Saturday, January 4, 2020

23 Valentine's Day streaming options for singles, couples, and everything in between

No matter what your relationship status, Valentine's Day can be an emotional minefield. But whether you find yourself alone or coupled up — or somewhere in between — there will always be movies and television shows to get you through. Here, we've compiled 23 of our favorite romantic (or anti-romantic) options, all of which are available to stream online right now, for your viewing pleasure.

Single and loving it

1

The Wood (Netflix)

Who needs to be part of a couple when you've got great friends? This charming 1999 comedy contains its fair share of romance, but it also boasts a great coming-of-age story about some young guys who struggle with school and girls and the usual things. And, as you might expect, they've always got their friends to lean on. As the film leaps forward in time to when they're all adults (as part of a framing device involving one of the guys getting married), Taye Diggs and Omar Epps are among the stars who play them, which lends some charisma and charm to the proceedings. The movie is a nifty little period piece, buried inside a more conventional rom-com. —TV
2

Mad Max: Fury Road (HBO Go)

Is there any better way to celebrate the act of being completely kickass in your own right than watching a bunch of women be completely kickass in their own right, the better to stick it to a patriarchal monster? (And, okay, a couple of men do all right here, too.) If you're feeling any sort of ambivalence about being single this Valentine's Day, let Charlize Theron's magnificent Imperator Furiosa bring you roaring back to the side of embracing independence. —CF
3

Clueless (Netflix)

On the surface, Clueless is all about how to get and keep men. Indeed, it's based on Jane Austen's Emma, the story of an optimistic matchmaker who can find a soul mate for everyone but herself. But the beauty of Clueless — besides its countless quotable lines — is that it actually runs on friendship. Sure, Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and her friends (Stacey Dash and Brittany Murphy) want boyfriends, but they're just as happy giving each other makeovers and trading gossip. Also, this movie is just fun. We dare you to watch Cher argue her way out of a bad grade or Paul Rudd dance like an idiot without cracking a smile. —CF
4

Magic Mike (HBO Go)

If you need to, remind yourself that this movie not only has an impressive pedigree (star Matthew McConaughey and director Steven Soderbergh are both Oscar winners), but also says some important things about men’s and women’s sexuality, as well as how to survive in a down economy. Alternatively — and this is our recommendation — just give yourself over to the god of glistening eight-packs (and Channing Tatum’s bananas dance moves) and enjoy the rare Hollywood flick that lets men be objectified for a change. —TP

Single and hating it

5

Bridget Jones's Diary (Netflix)

There is arguably no better ode to hating singledom than Bridget Jones's Diary. Our titular heroine is fed up with being single and spends basically the entire movie trying to change what seems like her spinster fate, no matter how many pairs of Spanx it takes. But Bridget Jones's Diary is a smart film that doesn't hinge entirely on Bridget's quest to pair up. Played to witty, sour perfection by RenĂ©e Zellweger, the character is flawed and relentlessly funny; it only takes one drunken sing-along to "All By Myself" for you to start rooting for her to find her path, whether that means falling for a strapping barrister (Colin Firth), telling her wily boss (Hugh Grant) to suck it, or just realizing that she herself pretty great. —CF
6

Under the Skin (Amazon)

You want to know the worst thing about being single? The part where you hook up with someone gorgeous and go back to their house, and then they turn out to be an alien from some other world who wants nothing more than to devour you for reasons that are never quite made clear. This eerie film, part sci-fi and part horror, features a terrifically isolating performance by Scarlett Johansson as the alien in question, and some of the strangest, spookiest images you'll ever see onscreen. If you want confirmation that the dating scene is full of horrifying weirdos, you could do a lot worse. —TV

The hidden environmental cost of Valentine’s Day roses

Red roses in bouquets wrapped in paper.

Flowers are perhaps the easiest Valentine’s Day gift to give. They’re cheaper than jewelry and healthier than chocolates. If you plan ahead, you can give your sweetheart a nice bouquet from a florist, or maybe one of those creepy bears made of roses for rose day that are all over Instagram. If you’re not much of a planner, you can pick up a less-nice-but-still-very-fine arrangement from a grocery store the day of; flowers don’t require a ton of effort to get, even if you wait until the very last minute. But the ubiquity and accessibility of Valentine’s Day flowers obscure the long, complex journey they have to take from the greenhouse to your house, and the environmental costs that add up along the way.

