Rom-Coms That Won’t Make You Vom

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The simple fact of the matter is that the vast majority of movies aren’t very good. There are always sterling examples of great films that emerge every year, and some years have a better crop of movies than others, but the reality of the situation is that it’s easy to indict a genre based on its worst examples, especially when there are so many. Perhaps no subgenre has been more maligned than the romantic comedy, as there’s been a plethora of clichéd, subpar and outright terrible entries in the form. But it isn’t the case across the board. Beyond just the classics – like “It Happened One Night,” “The Apartment,” “Splash” and others – there are other prime examples of filmmakers doing interesting and innovative things within the genre.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, here is a list of great romantic comedies that people who aren’t too into the subgenre should check out. Some are classics and some are overlooked gems, but they all make clever decisions that bring out the best in romance and comedy and produce something that has lasted the test of time.

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2015 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

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The type of gift you give will naturally be determined by the type of relationship you have, but in every case, it’s important to put some thought into it. Paying attention to the little things go a long way, so a gift that’s very personal will make a bigger impression than the price tag. With that said, brand-name gifts are guaranteed to make her friends jealous, and what women doesn’t love that? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Gunter Wilhelm Cookware & Cutlery

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Whether your loved one is a professional chef or just acts like one in the kitchen, you can’t go wrong with Gunter Wilhelm, which produces high-quality cookware and cutlery that lasts longer, makes food prep easier and results in tastier meals. Their stainless steel cookware is some of the best we’ve ever used, boasting a 5-ply construction that offers superior conduction and even heat distribution, which means that you can throw on a piece of fish or meat directly from the freezer and have it ready in under 15 minutes, restaurant-style. They also feature a rivetless design that make them easy to clean; an electropolished, stick-resistant mirror finish that eliminates the need for sprays, oils or butter; stay-cool silicone handles that are oven-safe to 500 degrees F; and vented, self-standing lids with a temperature port for digital thermometers. If you don’t want to break the bank on one of their cookware sets (though they’re always running deals that are practically a steal), Gunter Wilhelm’s cutlery – from a 7-piece beginner set, to a 26-piece executive set with 12 steak knives – makes for a great alternative. These knives are amazing, with excellent weight and balance, a comfortable grip and an extra-wide blade for enhanced performance. Along with the cookware, they’re the perfect complement to any kitchen.

STREET by 50 On-Ear Wireless Sport Headphones

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SMS Audio’s STREET by 50 line may not have the name recognition of a brand like Beats by Dre, but it’s a worthy substitute with comparable audio. The problem with a lot of premium headphones, however, is that they’re not exactly built for working out. STREET by 50’s Sport collection looks to address that with the introduction of wired and wireless on-ear headphones that, much like the less stylish Soul+ Combat, are designed with active lifestyles in mind. They’re IPX4 rated for sweat resistance and protection, with a sweat-proof chamber within the ear cup and OVALFIT perforated leather memory foam on the headband and ear pads that provide comfort and breathability. The headphones also boast professionally-tuned 40mm custom drivers for high-quality sound and include a one-click microphone, on-board track and volume controls, ear covers for added protection and a sports towel. But perhaps most crucially, they’re surprisingly lightweight, which makes them ideal for gym rats and marathon runners, especially women who can’t wear the bulkier models while moving around.

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2014 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

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The type of gift you give will naturally be determined by the type of relationship you have, but in every case, it’s important to put some thought into it. Paying attention to the little things will go a long way as well. A gift that’s very personal to her will make a bigger impression than the price tag on the gift. That said, you can’t go wrong with brand-name gifts that will make her friends jealous. Here are some ideas to get you started.

The Bouqs Co. Flowers

Buying flowers can be a horrible experience, which is probably why a lot of guys don’t even bother. But what if there was a company that not only guaranteed fresher flowers at a reasonable price, but did so in style? That’s the basic concept behind The Bouqs Co., which cuts its flowers (from the side of an Ecuadorian volcano, naturally) on the day you order and delivers them within two to four days. Fed by pure volcanic snow melt and mineral-rich, pH-balanced soil, the flowers are brighter and can be enjoyed longer compared to other online floral companies. Better yet, it costs a flat $40 for a bouquet with shipping, and there are no annoying up-sells like cheap candy and stuffed teddy bears. Additionally, The Bouqs Co. farms practice sustainable, eco-friendly farming, only cutting what they sell, and offer its workers competitive living wages and services like on-site childcare and healthcare, and adult education. It’s win-win, so you no longer have a reason not to get your special lady the flowers she desperately wants.

Blendtec Designer Series Blender

A kitchen appliance may not be the most romantic gift on Valentine’s Day, but trust us when we say that your wife or girlfriend will absolutely love the Blendtec Designer Series Blender, especially because it means you can focus more on each other instead of food prep. While many people are content with filling up their kitchen cabinets with gadgets that only serve a specific purpose, the Blendtec Blender is effectively 12 appliances in one, including a coffee grinder, food processor, hand mixer, ice crusher, ice cream maker, whole juicer, meat grinder and immersion blender. Featuring a powerful 1560-watt, 3-peak horsepower motor, this thing is an absolute beast, blending just about anything you throw at it… and up to five times faster than its competitors. (Don’t believe us? Check out the company’s series of Will It Blend? videos on YouTube.) It’s also incredibly easy to operate, with six preprogrammed blending cycles and a touch control manual-speed slider. Though the Blendtec is a little bit on the pricey side, when you consider how many different machines you’d have to buy to replicate its various uses, it more than pays for itself.

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What to buy a guy for Valentine’s Day

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When picking out a gift for that special lady in your life, there are plenty of options to choose from, whether it’s timeworn classics like flowers and candy, riskier presents like lingerie or more thoughtful items like a day at the spa. But if you’re on the other side of the relationship, buying something for your loved one on Valentine’s Day isn’t quite as difficult as some people would make you believe.

Though ties may seem like the kind of throwaway gift that people pick up at the last minute, that doesn’t make them any less useful. Even men who don’t dress up on a daily basis need a tie or two in their wardrobe, and those guys are often the ones that require the most help when it comes to choosing the right one. That’s where the folks at Ties.com come in handy, offering a variety of styles, colors and accessories that will keep you looking your best.

The company sent us over a trio of Valentine’s Day-hued neckties (read: purple and pink) that we wouldn’t normally think of buying ourselves but actually looked really great with formal and casual outfits. We also got a really cool paper-rock-scissors bow tie that forced us to search on YouTube for instructional videos on how to tie the damn thing – something that every man should learn at some point in their lives.

And the best part is, many of the site’s ties are not only budget-friendly, but they’re also incredibly well made. So what are you waiting for? Give your lady a hint by keeping the Ties.com website open on your computer for her to see, and with any luck, your wardrobe will be much improved in no time. If all else fails, you can always use the tie in the bedroom instead.

  

Hearts and models for Valentine’s Day

Here’s a fun gallery to get you in the mood for a holiday that is targeted primarily to women. We worked with a studio in Los Angeles that had a fun heart-shaped guitar that we used for several sets, so here you see the amazing Jessica Hall and the lovely Athena Lundberg with some great shots posing with the guitar. We also have sexy Rachel who placed a heart drawn with lipstick in a spot that will definitely grab your attention. Enjoy!