Setting the Mood

Next week I will be filming for a show called Beauty Spaces which will be airing on TLC, among other channels. One of the topics is going to be how you can transform your environment to promote romance in your relationship. There are so many couples, who in the hustle and bustle of their day-to-day responsibilities often neglect how their household (especially their bedroom) can make a difference in the overall mood when they get home.

Below are some simple things that you can do to help enhance intimacy in your surroundings. Many are quick fixes that are not only easy to address but don’t even cost a thing!

Arrangement:
Make the bed the focal point of the room. Clear clutter, toys and anything work-related (unless, of course, it’s Pure Romance bedroom accessories!).

If possible, try not to watch TV in your room or in bed. If you insist on having a television in your room, use an armoire to keep the TV hidden away when you are not using it. An Italian study found that couples who have a television set in their bedroom have sex half as often as those who don’t. The study also found that certain programs are far more likely to impede passion than others. Violent films will put a stop to sexual relations for half of all couples, while reality shows stem passion for one-third of couples.
Instead of watching the tube, light tea candles and sprinkle rose petals (Bed of Roses) across your sheets to let your honey know exactly what’s on your mind!

Personalize with Pictures:
Happily Attached? Add photos of the two of you together, select romantic frames or create a collage of special photos that bring back sexy and romantic memories. A good photo to use would be the two of you on your honeymoon or first holiday together (NOT pictures of the two of you in the hospital just after giving birth!). The point is to use photos that remind the two of you of the days when your love was new, or that represent romantic milestones in your relationship such as pictures from your 1st anniversary, 1st Valentine’s Day, etc. Also, try to avoid photos that evoke bad memories or sad feelings (the picture of the two of you with your now-deceased relative at the wedding is not a good idea). Try to restrict all photos in the room to be of you and your lover. Save your group photos for the hallway or living room.

Single Status? Display special pictures of you in romantic settings such as in front of a beautiful sunset on vacation. Use pictures that make you feel good about yourself and pictures that prove you don’t have to be committed to be happy and enjoy life. Use sexy wall art or framed photos of romantic scenery in black and white which can be customized to any room style, theme or color.

(General Rule of Thumb – While endearing, family photos or pictures of the kids can actually be distracting in the bedroom. Nothing can break the mood like looking up to see your precious 5-year-old looking down on you while you’re in the middle of sharing an intimate moment with your partner!)

Versatile Lighting:
Bright lights can be distracting and unflattering to some skin tones, try low wattage (40 watts or lower) to add comfort and serenity. Candles are great for lighting in the evening and can be used as decoration at the same time. If you’re planning to remodel, consider the adjustable light dimmers that can go from a soft candle like glow to a bright light at the touch of a button.

Choose soft colors that appeal to you. Psychologists have been studying the effects of colors on mood for many years and believe that colors play an important role in eliciting specific emotional responses. For example, a yellow room is thought to be playful and optimistic while a red room signifies stimulation and passion. Fortunately, we do not have to limit ourselves to the primary color palate. Each color has a broad spectrum of hues, saturation and brightness. You only need to choose a color that you like and there will be a softer tone more suitable for a romantic setting. If you like, green but feel that it invigorates just move down the spectrum to a sage.

Smell:
At night, use a scented candle to help set the mood and fill the room with a sensual fragrance. During the day, use Between the Sheets, which contains pheromones, as a sensual room spray. Before you leave for work, spray some Between the Sheets so you and your significant other come home to the sexy scent still lingering.

Touch:
Keep the Pure Romance Massage Oil Candle nearby making it easily accessible for any spontaneous sensual massages! You can also spray Between the Sheets on your bed linens for a silky feel (keep it close by the bed, on or in the nightstand for easy access).

Sound:
Don’t rely on your alarm clock radio to provide romantic songs to set the mood; you can never guarantee what songs even your favorite station will play. For commercial free music and guaranteed favorites, make a mix CD of your favorite slow songs. If you don’t have a CD player in your room, get one. A CD player with a remote is ideal. For a space-saving alternative to a stereo system, consider a clock/radio/CD player combo for your night stand. You can also purchase an i-pod docking station so you can have sexy playlists pre-made and ready at the drop of a hat! For the ultra-adventurous, check out the Vibro-Pod (a unique clitoral vibrator which uses the vibrations from the bass of your favorite Mp3 player songs!).

Taste:
Edible body creams, lubricants, arousal creams and lotions (such as Whipped, Ex-T-Cee, etc.) should be handy and accessible at all times. Dust Me Pink is also a delicious way to add some playfulness to the bedroom!