American shoppers are expected to spend nearly $2 billion on flowers — most of which will be roses — this Valentine’s Day. Almost all of these valentine day roses will have been flown in from Latin America, specifically the sunny, mountainous regions of Colombia and Ecuador, the world’s second- and third-largest exporters of cut flowers after the Netherlands. Colombia alone shipped more than 4 billion flowers to the US last year, according to the Washington Post. Valentine’s Day makes up more than one-fifth of the country’s rose growers’ annual revenue.

Climate certainly plays a role in the Andean nations’ dominance. Even California, the leading producer of domestic roses for valentine day, isn’t always warm enough to produce the volume of roses shoppers have come to expect around Valentine’s Day. But climatic differences don’t tell the whole story. There’s the fact that labor costs are much lower in Colombia and Ecuador. And, as the Post points out, there’s also the fact that both countries’ floriculture industries have benefited from a longstanding trade agreement with the US that was originally intended to give Andean farmers viable alternatives to coca, the plant used to make cocaine.

In 1991, at the height of Colombia’s war against cartel boss Pablo Escobar, Congress passed the Andean Trade Preference Act, which lifted duties on certain imports from Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. The Andean flower industry began to bloom, crowding out domestic growers who found it difficult to compete with their Andean counterparts who could produce flowers not only more cheaply but also year-round.


When we talk about flowers and sustainability, the biggest issue is how flowers get from their point of origin to retailers across the country. During most of the year, flowers are shipped on passenger planes, Amy Stewart, an investigative reporter and author of the 2007 book Flower Confidential, told me. “They’re put on planes that are going anyway.” But hundreds of cargo planes full of flowers fly from the Andes to Miami in the month before Valentine’s Day. According to the Post, 30 cargo jets fly from Colombia to Miami every day in the three weeks leading up to the big day and a similar amount fly out from Ecuador, amounting to more than 15,000 tons of flowers delivered in less than a month.

These flights have important consequences for the rest of the planet. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, comprising 28 percent of the country’s total emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Just over a quarter of US transportation emissions come from freight over air, land, and sea. Growing aviation demand, for both passengers and cargo, helped fuel an increase in emissions in the United States last year, reversing years of decline. This is significant, as greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Demand for roses isn’t solely to blame for this crisis, but the transportation network needed to bring delicate blossoms across oceans has an outsized environmental footprint. The International Council on Clean Transportation crunched the numbers last year and estimated that those three weeks of flower delivery flights burn approximately 114 million liters of fuel, emitting approximately 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

source - https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/12/18220984/valentines-day-flowers-roses-environmental-effects

Making your own Valentine's Day chocolates

HARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A box of chocolates is nice, but spending the time making your own may really show your sweetie you care this Valentine's Day chocolates.

The staff at Petite Philippe in Charlotte shared this recipe for Raspberry-Chipotle Truffles on WBTV News Sunday Morning:

Raspberry-Chipotle Truffles

7 oz best quality milk chocolate*

9 oz best quality dark (58 - 65%) chocolate*

2 oz clarified butter/ghee

7 oz heavy cream


4 oz seedless raspberry jam

1.5 - 2 whole chipotle peppers plus 1+ tsp adobo (more or less to taste) **

cocoa powder or raspberry powder, for dusting finished truffles

Place clarified butter and chocolates in heatproof bowl.

Puree jam, chipotle and adobo in a blender until smooth. Pour into a saucepan with the heavy cream and heat to scald. **Taste cream mixture at this stage to see if it has enough heat/smokiness. Note that it will be stronger in cream form than after it's blended into the chocolates.

Pour hot cream mixture over chocolates and let sit for 30 seconds. Starting at center of bowl, stir rapidly in small circles until a glossy emulsion forms. Continue stirring, expanding circles larger until entire mixture is fully incorporated and has become a shiny, glossy ganache. (You may also use an immersion blender to process; be sure to ‘burp' it first and keep the blades fully submerged so that no air is incorporated.)

