Valentine's Day facts

Each one of us celebrates Valentine's Day differently. Some don't celebrate it at all. Other can't sleep at night wondering who their secret admirer might be?

So, while we wait for February 14th to come along, I'll nibble on a piece of chocolate and share some fun facts about Valentine's Day with you.

Valentine's Day related history:
- The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia on February 14th in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.
- Many believe the 'X' symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn't write their names signed in front of a witness with an 'X.' The 'X' was then kissed to show their sincerity.
- Girls of medieval times ate bizarre foods on St. Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future spouse.
- In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression "to wear your heart on your sleeve."
- In 1537, England's King Henry VII officially declared February 14th the holiday of St. Valentine's Day.
- The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife.
- Every Valentine's Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.

Chocolate:
- Casanova, well known as "The World's Greatest Lover," ate chocolate to make him virile.
- Physicians of the 1800's commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love.
- Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in the late 1800's.
- More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day.

Flowers:
- 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.
- The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
- Red roses are considered the flower of love because the color red stands for strong romantic feelings.

Swiss love Christmas crafts

The DIY-happy Swiss like nothing better than to make their own Christmas presents, or to help their children make them. A Migros magazine survey from 2014 found that for 73 percent of Swiss present-making with the kids was a Christmas ritual.

Here are three 5 minute yarn crafts for Christmas that are fun, colourful and hassle-free to make with kids of all ages:

Switzerland's second Christmas

Switzerland's "Second Christmas" tradition? A friend once told me that between Christmas and New Years you can bring gifts to the post office and they mail it free of charge to needy people somewhere in the world.

During the 17th edition of the "2 x Christmas" campaign over 73,000 parcels were collected. It is a charitable campaign supported jointly by the Swiss Red Cross (SRC), Swiss TV and Swiss Post. The goods donated are distributed to needy people in Switzerland via the cantonal associations of the Swiss Red Cross. In collaboration with the national Red Cross associations, some are also distributed to families and social institutions in Moldavia, Bulgaria, Belarus and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Over the Christmas period, people donate food and day-to-day necessities. Swiss Post transports these free of charge to the SRC logistics centre in Wabern (Berne), where they are sorted and forwarded to those in need by Swiss Post employees and SRC volunteers.

The 18th campaign will take place between 24 December 2014 and 10 January 2015.

A little gift for Expats

Australian illustrator Shaun Tan, who today won the world's richest prize for children's literature, reflects on the quiet mysteries of everyday life in his collection of stories with pictures, Tales From Outer Suburbia.

In this exclusive story, a family gets a surprise when a foreign exchange student, Eric, comes to stay. Although everyone is delighted with the arrangement, cultural misunderstandings ensure, beginning with Eric's insistence on sleeping in a pantry cupboard rather than a specially prepared guest room.

A captivating, sweet and incredibly intriguing story showcasing Eric's interest into the smaller, finer things in our world, those things we sometimes neglect, are the things Eric explored and wondered about the most. Tan uses funny and random drawings of Eric hiding from the family in tiny places around the house like teacups and cabinets. He stays and learns the basic in's and out's of life and goes his own way, but not without leaving his own colorful mark on the gracious home that allowed him to stay there. This is a great example of Shaun Tan's lesson's that can be learned through a simple picture book.

As charming as he is curious, by the end of his stay this intriguing house guest will capture your heart.

A glimpse into what is it to be a little different.

What does your Valentine's Day gift say?

Want to know what your Valentine's Day gift says about your relationship? Check it out on the info-graph below. And if all else fails, follow the advice on the bottom.

Wishing everybody a Happy Valentine's day!

Valentine's Day Coupons

Valentine's Day is all about love. Rather than rushing out to buy a last minute gift, share some time with your loved ones. Here are some sweet Valentine's coupons that I came across on the net.

The premade coupons for kids, include dessert before dinner or one day without chores; and adults, include breakfast in bed or a meal out at their favorite restaurant. Plus, you'll find some blank coupons so you can write your own - just open the blank PDF and type in your coupon text, or print them onto cardstock and handwrite them.

