Valentine’s Day is right up there with the December holidays! The only thing I like about it is February 15, because the chocolate is on sale. Despite the sales, February 15, bugs me as well with our provincial holiday called, “Family Day,” which sounds far too Christian too me.

Why hate such a holiday? Well, anytime I was in a relationship I rebelled at anything that felt contrived and forced upon me without my consent. Suddenly, because Hallmark says so, I’m supposed to be so in love that I want to go buy a gift, do a dinner or something.

Usually the day ended up in a fight, without the make up sex. Perhaps this is why I’ve learned this Pavlovian response to the day.  One time I was traveling across the country, arrived back home quite late, and didn’t have a card or anything and all hell broke lose. Sure, I know, I was a bad boyfriend.

To me it’s like doing drag. All these guys who put down the drag queens can’t wait to put on a dress come October 31^st, as if they somehow now have permission to do it. I’ve never felt the need to have permission to get into a costume, especially having been a make up artists. I can do this anytime of the year.

Read the full story

What would be Valentine’s Day without a few presents? So I have scoured around to find you some cute yet fun things to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day whether you are “single and fabulous”, or, to coin the Bridget Jones term a “smug married”, or if you are simply “getting to know each other”. These will also help seal the deal – or could be the deal breaker! What ever you decide to do, remember it’s all about the love.

For The Single and Fabulous:

If you are like me and my favourite term from Sex and the City “single and fabulous” Valentine’s Day leaves you one or all three of these feelings: thankful, dread or wanting. Either way Valentine’s Day is actually the best time to be single -  think of how many guy you can kiss and no one thinks your cheating. However, if Valentine’s Day leaves you with pangs of jealousy over your ex’s new boyfriend here’s an easy way to calm down. Have a bath. Get a heap of bubble bath, some bath oil and soak your no man stress away by throwing in this limited edition X Factor bath bomb ($6.95) from Lush. (http://www.lush.com). It’s made of ginger and if you feel like playing Alex Forest from Fatal Attraction, rip off his limbs and throw him in piece by piece the sit on him, you’ll feel much better.

For The Smug Marrieds:

In between the candlelight dinner, the holding hands, the slow dancing and cuddling up to either watch Lilies or Maurice you may want to have a romantic bath for two. Spice up your water with their limited edition Magic Mushroom bath bomb again from Lush($6.95) (not the other one which is the party drug). This bar is scented with vanilla and strawberries. So you can have that strawberry and cream indulgence but not have to hit the treadmill later.

For Those Who Are In No Man’s Land:

Oh the fragile state of “are we” or “aren’t we” on Valentine’s Day. Will he ask you out or not? If you call does make you look pushy or taking the initiative. Those are the questions we all face especially a day, week or a month into the “getting to know you phase.” OK…so let me help you speed things up.

Here are two things which will help you get your message across. The make up company Cover FX has Mint Glaze. A protective and fortifying glaze which has SP 15 to make your lips kissably soft indoors or out. You can find it at Sephora or Shoppers Drug Mart ($22.00).

Should your eager kiss should not signify that your man parts are begging for touching (sorry Jackie Collins moment) time to turn up the heat by “taking the jeans off” and revealing your boxers with love all over them.

These boxers from The Gap (http://www.thegap.com)  are just too fun not to pass on. They are a seasonal piece and are around the $20 mark. A small investment to show a guy you are ready to take your nights out from dating to mating.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, I thought it would be nice to focus on a little love, baby, love—and politics and the law and how it is and will affect queer people around the world.

While the churning maelstrom of Proposition 8 in California has been experiencing high-profile coverage (and the ensuing nastiness that accompanies it), there have been a few advances and breakthroughs in the fight for equal marriage for gays in other parts of the world. Read the full story