Let ganache stand at room temp for an hour or two until it is firm enough to scoop or pipe into balls. After piping, allow truffles to set a bit longer to firm up. Gently and briefly roll the truffles in your hands to smooth into balls and heat the outside chocolate, then quickly roll in cocoa powder or raspberry powder. Place powdered truffles in a sieve to shake off excess cocoa powder. Enjoy!
*Where to buy special ingredients:

*Best quality chocolates:  Sur la Table carries E. Guittard, Scharffen Berger and Valrhona brands. Williams-Sonoma carries E. Guittard. Grocers carry Guittard 60% chocolate chips. You can find ghee/clarified butter at the grocery store; regular butter contains water and will not produce the same results.

**Chipotles in adobo sauce can be found in the International/Mexican food section of grocery stores. Amounts used are 'to taste.' Best to start with a smaller amount and taste the cream, jam and chipotle mixture before blending into chocolates. You can add more pepper or adobo at this stage, if you like. Puree the pepper, if you add more, and bring back to scalding temps before pouring over chocolate.

source - https://www.wbtv.com/story/21093900/making-your-own-valentines-day-chocolates/

Friday, January 3, 2020

Everything you need to know about gift delivery in Goa….


Online Gift Delivery is not really as foreign a concept as it used to be, which is courtesy of the various online gifting stores and website which have established a formidable delivery network that extends to the coastal region of Goa. This beautiful state may be famous worldwide for its breathtaking beaches and the Indo-Portuguese influence that is visible in everything from culture to the cuisine. Whether you are a visitor that has their sights set up on having a memorable vacation or just want to surprise your loved ones in this beautiful place, gift delivery in Goa is just a piece of cake. The pointers below are meant to inform you about everything you need to know about gift delivery in Goa and have a merry time.

Online Gifting Stores and Websites-
This wonderful opportunity is made possible by online gifting stores and websites that not only have numerous gifts in their online stores but also deliver your gifts at the doorstep. These gift stores are at your disposal 24X7 to order gifts online of all types, for any occasion and surprise your friends and family in Goa. From traditional gifts that are the go-to option for any and every occasion to some trendy ones that are perfect for an exotic a place like Goa. These online gifting sites are, therefore, your best bet to deliver you gifts like flowers and cakes etc.

Get cakes delivered from local cake shops in Goa-
For a sweet surprise that is enough to send your taste buds on a whirl you can opt for cake delivery in Goa. As cakes are prerequisite for every celebration you can never go wrong with them. From cakes that are baked in almost every flavor ranging from your everyday vanilla and chocolate to black forest, strawberries, and pineapple to some exotic ones including red velvet, coffee mocha, and fresh fruits cake. These sweet treats are an apt gift online which you can send to your loved ones for a sugar rush that will give them a sensory overload that will be pleasant on all account.

Other gift options to choose from-
Besides cakes, you can order anything from flowers, chocolates, soft toys, and even personalized gifts that are customized with a special order. You can customize personalized gifts like personalized mugs, lamps, cushions, and cakes with photos, funny memes and movie quote to add a personal touch to your gift. Also, these gifts are categorized according to their types, occasion, and the giftee so that you can conveniently choose your preferred gift. Besides, the seamless gifting process gift combos containing two or more items which can be availed online there are discount coupons and other perks you can get to know once you go and order gifts online and browse.

Discover the Best Solutions for Car Transport in Mumbai


Mumbai is the financial capital of India which is flooding with opportunities and amenities. These new avenues make it attractive and fetching to migrants who are drawn by the grandeur of this spectacular city. Whether it’s the Bollywood charm or the various employment scope that lures so many people and businesses to it, no wonder the city is plagued with so many of them. Among all the services, those dealing with car transport in Mumbai are a bona fide one where you can get your car transported to the city from anywhere in India.

Car transport like any other service is meant to make your work easier but can be a real headache when you are not aware of all the risks involved in it. The chief concern of yours should be finding the best solutions for car transport in Mumbai. Finding services which deal with car transport in Mumbai is not a big deal as the whole city is flooded with transporters who offer great deals. However, your car is more than just a material possession and needs some reliable service to help transport it.

