VALENTINE'S DAY Gift Ideas 2016

I'm a sucker for holidays. I just love them. I really just love any excuse to give presents, celebrate, or party maybe. Valentine's Day is the next one coming up. Need a few ideas of gifts to give to that someone you think is super special? Here are my suggestions:

FOR HER:

1. Alex and Ani

Hello! Brand new rose gold bangles, necklace charms, and that arrow ring from Alex and Ani are the perfect way to tell that little lady you might like her a lot.

2. The Gshine [Eye Protect] iPhone 6/6S Screen Protector

Everyone these days is constantly staring at their cell. It's true. Well, this screen protector will help protect those eyes you like to get lost staring into nightly.

The anti-blue light helps reduce 90% of the damaging effects to protect her from eye disease.

This screen protector does not cover the full screen and has a round edge so it is compatible with most phone cases. The protector aids in preventing scratches from keys, coins, or other hard objects that might be in her bag/purse. Finally, it has an oleophobic coating... this means it has a unique technology to prevent fingerprints and oil so it is easy to clean. #kij

3. Gurin Ceramic Flat Iron/Hair Straightener

This flat iron has 1.25 inches ceramic/tourmaline plates and adjustable heat temperature for styling your hair. I love this device because you can either style your hair straight or make it curly depending on your mood with just one styling tool. It works with all hair types, including naturally curly, wavy, oily, fine, or dry hair without any problem. This iron can do all of the things a higher end straightener can do, but at a lower price point. Say hello to gorgeous hair. It also comes with a  satin case for easy storage and travel. #HairStraightener

FOR HIM:

1. Titanium Spork by by OutSmart Gear

If your guy likes to camp or backpack, he might love this titanium spork (3 in 1 metal fork, spoon & knife [Serrated Edge] combo). It is lightweight (weighs 0.8 ounces/22 grams), heat resistant, non-toxic, dishwasher safe, and comes with an easy-lock carrying case with a carabiner ring. #OutSmartGear

2. Rubber Wedding Rings

 I love Jimmy Fallon. His audience has learned some many things from him...Ew! But the most valuable lesson he might have recently shared, is how cool silicone wedding bands are right now. You don't have to worry about losing or damaging your ring. These are perfect for people with active lifestyles who are worried about their metal bands getting stuck on things and possibly hurting your finger. Yikes.

 These rings fit guys with big knuckles with ease and are comfortable. 

I have found two companies that supply really good quality silicone rings. This second one comes with two rings in different colors to support different moods or outfits even. 

Both companies have a great guarantee for their products (which you know is super important for me). #omniarings #siliconeweddingband

FOR BOTH:

1. Selfie Stick

The extendable, pocket size selfie stick by Gshine® is perfect for your selfie loving friends. This is me since I often travel alone. The selfie stick is compatible with most smartphones. It can also work with GoPro Hero cameras/action cams, but the bluetooth remote only works with smartphones. It weighs 118g and is 6.5 inch long so it is very lightweight and convenient to carry in your pocket or purse. The stick is made of high-quality aerospace aluminum alloy and has a rubber grip. The package includes: a monopod, smartphone mount adapter, GoPro screw, camera screw driver, bluetooth remote, and retaining clip for the bluetooth remote. #lok

2. Mini Penguin Massager

The Santamedical sleek mini penguin massager is great for a relaxing massage to tired muscles. It can be used on your neck, back, feet, and ace to seek relief. The massager comes in a white color with two speeds of intensity. It is lightweight and quiet so you can take it with you when you travel to relieve aches and pains. It is also sold for a great price!! #massager

FOR PETS:

1. Bully Sticks and Beef Tendons Combo Pack

This treat pack is a combination of  bully sticks and beef tendons made in the USA by Wyldlife Pets. These treats are good for all sizes and breeds of dogs. The tendons are chondroitin and glucosamine which are supposed to promote healthy cartilage in joints. They are also great for "flossing" and keeping your dog's teeth and gums strong. All Bully sticks are made and processed in the USA. The Wyldlife Pets company has a no questions asked satisfaction guarantee on everything they sell!

My dog sometimes get nervous when she is left home alone. These treats are great for her because both are chews that are good for anxious dogs. They must taste good too (I didn't try them myself) because my dog will do any command in order to get one! #WyldLifePets

Now get out there and get your gifts on time! Happy shopping.

I received these products at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

MASSAGE DAY

I like a good massage. It is true. I have had plenty of them. But I recently had an experience with massage that I cannot explain. Keep reading and promise not to judge me. 

As I made my appointment, I asked for the therapist who could provide some pretty deep tissue work. The staff recommended Steve (or Scott...I don't really remember and it doesn't matter). This therapist massaged me in places I have never been massaged before. Not THOSE places, guys!! He basically only worked in my armpits, glutes, and pelvis/hip bone area. He worked these areas so deeply it took 1.5 hours. While he was doing it, it didn't feel comfortable and in my head I was saying I would never ask for those areas again, but as he finished the areas worked felt so much more relaxed. It was intense. While working my glutes, he told me people often hold emotions in this area. It was super tender for me. I asked, "Are you telling me I hold my emotions in my right buttcheek?!"

