If you didn’t watch the big game last night (and judging by the fact that it surpassed the M*A*S*H finale in 1983 as the most watched television program of all-time with 106 million viewers, not many of you missed it), then you missed a great game that saw the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to win it’s first ever Super Bowl .

The game had it all, drama, intrigue, surprises, big plays and of course….great commercials! Ultimately, the match-up of 2 great teams came down to a late mistake from one of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation.

Colts quarterback (and the NFL’s only 4 time MVP) Peyton Manning’s 4^th quarter interception was returned for a touchdown and ultimately sealed the game for New Orleans and it’s saviour quarterback Drew Brees. (Or Breesus as he has since been anointed by the team’s faithful.)

While I am a self-proclaimed die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, I was rooting extremely hard for New Orleans. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, it is great to see that there is once again hope and excitement in the French Quarter. Congratulations New Orleans on winning Super Bowl XLIV.

So in your eyes, instant classic, boring game….or was it all about the commercials for you?

This week we are featuring five days of great gift ideas for Valentine’s Day. Budget is on a lot of people’s minds again this year. One great idea for your significant other is to treat them to a romantic home, cooked meal. I know I thoroughly enjoy every time my hubby cooks a special meal for me.

If you are technically-challenged in the kitchen then a fondue is the right meal for you! If you can cut up food and melt cheese and/or chocolate then you are good to go! This also makes a romantic meal as you can feed each other tidbits of food. Here is a link to some great fondue pots and another to fondue recipe books, so you can find the perfect pot and recipe for your special night.

Don’t forget a nice bottle of wine to go with your meal. Here is a link to some great wine-related products to help add to the atmosphere.

We also have put together more great idea for a romantic evening here, and don’t forget to check out our Valentine’s Gift Advisor for more great ideas.

I know I am behind almost everyone in North America on this, but I finally decided to go and see Avatar last weekend and was very glad I did. I live in a small city with a small theatre, and I missed my opportunity to see it at a large city on Vancouver Island over the Christmas holidays. I had decided if I couldn’t see it in 3D it was probably not worth the experience.

Then, my husband talked about it to one of his coworkers and found out that our tiny local theatre (Carib Theatres) had done some extensive renovations in the last few months as we have a screen that can play 3D movies! What are the chances of that? The screen is located the farthest north of any 3D screen in BC, so people are actually leaving larger centres to come here and see the movie.

We also found out that the theatre doesn’t serve butter on the popcorn (only margarine), but you are more than welcome to bring your own and they will melt it for you. LOL

We really enjoyed the movie. It was unlike anything else I have ever seen We fully expected to be overwhelmed with the 3D effects, but found it just contributed to the overall feeling of the movie. We all got lost in the story and forgot about the 3D until a really amazing effect came on. I would highly recommend this movie. Really try and see it in 3D if you can get the chance, but I suspect it is amazing in 2D as well.

Here is the trailer for you to watch. Head over to the official movie website for lots of information and fun extras to get you in the mood for watching.

I moved to Dubai a few months ago, and as you probably are aware, it is a pork-free country. Even though I love bacon, I wouldn’t go as far as saying I miss it, and I might even argue that I my waistline is better off without it (….that and poutine!).

Well! Imagine my surprise when I stumbled onto an article today that states 43% of Canadians would actually choose bacon over sex!!

Puh-lease!

What’s worse? 23% of people who participated in the survey in the Prairies admitted to wondering whether their partner loves bacon more than them! Seriously people – do you think we have a problem in our Canadian bedrooms?

On the plus side, the same news release announced the launch of Maple Leaf’s new re-sealable, 100% recyclable bacon packaging. Now, that is good news! Or is it? Will making it easier and more convenient to prepare bacon further affect our already suffering sex lives? Hmmm….something to ponder!

With Valentine’s Day coming up in a little over a week, we thankfully have something other than our stomachs to focus on! Perhaps you’ll take the opportunity to share a delicious bacon-free dinner, and finish things off with some well-deserved time in the bedroom!

PS – if you are looking for sexy lingerie or fun toys to further spice up your sexy-time, take a peak at our great Valentine’s gift suggestions and buying advice.

I heard that the body shaper company Spanx was getting into the swimsuit market the other day and almost jumped for joy! They are a leader in the field of body shapers for women, and (as a purchaser of one of their products) I can say they actually do live up to all the hype. They are a surprisingly comfortable way to smooth out your lumps and bumps.

