Day 2: Play another slow jam...

There are few things in life that bring me more joy than music. My love affair with music started as a young child sitting by the radio with my tape recorder pressed up against the stereo speaker waiting for my favorite song to play so I could add it to my DJ Shawna Renee "mixtape". As I grew older and began to develop an interest in boys, my interests in music moved beyond the normal Hip-Hop and Pop to the classic R&B tunes of Anita Baker, Luther Vandross and The Isley Brothers. Suddenly of the mixtape princess became the Queen of the Slow Jams tape, a title that I proudly carry to this day (thankyouverymuch). There's something about a good love song that takes an ordinary moment and turns it into an extraordinary memory. So as we move through our 20 days of love why not add a little music to the mix.


If you need a little help deciding what to include on your slow jams tape, let the Queen make a few suggestions....

Moments in Love - Art of Noise
Sweet Love - Anita Baker
Baby Come to Me - James Ingram
If This World Were Mine - Luther Vandross
We've Only Just Begun - Glenn Jones
No Ordinary Love - Sade
Through the Fire - Chaka Khan
Anytime, Anyplace - Janet Jackson
Ooo Ahh (Remix) Boys II Men
If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
Say Yes - Floetry

Be safe.

Day 1: Get Out. Washington DC Edition

Those of you who live in the Washington DC metro area know that there's no shortage of things to do around town. The challenge is trying to decide what your lady/man might enjoy. A good place to start is the Washingtonian Magazine, where you'll find a list of 158 great date ideas for everyone from the sophisticated foodie to the wanna be rock star. Here are a few that caught my eye...

For the Bohemian Poetry loving type: Bus Boys & Poets. A great place to hang out, have dinner and enjoy an evening of poetry and prose. Be sure to heck out the 11th hour Poetry Slam, the second Friday of every month, a guaranteed good time.

For the "I want to show her I'm cultured but my money is tight" type: The Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage offers daily free music concerts. From World Music to Classical, Hip Hop to local Folk acts, you'll find it all. Check out the Kennedy Center website for more information.

For the nightowls: Nothing says romance, like a moonlit monument. O.K maybe not, but if you've ever taken a late night walk on the National Mall you know how peaceful and beautiful it can be. What's better, is that there are now companies that offer pedicab (bicycle cab) tours of the monuments. If the weather's right, this is a great way to go.

For the "I can't keep my hands off him/her" type: Couples Massage. Shakti Mind Body Studio offers an annual Couples Massage Class taught by owner Faith Hunter and her long time beau "Dr. Drew". If you're looking to spice up your love life, then join them as they show you how to use massage as a way to open the heart, build communication and relax the mind and spirit. While you're at it, sign up for a yoga class or hot stone massage. (disclaimer - I teach and help manage this studio so I'm a little bias, but trust me when I tell you that it is one of the best in town.)

Now, for those of you who do not live in the Washington DC area, feel free to use the above suggestions as inspiration. I'm sure there are plenty of cafes, concert halls, monuments and yoga studios in your town that offer the perfect atmosphere for a little "everyday romance".

Until tomorrow.

20 Days of LOVE

So, yesterday I decide to pop into CVS to pick up a few things and as the automatic doors parted ways like two lovers torn apart by time, space and circumstances I quickly found myself wading knee deep in a sea of candy hearts, stuffed lions and tigers and bears (OH MY) and of course dozens of silk roses complete with fake me out plastic dew drops.

Ahh, ladies and gentleman, Valentine's Day is upon us.

Joy.

To be honest, I'm not really into Valentine's Day. For one, I really dislike roses, especially the red ones, and no matter how many times I say/write/scream this from the mountaintop, someone gets me a dozen red roses. Then there's the chocolate - the yucky melted dollar store chocolate that I receive with a smile and then immediately toss in the trash - I figure there's no need in me risking illness AND obesity. It's not that I don't appreciate the thought, it's that I know the thought didn't extend beyond the pressure my man felt when he looked up and realized it was 5:00 pm on February 14th and he was coming home empty handed. Not a good look. However, there are some couples that make a habit of celebrating love everyday, so when V-day rolls around, they just treat it like every other day and keep on doing what they do. Now, I recognize that to truly make everyday Valentine's day requires dedication, hard work and creativity. I can't help you with the first two, but what I can do is suggests some ways to show you sweetheart that you don't need no stinkin' Valentine's Day to show them how much you care. If you start today, I promise by the time 2/14 rolls around all she'll want to do is snuggle up on the couch and watch Charles Barkley wax poetic about LOVE and BASKETBALL.

So with that said....Let the games begin.