He replied, "Yes, I guess I am saying having feelings is a pain in the butt."

Well played, Mr. Massage Guy.

Once Scooter (I really can't remember his name) was finished, he politely walked me to the front desk to manage the payment. I was following him down the hall and started getting giggly. He turned to me and said they call that being "massage drunk." OK whatever. I was at the desk and I just started laughing. The receptionist girls began laughing with me which made me laugh even more. They told me not to be embarrassed and this sort of thing happens all the time. I told her, "Nothing is funny, but I can't stop laughing." One girl brought me a glass of water as I sat down to compose myself.

Feeling in control, I took a deep breath and stepped up to the front desk again. The receptionist started explaining some sort of membership she wanted me to join to get monthly massages. I honestly could not pay attention. She looked at me and I said, "I feel like I am going to cry." She offered to phone me later to speak about said membership and I walked out. I sat in my car and began to cry. Let me say, I feel like I am pretty good at understanding and controlling my emotions, but I have no idea what was happening.  This was the strangest experience with massage I have ever had.

So I googled crying after a massage. Turns out it happens to other people more than I knew. Apparently, we hold emotions inside and when certain areas are worked and opened up, toxins and emotions can come out and make themselves manifest. I believe in the power of touch. I believe massages can relax and release tensions inside our body. I still don't understand it, but I think I needed this time on the table. 

Three cheers to letting go of the toxins in our life that seem to be overwhelming us or holding us back.

Check out this article someone sent me to help me understand this experience a little better HERE.

WATCH OUT MC HAMMER BCUZ YOU CAN TOUCH THIS

My name is deanna and I'm an addict.

That's right...I'm addicted to 2-for-1 Saturday at the Utah College of Massage Therapy. I've gone 2 weeks in a row now and I wouldn't mind going EVERY week for the REST of my life if the massage therapists are as good as Mike and Kevin were to me. That's right--deanna's ideal date is a 2-for-1 and ice cream (or pasta...thanks Nathan).

I posted this as a note on facebook Thursday, June 7, 2007...but I don't know if anybody reads those notes so I wanted to put it up here:

“It is the magic of a touch, the power of a hug . . . that make life joyful.”

I recently have learned how extremely powerful a touch can be. IKEA offered free 15 minute massages for all employees the first week of it's grand opening and I quickly signed up each morning for my spot. It was wonderful! As I sat there taking the relaxation in, I realized the power of a touch. How could this massage heal my aches and pains giving me energy to be willing to finish my shift? Then it came to me...touch! That's how healing began.

Think about how often Jesus heals by touching – or by someone touching him, specifically the hem of his garment. Jesus reaches out to touch a leper and cleanses him. At other times, Jesus rubs mud on the eyes of the man born blind, takes the hand of the temple leader’s daughter whom everyone else thinks has died, puts his fingers in the ears of a deaf man, and Jesus heals them all. Jesus is not afraid to touch those persons who will make him ritually unclean by Jewish law. Jesus uses his touch, his hands, to lift up, to strengthen, to encourage and to heal.

Last week, my 3 year old nephew fell and came up to me crying for me to "kiss it better." I did. He instantly stopped crying and went back to playing. I overheard a little boy tell his father in a store that he had a headache. The father asked what he wanted him to do and offered to kiss it better and the two were able to continue shopping (that scene was adorable by the way).

In the book 'If Life Were Easy, It wouldn't Be Hard' (one of my top 10 favorites), Sheri Dew wrote of a little girl she knew who was afraid of the dark. Every night, she and her mother went through a ritual designed to make her feel secure in her room. But inevitably, during the night, the girl would sneak into her parents' room and climb in bed with them, at which point her mother would carry her back to her room. Her mother tried every argument she could think of to convince her daughter she would be ok. One night she said, "Honey, your father and I are just down the hall. You'll be okay, Heavenly Father is watching over you." To which the little girl responded, "Mom, don't you know? Sometimes you just need someone with skin on." It's true. Sometimes we just need to hug someone, reach out to someone, or have someone reach out to us.

There is just something about contact comfort. I remember several times I turned to a friend when I needed help and he would allow me to come over and fall asleep in his embrace...we didn't talk about what was happening, in fact we would turn on a CD and I would fall asleep crying. He may not know how eternally grateful I am for his friendship and how much I needed that shoulder to cry on -- to know that someone was there to care about me-- but it meant sooo much to me.

Science tells us that a touch triggers the release of brain endorphins — an endogenous analgesic more powerful than heroin or morphine. But touch is more than just a scientific confluence of brain chemicals. Touch tames wild animals, can soften a heart, provides more warmth than a fireplace can, it can calm our worries and give us confidence, and in the end...just feels so good. Oh and the best part about touch is that it's worth a million, but doesn't cost a cent!

Am I saying if you see someone get hurt you should try to kiss it better? Well, maybe...but don't hold me accountable for the reaction...and be careful if it's a complete stranger...boys behave! Just some food for thought. Many know that I like hugs. And when I get or give one I feel recharged and celebrate joyfully. deanna loves you. xoxoxo