The quest to find a reliable car transport service can be equally daunting and may take a toll on you physically and financially. To tackle the problem, you can either rely on the recommendations and suggestions of your friends and family or look up for them online. In the digitized age it’s easy to find transporters with a few single clicks or just directly connect with online service providers for car transport in Mumbai. These legitimate service providers not only help you connect with transporters who best suit your needs but also provide you with their prescribed rates so that you can plan your budget accordingly.

Online Portals of Car Transport Service Providers

Using online service providers is a plausible option to find car transporters anywhere as they can be availed anywhere. Also, their nexus which spread on a national level helps you find transporters who are near you and will best suit you from their database. Just follow these simple steps to book you transporter.

- Log onto any transport service provider’s portal
- Fill an online form and update with your query of any.
- You will be approached by online experts with the list and quotes of transporters which will best suit your needs.
- Just select one transporter for among those suggested and negotiate your deal
- Your car is ready to be transported.

Having found a car transporter which suits your purposes doesn’t ensure that it is reliable or not. As you are emotionally attached to your car you won’t be willing to hand it over to someone who is not fully equipped or incompetent to transport your car safely and securely. An IBA approved transporter is, therefore, the best solution for car transport in Goa, Car Transport in Guwahati, Car Carrier in Mumbai and Car Carrier in Jaipur. These transporters are officially certified by the government for their quality service in the transporting business. Having certified and approved for their services these transporters are then awarded by the IBA stamp of approval which is the highest honor for quality performance. This special accolade then benchmarks a vendor against his competitor and stakes their claim as a legit and reputed transportation service provider.

With this easy and simple method, you can have your car transported to anywhere you wish to and benefit from their professional services. From car carrier services to loading, unloading, and shipping so that you don’t have to lift a finger, professional service providers approved by the IBA are the best solution for car transport in Mumbai.

Evade these mistakes while hiring packers and movers in Mumbai



Mumbai, the financial capital of India is a fabulous place to live in providing you with ample opportunities to make sure that it is an amicable place to live in. Among all these facilities that make Mumbai such an attractive place to make you move, you can also hire packers andmovers in Mumbai. These shifting services will help you make your move in Mumbai or even from outside go smoothly and without hassle. As these professional services come to you with the best options and services, they are the first thing that comes to your mind, however, one always needs to be cautious when hiring any shifting service. Although these services are meant to make an already strenuous process easier for you, it can cost you if you don't hire the right packers and mover for you. Therefore, if you are looking to moveto Mumbai here are some of the mistakes that need to be evaded at all times.

1. Don’t hire any random services but look for professional shifting services.

Being a metropolitan there’s bound to be a surge in the number of packers and movers in Mumbai that makes it hard to distinguish between professional services and some not so professional ones. Therefore, be very sure to hire local packers and mover in Thane who are genuinely invested in this industry and also in their customers. These professional services are much more desirable as they are in this cutthroat industry for a long time and have made a reputation for themselves for being the best at their job. Also, they have the right equipment and also the knowledge and expertise to make sure your move is a smooth one.

2.Don’t go looking for cheap prices as they are not always dependable ones.

House shifting can be expensive as there’s so much involved in it. Along with a lot of planning, manual labor and even official paperwork this daunting job cannot be thrust in some incompatible hands just because they ask for prices. However, this doesn’t mean that you hire expensive services which will only take a toll on your budget. The best course of action is to look for services with affordable rates and genuine services. Besides, many of these services which ask for cheap rates tend to be fraud ones that are not invested in their customer's welfare and needs and charge an additional charge in the end. Also, you can find the packers and movers in Mumbai costs with the help of online portals of shifting services provider.

3.Don’t mistake IBA approved transporters for others.

Just as you look for the hallmark stamp when you want to buy gold jewelry or even the ISI mark in other goods, IBA stamp of approval works the same way. The IBA approval mark symbolizes that your hired services are the best out there with stellar qualities and services that make them always in demand. Also, this IBA mark of approval is only awarded once you get to prove your services that fulfill the set parameters and conditions for safety and quality. Thus, when you hire an IBA approved transporter you limit your risk of mishaps or damage to your stuff but only exceptional services and be privy to services from a verified and reliable packers and mover company.

