool your resources and efforts
When it comes to practicing safe sex, you should always keep a supply of condoms in your dorm. Since you’re living with another girl or multiple roommates, it can be a good idea to make this stash of pleasure condoms readily available, so everyone can be protected when they get down. If you live with a shy gal, you can casually mention where you store them in case she’s ever in need.

Keep your dorm clean
Most college guys may not care much about having the tidiest dorm rooms, but odds are that climbing over mounds of dirty laundry and pizza boxes to get to a bed with dirty sheets isn’t an appetizing form of foreplay for you. If you keep your dorm in respectable shape, you know you’ll always have a nice place to end your date. Plus, this means you don’t have to worry about taking the “walk of shame” back to your dorm in the morning, which is always nice.

Be prepared to stay out for the night
Just because you have a clean room and a system worked out with your roomie, this doesn’t mean every romantic evening needs to end at your place. It’s nice to sometimes stay with your guy, but if you think you might be spending the night elsewhere, plan ahead. Bring a slightly bigger bag to the party – one that has enough room for some condoms, a fresh pair of undies, a clean shirt and a toothbrush at least. This way, when you wake up in the morning, you can refresh your look and maybe even head to the dining hall for breakfast with your man. No one else needs to know you didn’t make it back to your dorm room the night before.

You’re a bit of a snoozefest

When you’re courting that special someone, do you find yourself telling the same story over and over again? Do you have a stock group of topics that are always up for discussion on a first date? If so, it may be your old material that’s holding you back. Sure, during a first date or when initially meeting someone, it’s OK to talk about yourself a bit, but it’s also a time to showcase what makes you fiery.

Solution: Give up the story about how you traveled abroad your sophomore year, and replace it with a tale that truly is unique to you. You may want to practice telling this story in the mirror, and setting a time limit to stop yourself from rambling on. While you’re add it, why not add some excitement to your bedroom repertoire with some pleasure condoms?

You’re a victim of the rumor mill

Maybe your lack of a date can be attributed not to something you’re doing wrong, but something you’ve done wrong. Think back to your past experiences. Have you wronged a loud mouth ex? Did you maybe give your former lover an STD? If so, these old actions may be coming back to haunt you, transforming you from a one-time sex magnet to a total singleton.

Solution: Change your ways! There’s only one way to kill a rumor, and that’s by proving the opposite is true. If you know you did something wrong in the past, it may be time to wrack up some karma points by volunteering or doing something else to give back. If you happened to spread an STD at some point, remind yourself how to use a condom and make sure you practice safe sex every time. 

You’re subconsciously sabotaging yourself

Paging Dr. Freud. Perhaps the reason you don’t end up snagging any dates is because you, yourself, secretly don’t want to end your single days. Sometimes, we can send subconscious signals to those we meet that cue them into our inner desires – and fears. Maybe, while you think you’re turning on the charm for a new guy or gal, you’re actually sending a big message that says, “Leave me alone!”

Solution: Take some time for self reflection. If your subconscious truly is sabotaging you, maybe now is the time to embrace your single lifestyle. If not, try to figure out what it is you’re doing that’s sending the wrong signal, and spend some time taking care of it.

Your manners need an update

Sometimes, a first date or encounter can be going well, until a person’s true colors come shining through in the form of pure etiquette. There are a few small actions that can have big, negative consequences – chewing with your mouth open, interrupting your date or focusing on your cell phone are all quick ways to end any chance of a second date.

Solution: Take some etiquette lessons. You don’t have to enlist in some hoity-toity school to wise up on manners. Instead, tap your well behaved friends who always seem to get dates, and ask them for advice.