Valentine's Day Coupons for Kids

Valentine's Day Coupons for Adult

Valentine's Day blank Coupons

Amy loves Crafts has more coupons to offer: click here 

However, this coupon by allthosethingsilove tops them all: click here

Swiss handmade online markets

Every once in a while I come across a product or a service that tickles my fancy to the point that I decide to post it on my blog.

This weekend I came across a Christmas Survival Kit card by www.lulaloo.ch. The designer started brainstorming with her kids about things they love about Christmas and this is what they came up with.

Check it out here: http://www.lulaloo.ch/category/more-celebrations/christmas/.

If you are an avid internet user as myself and with an Anglosaxon background, you will problaby have heard of a site called etsy, an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items, supplies, as well as unique factory-manufactured items.

Switzerland is big on arts and crafts. Here a few sites similar to etsy that sells handmade or vintage items but are based in Switzerland/Europe:

www.ansalia.ch/

www.bellis.ch/

www.werkhandkunst.ch/

www.de.dawanda.com/ (German site in Euro)

www.fait-maison.com (French site in Euro)

Celebrating World Book Day in Lugano

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."
Charles W. Eliot

After last year's success, Lugano's nine children libraries and the intercultural libraries BISI (Biblioteca interculturale della Svizzera italiana) and RICCIOGIRAMONDO (Biblioteca interculturale per la prima infanzia) of Lugano will return to celebrate World Book Day and offer the "EXCHANGE OF USED BOOK" this Wednesday, April 24th, 2013.

You will find all the action going on at the Quartiere Maghetti from 12:00 to 17:00.

Participation is free and open to all: babies, children and adults. Just come along with one to five books (no comics) and you will receive the same number of tokens in return that allow you to pick (an)other book(s).

From 14:00 to 16:00, the theater Fioriecolori will be presenting an entertaining and imaginative play called ARTURO THE DRAGON in which the storyteller will involve the audience.

Don't miss it and ... Have fun!

Venue: "Exchange a used book"
Where: Quartiere Maghetti, via del Forte, 6900 Lugano
When: Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
time: 12:00 to 17:00

My biggest compliment so far!!!

"Enthusiasm one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today was one of those days where all the time, effort, dedication and passion that I put into blogging has been highly rewarding. I might add the compliment (and it was a big one) came from a total stranger. I am not sure how many readers regularly read my Lugano blog but I do hope I am entertaining some people out there other than myself. Once in a blue moon I receive a little message telling me that ...yes .... my blog is useful, informative and fun to read. And this reader just hit the nail right on the head. She described exactly what I am aiming to convey with my blog and what it is all about! I couldn't be happier.

I am so thrilled about this compliment that I just can't help but to share it with my readers. Here is the lady's recommendation:

"Have a look at this blog about expat living in Lugano written by someone whose writing style I enjoy very much as it's upbeat, fun, friendly, lively and informative. (NB: It may take a little while to load up the first page but stay with it as the pictures are lovely).

Often times, I have found that just looking at the website - the layout, pictures, colours, juxtapositioning of the words etc - immediately infuses me with a sense of upliftment each time I visit it and all before I've even read a single word.

There are loads of useful links and suggestions contained there - some you may already know and some you may not.

The writer and her family have now moved onto Paris and which she also blogs about in her own unique and special style."

Her personal message to me was:

"Your blog is wonderful and one of the best I've come across in a very long time.  You are certainly a gifted writer and you write from the heart.  Your words and passion are so infectious and uplifting and make me wish I had actually landed in that part of Switzerland when I first came here to settle.

I hope that others who've looked at it too as a result, gain as much pleasure as I do from it."

Lady you have just made my day ..... week ..... month!!!!! G R A Z I E !!!!!!

Will a box of chocolate do the trick?

"Giving chocolate to others is an intimate form of communication, a sharing of deep, dark secrets."
Milton Zelman, publisher of "Chocolate News"

The chart below was taken from an article I came across 2 years ago. Eventhough it isn't that recent I just had to share this knowledge with you in view of Monday's celebration.

