Vday has always been a little stressful for me. Let's be honest, whether you are single, married, dating, or sworn to never love and care for anybody ever again- you will surely be surrounded by red and pink stuff right about now, being forced to eat heart shaped chocolatey things and asked what your VDay plans are. Depending on your situation- it can annoy the crap out of you, put the feeling of fear or loneliness in you, create awkward tension in your love nest OR….make you super excited and happy- which is something I've been able to accomplish the last few years and I'm gonna share with you how... 

YOU'RE MARRIED, IN A RELATIONSHIP…OR JUST FRICKIN' GOING FOR IT!

First of all, always assume the other person IS celebrating this day…PERIOD. Worse comes to worse your lovie dovie efforts will be met with an eye roll, a "thank you" or a smile…but they will never be forgotten! Just a generic "Happy Valentine's Day" text is not enough and sometimes can even be insulting (like, was it a group text? where's the thoughtfulness?) So...here're some ways you can make the other person feel loved, thought of or make this day extra fun for both of you:

Instead of flowers (super sweet, but a bit boring and quickly forgotten) send a surprise breakfast or lunch from your sweethearts favorite restaurant, coffee place or juice bar. You can use Postmates (use code yl6mh for FREE delivery up to $10 on your first order) or Amazon Prime Now (to get $5 off click here)

-Write a beautiful digital love letter with the Lettrs app (costs you nothing and it's different then just a card- not to mention more eco friendly) You can pick unique stamps or paper and use your own handwritten signature, which is very cool.

-If you're married or in a relationship buy this book….Hot Sex (this is actually a must for any couple Vday or Monday) I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you have balls (umm, like I do- 😳) when you get the book- highlight or dog ear pages that describe things you are going to do to that person…yep, this book will blow your mind and send your sex life into a gear that you didn't even know existed! I think everyone who wants to be the "ultimate lover" should memorize this book. People "think" they know (especially men-sorry, just being honest!) how things work down there…but um... they usually only have basic knowledge, which is less then satisfying.

-Make a little video listing things that you love about your sweetheart or a list of things that remind you of them. You can also record a "I Promise" video listing things you promise to improve from now on "I promise to put the seat down", "I promise to stop using your razor blade to shave my legs"…you get the idea 😉

-Put "I love you", "I want you", "Why are you so damn hot?" sticky notes in random places…his wallet, her purse, on a car's dashboard…

-Buy my EkoMiko Candle...it pretty much guarantees a little nookie-nookie (and with "VDAY" 40%off code- it would be a sin not to get one :-)

For bigger "date ideas" I suggest:

Movie/dinner night at a dine-in theatre,

In-home couples' massage through apps like Soothe (use code MVAPB for $30off)

Vegan cuisine cooking class (classy, practical yet romantic)

Argentine Tango drop in class (different, sexy and bonding)

YOU JUST STARTED DATING, "IT'S COMPLICATED", OR...YOU JUST CAN'T DEAL

Again, ignoring the day all together is a dangerous gamble…girls especially, are testing your "romantic" skills on that day and often have some sort of expectations- so it's better to be safe then sorry AND by acknowledging the love in the air, you might get some major points that will result in a very fruitful "Netflix n' Chill" experience or "Netflix n' Dentures" experience (what? I like them a little more mature;)

-Send a funny but personal text alluding to the ridiculousness of this "holiday"…"Hey, so I'm sitting on the bus and there's a guy in a chocolate stained teddy bear suit holding a sign "Free VDay Hugs"…Anyway, made me think of you…gave him your address- hope you enjoy Furries :-)"….Too much? Send a funny Vday meme (Instagram will be filled with them)

-If you don't know if it's time for you to spend Vday together, a couple of days in advance, say "Hey, you might have plans already, but a couple of our friends are going to an all night co-ed Korean spa, would love for you to join". Now- make sure, you actually GET a couple of friends together to do something, so you don't end up awkwardly sitting in a sauna with your potential bae sweating next to one other creepy dude, whose towel keeps slipping. It will make it seem like it was a trap to get them to spend time with you alone, not good. Other group (not  romantic) activities:

At home Xbox/Playstation competitive games to get everyone moving

An escape room adventure

Hikes, picnics, badminton matches

Whatever the activity is, it has to be fun, take place in a no pressure environment and involve group of friends that will help you shine:-)

YOU ARE SINGLE, INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED OR... ON A RESERVE FOR SOMONE WHO DESERVES YOU

This category is actually the most fun one, because it doesn't require anybody else's participation, it won't make you stare at your phone in anticipation, sweating prefusely or cause any level of disappointment! There's no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of Vday's craziness and enjoy every minute of it, while flying solo!

-Take a yoga/meditation class or workshop. There's actually a lot of high frequency energy around that day and sitting with a group of people who focus on "love" for two hours, will only raise your vibration and attract just that in your life.

-Send Boomerang videos to all your friends and family members with kisses and hugs, you will surely make their day….their smile will flow positive energy right back at you.

-Go feed the homeless and make them feel loved. Some, will be super depressed that day and you showing up will mean the world to them. Check out organizations like…GWHFC or Share A Meal Check out this site to find volunteering opportunities.

-Abuse the importance that people give to this day. If you're late for something say "I'm sorry I'm late, it's Vday and my cat needed a little extra lovin' this morning-lavender essential oil paw rub, followed by a Kenny G jam sesh- you guys get it, right?" 

-If you'd like to attract a partner into your life spend an evening in a complete solitude, absorbing the love energy and writing out a story "as if" that person is already there. What you're doing together, how they make you feel, be as specific as you can. You create your reality no matter what, so why not create it exactly the way you want it. This book taught me how to put it all in action The Map….Take a bath, light some candles, make yourself a vegan hot chocolate and finish your day with a love meditation. from one of my favs- Deepak Chopra.

JUST CHOOSE LOVE...NO MATTER WHAT

Most importantly remember that love is a frequency and you can CHOOSE to feel it any time you want. It comes from many different directions, so don't just look for it in romance, you might be missing out! 

Let me know how you spent YOUR VALENTINE'S DAY. 

Love you, always!

Izabella Miko