4.Don’t forget to avail the benefits that come with hiring professional IBA approved services

Hiring professionally approved IBA services not only lessens your worries and concerns but also for any mishaps that come along the way as these professionals know how to do their job. With their inherent skills for shifting your stuff even in the most challenging of circumstances, these professionals come fully prepared. With personal carriers and container vehicles to make sure that your stuff is transported safely to assisting you in the legal paperwork and even the manual stuff, these benefits become your right when you hire services of genuine packers and movers in Navi Mumbai.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Gift Ideas for Girlfriend on Amazon

If you are still stressed out over what to buy your girlfriend for the holidays, you are in luck.  here are the best gift ideas for your girlfriend are on Amazon.

Here we have the best gift ideas for your girlfriend on Amazon. We will give you some of the best choices for a gift for the lady in your life.

Whether it’s a birthday gift holiday gift, or even a Mother’s day gift, Amazon has the right gifts for all occasions, especially for your girlfriend. 
There are even options of their page that help you find a order gift online for anyone.
Simply go to Amazon’s page and at the top of the page you will see categories which include, 12 Days of Deals, best sellers, find a gift, customer service, new releases, registry, gift cards, sell, AmazonBasics, coupons, WholeFoods, free shipping, shopper toolkit. 
im inlove

On the right-hand side of the Amazon page, in the top corner, there is a link to learn more about Amazon Prime and what it has to offer Amazon customers. 
These categories should guide you in finding the right gifts for your girl.
These are some of the best gift ideas for your girlfriend on Amazon. 

Heated Slippers

$49.99

Item Features

The shoes with an ergonomic design, it has a soft, thick and warm upper and a firm and wearable sole, so that your feet can enjoy warm care at home or in the office, cinema, park, and car.
If you are still stressed out over what to buy your girlfriend for the holidays, you are in luck.  here are the best gift ideas for your girlfriend are on Amazon.
Here we have the best gift ideas for your girlfriend on Amazon. We will give you some of the best choices for a gift for the lady in your life. 
ADVERTISEMENT
Whether it’s a birthday gift holiday gift, or even a Mother’s day gift, Amazon has the right gifts for all occasions, especially for your girlfriend. 
There are even options of their page that help you find a gift for anyone.
Simply go to Amazon’s page and at the top of the page you will see categories which include, 12 Days of Deals, best sellers, find a gift, customer service, new releases, registry, gift cards, sell, AmazonBasics, coupons, WholeFoods, free shipping, shopper toolkit. 
im inlove
On the right-hand side of the Amazon page, in the top corner, there is a link to learn more about Amazon Prime and what it has to offer Amazon customers. 
These categories should guide you in finding the right gifts for your girl.
These are some of the best gift ideas for your girlfriend on Amazon. 

Heated Slippers

$49.99

Item Features

The shoes with an ergonomic design, it has a soft, thick and warm upper and a firm and wearable sole, so that your feet can enjoy warm care at home or in the office, cinema, park, and car.
ADVERTISEMENT
The shoes’ advanced heating pad is washable and bending-resistant.
The most advanced thing is that the temperature will not decline with the increase in service time.
The heated shoes can be timed and controlled at a constant temperature, making it safer for you.
  • Awesome heated slippers.
  • These are very affordable.
  • Warm and comfy slippers for your girlfriend.
  • The feet stay warm while wearing these slippers.
  • Plug them in, they heat up perfectly and to a nice temperature that is not too hot and keeps your feet warm through the winter nights and mornings. 

Heated Slippers Pros

I just got these today! Perfect gift for my stepmom with Christmas right around the corner!!

Heated Slippers Cons

They run small

Heated Slippers Conclusion

I really like how they can plug into my car phone charger to keep my feet warm in this cold winter weather when driving.
Then after I get to my destination I can plug them into the wall and continue to enjoy them.
The hard plastic sole is really nice so I can wear them after they are heated up and they are kinda stylish too.
You can also use a power pack, so when I’m camping I will be wearing them while drinking my coffee!

Easy lemon layer cake

  Ingredients 225g unsalted butter, softened 225g caster sugar 4 large eggs 225g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 75g natural yogurt 1...