On Valentine's Day, the relationship between chocolate and sex becomes, at least for gentlemen considering the ideal gift, less a matter of theoretical musing and one of stark practicality. Will a box of chocolates do the trick? In some parts of Europe sex and chocolate go hand in hand, though a causal link is unclear. Mediterranean lovers tend to have as much sex but less chocolate—perhaps hotter weather has a bearing on both. The Japanese have precious little of either.

Valentine's Day gifts for him

I have written so much about what we girls would love to be gifted on Valentine’s Day and before the guys feel ignored or if you are in need of ideas for gifting then do read the rest of this story.

TOP MUSIC: Its futuristic and delicate design makes this home audio equipment irresistible. Beo Center 2. produced by Bang & Olufsen, two aluminum doors slide sideways to unfold a radio player, CD, MP3 and DVD (3,840 € approx.)

HIDDEN MESSAGE COLLAR STAYS: come in PG-version and Racy version. Both the PG-version and racy collar stays are made from stainless steel and feature 12 different messages of love and lust. The PG version includes messages such as "You’re so handsome" and "You make me laugh”. The racy stays includes messages like “Wait until dark” and “Feel my desire” among others.
They come in a dapper black leather carrying case lined with red faux suede for $39.95.

BASEBALL STICHES CUFF LINKS: Salute his passion for baseball with cuff links handmade from the same baseballs the pros have used. Created from authentic game used Major League Baseballs, the baseball cufflinks feature iconic red stitches and unique scuffs and scratches earned in the journey from hand to bat to glove. He can even look up what game the ball was played in using the authentication number on the back of each cuff link. ($149.95)

MEN’S LEATHER WATCH CASE: If he has more than two, it's officially a collection. Our top-stitched leather case has a place for all of his favorite watches. Exclusively from RedEnvelope. $ 49.95

HOME GOLF SIMULATOR: This plug-and-play golf simulator lets you play championship caliber courses from the comfort of your home with any club in your golf bag. The turf has a regulation golf ball mounted on a flexible tether that allows the ball to spin when it is struck, enabling you to swing with the same tempo and force as on an actual course, and producing the same feel and "ping" sound when you strike the ball.

RECORD PLAYER: Vinyl isn’t only for the music pedant nor should it be. Help him listen to it in the best possible way. There are a variety of models for vinyl beginners and experts. Project-audio.com has turntables for all listening levels like the Pro-Ject Debut III (approximately $500). Thorens has products at all price points, including the TD850 ($2659) and the TD90-2 (579.00).

WATCH G-Shock Aviation Series from CASIO: Taking design cues from aircraft flight panel indicators, the new G-Aviation features a triple layered dial and frame display structure that gives the watch face a three-dimensional feel while increasing overall visibility. Impeccably designed with toughness and technology, the G-Aviation also features Self-Charging, Tough Solar Power & Self–Adjusting, Multi-Band 6 Atomic Timekeeping technology, Tough Movement and the quadruple hybrid case structure for the ultimate in accuracy, strength and performance. ($300.-)

PERSONAL TRAINER SESSION: If you are running late and have no time for shopping, call your local gym and reserve an hour with a personal trainer for your loved one. 

Should you live in Lugano call the A-Club (Tel. +41 91 966 13 13) and ask for Gian Luca. Highly recommendable. He is friendly, professional, serious and gentle all in one. Perfect motivator! Personal trainer A-Club.

Happy Valentine's Day

Shopping for the perfect Valentine's Day gift

You have got the whole weekend to find the perfect gift for your sweetheart or why not pamper yourself? If you haven't come across your pink dream in the Toys for Girls book you might want to consider the following selection.

The closer we get to Feb. 14, the more pink electronics are coming out of the woodwork!

In view of Valentine’s Day I thought I’d come up with some gift suggestions combining high tech with distinct female aesthetic. Sound sytems, underwater MP3 players, top luxury phones and mobiles, pocket notebooks have definitely been getting into the V-Day spirit... a world that is evermore expanding: the art of pink design engineering.

GLAMOUR TELEPHONES:  Get a cordless phone like this one and turn it into a decorative, almost sculptural piece of art for your living room. With the buttons arranged in two rows and a black support, it is another great idea offered Bang & Olufsen (661 €).

