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FEBRUARY 2006

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Romance 101

Romance 101, Gainesville, FL WHAT DO YOU think of when you hear the word romance? Do you think of a moonlit walk on the beach? A simple note that says I love you? Or, a call to say I am thinking about you? We all have different ideas about romance. As owner of Gabbriella's Bath & Body Shop, I am often asked how to help create a romantic evening. Based on personal experience and the stories my customers share with me, here are a few suggestions.

There are many fun and exciting ways to add spice to romance at home. I like to begin by lighting multiple candles around the bedroom and bath. Candles are an excellent way to create a romantic atmosphere. They come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and fragrances, so you are sure to find the perfect one to match your tastes.

Music also is a great way to establish a romantic ambiance. Select music that works well as background noise, making sure that the volume is high enough to hear, but not so loud that you can’t talk to one another.

To make the bed more enticing, try sprinkling dusting silk onto your sheets. Dusting silk, a fine powder that contains silk, makes your sheets and skin feel soft and silky. Baths can also be fun and exotic. Try adding flower petals, bubbles, salts, oils, mineral soaks, Bath Fizzies or bath confetti. And for the final touch, place your favorite champagne or wine by the tub. Now the rest is up to you.

Let’s say you don’t have time to decorate. No problem. Gainesville has many romantic settings for day or night. Day trip ideas include strolling through Devil’s Millhopper or a sunset trip to Lake Alice. If you haven’t yet been to the Butterfly Rainforest, trust me, it is well worth the trip. If you want to hit the town at night, Gainesville has many fantastic entertainment choices: touring shows at The Performing Arts Center, exciting plays at the Hippodrome State Theatre and the movies. Who doesn’t love a good movie?

When it’s time to eat and you don’t feel like cooking, Gainesville has many restaurants to choose from. Ivey’s Grill is hard to beat for a great breakfast and a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. With great food and a fantastic lakeside view, Chopstix Cafe is a wonderful place for lunch or dinner. Of course there’s also The Melting Pot. It’s intimate booths, low lighting and delicious fondue make it an ideal place for romance. Try feeding your partner a chocolate strawberry; the look he or she gives you will make it all worthwhile.

Last but not least, sometimes there’s nothing like snuggling on the couch and watching a movie at home. And that can be just as romantic as anything else. Because in the end, that’s what romance is all about: spending time with each other. G