Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so why not pick up something for your sweetheart that’s sure to make them melt? Chocolate is always a classic when it comes to gift-giving, appealing to the sweet-tooth of men and women the world over.

Though originally bitter in taste, chocolate can be tempered and mixed with a variety of flavours to create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat that is enjoyable to every palate, as well as shaped and decorated to create something that is aesthetically pleasing as well as delicious.

Calgary’s Manon’s and Leonidas Belgian chocolates are a great choice for the chocolate connoisseur in us all, and one can never go wrong with The Newget Kompany of Edmonton’s organic chocolate treats. For those who are looking for something a little more elaborate, Edmonton’s The Art of Cake creates custom cakes embellished with fun and elegant pieces made entirely of chocolate. For a truly unique dining experience, try The Melting Pot, an intimate and interactive restaurant that offers a memorable four-course fondue dining experience — the dessert portion of which is, of course, mouth-watering chocolate fondue — opening in Edmonton in March of 2010.

Aside from its rumoured properties, chocolate has many other uses that one would never expect. In the eighteenth century, it was believed that chocolate could be used to prevent or cure stomach aches. Also, it has been proven that cocoa butter contains antioxidants, making it very good for the complexion, and for those who complain about sweets being bad for your teeth, studies have shown that chocolates is better even than fluoride for preventing cavities.

As it is available for all budgets, chocolate is considered one of the simplest of gifts. However, that was not always so. It was once reserved only for royalty and for religious events, remaining a high-status delicacy until the nineteenth century. Now it is associated with romance and sensuality, and it is said that the famed lover Casanova preferred chocolate over champagne as an aphrodisiac, though studies on whether chocolate truly possesses such qualities were never conclusive.

Romance is about creating a special feeling with your surroundings. It is about love and intimacy and bringing pleasure to your partner in a way that does not have to be sexual in nature. A sweet kiss as a greeting, or a gently hug from behind, a little bit goes a long way. Chocolate is a food that is perfect for creating romance. Its soft, sensual texture melts on the tongue, and it provides the perfect opportunity for the intimacy of sharing this treat with your partner by hand.

So this Valentine’s Day, get some chocolate, arrange for some time alone and give you and your partner a treat for all the senses.

On gowns… top three:

The fabulous, elegant ball gown is making a comeback for this next bridal season.

On the other side, we are still seeing the body-hugging silhouette, great for a girl with a fab figure.

Fifties-style glamour is back in with its full-out Hollywood style and glamour. Big bows, belted waistlines and the absolutely stunning couture you see in “Mad Men”.

One trendy post processing technique is called Texturing. The key to texturing is picking the right type of textures, and the right combination to give the photo a special feel.

Boe Lefebvre, of Pokedog Photography, utilizes a variety of techniques. For example, he says:

"I might overlay an image of a scuffed up cement wall to give the image depth, and then add a vivid image of green grass for color, and finally a blurred image of bright street lights to vary the tone and exposure. There can be millions of combinations and unlimited layers created to craft a work of fine art that a wedding couple could have printed on canvas to hang on their wall as a conversation piece, without feeling the need to pull it down after the one year anniversary."

www.pokedog.com

If you’re looking for bridesmaid dresses, you can’t afford to skip Wedding World. With the variety of colours, fabrics, and price points, you’ll be sure to find something that catches your eye. They carry children’s, plus size, and maternity gowns, so everyone on your party is covered.

I love these sky blue dresses with the gathered detail and simple belting. The simple, elegant cut is fun, formal, and can be worn again.

Wedding World also has a tonne of bridal gowns. Some of the brands available are After Six, Alfred Angelo, Jolene, Madison Collection, Alfred Sung, Dessy, and Pronovias.

Visit Wedding World’s Website

Visit the Edmonton Location:

5361 Gateway Boulevard Northwest
Edmonton, AB T6H 4P8
(780) 433-1622

What is cuter, or more special, than the little guys that celebrate our weddings with us.

Check out Spencer in this formal suit, jacket, pants, vest, shirt and tie. All for $99 as part of Derks’ Little Nippers Collection. Photo courtesy of Andrew Peter Bradley (www.andrewpeterphotographer.com)

Here are some tips to help you keep your little gentleman happy and handsome (or little lady looking her best):

• Dress them at the last possible minute
• Make sure they have access to videos, snacks and toys
• Little ones need big, big bibs
• Make sure kids have back-up shoes for the reception
• Make arrangements for a location near the reception for kids to sleep or rest with a babysitter.
• Feed children a small meal before the event.