USB necklaces: Ceramic is one of the hottest trend for jewelry at the moment.
Danish brand Kähler had the idea to combine beauty and functionality by creating My Life collection, a unique range of USB necklace made in ceramic. A sexy and ultra-modern way to carry all your precious files around! 2 GB of capacity (49.95 €/ each).

DESIGN & SOUND: Bang & Olufsen remain true to sound and style with the BeoSound 8 new docking station for iPhone, iPod, and iPad. High-end design and amazing technological features, the BeoSound 8 can be placed in any room or even hang on the wall. It offers sublime sound and beautiful design. (995 €).

ATTENTION GETTER: The undeniably chic and colorful 1.3-pound2, 8-inch3 Vaio P portable does more than you could imagine – with impeccable style. Work on important documents, organize your photos and music, or just show it off when you want some attention. Once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. Best of all, it fits right in your purse or jacket pocket. Includes GPS (899 €).

FRESH, SPIRITED, COOL, YOU: Where is it written that a keyboard can’t be stylish? That a mouse can’t be whimsical? Logitech believe self-expression can be found in most everyday objects, so they created the Logitech Fantasy Collection. Mouse M305 (29,99 €) and Speakers LS11, (19,95 €).

THINK PINK: If you’re gonna go pink, then why not go all the way with matching pink accessories? That is the idea behind the Olympus FE-340 Pink 8 MP Digital Camera Deluxe Kit. The kit doesn’t just include a pink camera, but it also comes with a matching leather case, a 4×6 photo frame, and a photo Storage box. The camera sports a 1.7″ LCD, 5X optical zoom, face detection technology, red eye removal, an AVI movie mode, Digital Image Stabiliz and has 1GB capacity (180 €).

KEYBOARD AND MOUSE FOR BLONDES: First off, it’s pink, so you’re probably intrigued already right? The designers have also made things easier for us girls with some special keys.

You’ll get a lot of use out of the MySpace spacebar, while Enter= Yes, I want it. Delete= “Oops” and T= TC4S, too cool for school. S= “SOS”, shoes on sale. Seems like they covered everything. The numbers even look like dice rather than plain old digits. With this keyboard, every moment you type is a blonde moment. The link "Keyboard for blondes" is definately worth a peek. ;) (59.50€)

VERSACE UNIQUE SMARTPHONE: Designed for the cosmopolitans who love technology combined with fashion in mind, the new Versace Unique luxury mobile phone unites all essential functions for professional and personal use. A full-featured multimedia creation, Versace Unique also offers bespoke services and private fittings to clients who want to suit personal style, inspirations and creative mood in colour and texture accoutrements for the telephone. (5'500. €)

SONY MP3 PLAYER with HEADPHONES: When jogging or at the gym, no matter how cute and tiny your pink mp3 player is, having dangling cords and having to carry an mp3 player around can be a nuisance. When working out, you want no fuss, a cord free gadget that will allow you to go through the entire workout free of wires, as they can get in the way be yanked accidentally out of the player while working out. Look no further: these tiny music devices offer 2 GB of memory space, hours of fun music and the beauty comes in the fact that the mp3 player is actually integrated in the headphones. (85.-€)

UNDERWATER MUSIC from NAICAL: Perfect for bringing music to your favorite aquatic sports, the Nu Technology Dolphin Touch MP3 player will keep you entertained whether you are out lap swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or surfing.

The Dolphin Lite is a comfortable and ergonomic MP3 whose battery lasts 18 hours of continuous playback, and weighs only 20 grams. The Dolphin lite, unlike most of the MP3s on the market offers cable-free design that allows the user to forget completely where to place the device. It is available with 2GB of storage at a price of 79.- € at the official website of the company.

SONY DIGITAL READER Pocket Edition: it's elegant, lightweight design makes it perfect for on-the-go reading. Take your favorite books (up to 350) with you to the beach, on travels or to bed. Build your library comfortably from home at the eBook Store from Sony, where you can access new releases or choose from over one million free public domain titles from Google Books, or you can visit public libraries to borrow eBooks if you live in the US. (200.- €)

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!