Wearing a bathing suit in the summer is something not many women look forward too, so if they have found a way to help enhance what we have while smoothing out the ‘not so attractive’ spots then I am in. They are only available on the Spanx website right now, so head on over there and have a look. Then come back and let us know what you think. We would really like to know if they also work as advertised. Photo from Spanx.com

Yesterday I had to make a trek to my chiropractor and ended up coming home with a puppy. What could be a better Valentine’s Present?! His Chocolate Lab female had puppies and I just couldn’t resist. :-) Our 15-year-old Pomeranian passed away in September, and we were finally ready to get another dog when this opportunity presented itself.

She is a chocolate lab/border collie cross. The owners called her Buttons because she has an outie belly button. :-) We just got her yesterday and are trying to find a name, or stick with Buttons. We could use some input! She is mostly dark brown, but has a small white goatee and white patch on her chest.

Now that I have your help on that I can concentrate on the dog-related shopping. LOL

My first purchase was “How to Raise the Perfect Dog” by Cesar Millan. Now on to the Shoptoit.ca Dog section to load up on all the essentials!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it seems that every guy I speak to is terrified of disappointing his sweetheart. Guys, I feel your pain – I can’t imagine it is very easy to try and impress when expectations are so high for one day!

We may say that Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love but with the onslaught of clever marketing, it has become painfully apparent that Valentine’s Day has become much more focused on finding a gift than on taking the time to truly think about what is most important to your partner.

Last year we ran a poll, and as it turns out, women are way more interested in spending a beautiful romantic evening with their sweetie, than receiving jewellery or flowers (although I think it would be untrue to assume that jewellery would be a bad thing!), and men chose sexy time with their lovely ladies over gifts (no surprises there!). But when you really think about it, both results speak for themselves: Valentine’s Day comes back to spending quality time together and toasting a relationship.

Did you know that the colours and types of flowers you purchase can send a message of their own? If you do plan on sending flowers, make sure you check our guide on the true significance of flowers and put a little extra sentiment into your gift.

No matter which way you choose to go about spoiling your loved one, we have some helpful buying guides to show you care. If you are planning a romantic meal together, take a look at our great guide on Aphrodisiac Foods to help make the most of it. If you are thinking of popping the question, our comprehensive research on how to buy an engagement ring will help you make the most informed buying decision possible. If you are considering picking a new fragrance for your love, this article compiles the year’s top-selling colognes and perfumes for men and women. Finally, if you are looking for help on shopping for sexy intimates, make sure to check out our complete guide on the art of buying lingerie.

We have also compiled some gorgeous gift ideas (every suggestion is handpicked!) into our interactive gift selector tool which will help you find the perfect gift suited specifically to your partner’s interests. As well, some of your favourite merchants like Charm Diamonds, La Senza, The Shopping Channel, and Pink Cherry Sex Toys have recommended some of their most popular items for Valentine’s Day.

Either way, Shoptoit.ca is the place to get everything you need to make this Valentine’s Day as memorable as it should be, as painlessly as possible!

Rearview mirror Bluetooth unit

It’s official: the grace period in British Columbia and Ontario for cell phone use while driving officially expired last night.  Now anyone caught texting or talking on their cell phones behind the wheel will receive heavy fines – no more warnings!

Hands-free cell phone use isn’t illegal however, so with the convenience of a Bluetooth or other wireless device you can safely take/make calls from behind the wheel.  Check out this great guide that walks you through the pros and cons of the various Bluetooth devices out there, from headsets and earpieces to stereos and GPS systems.

Last night was the big 2010 Grammy Awards. It was a celebrity-packed, music-filled event! If you are now looking to buy the music from some of the winner last night we are here for you. :-)

2010 Grammy Nominees CD – A compilation of music from some of the nominees.

Kings of Leon : Use Somebody – Winner of Record of the Year

Winner of Best Rock Performance by A duo or Group with Vocals

Winner of Best Rock Song for Use Somebody

Taylor Swift : Fearless – Winner of Album of the Year

Winner of Best Female Country Vocal Performance for White Horse

Winner of Best Country Song for White Horse

Winner of Best Country Album

Beyonce Knowles : I am….Sasha Fierce – Winner of Song of the Year for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

Winner of Best Female Pop Vocal for Halo

Winner of Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

Winner of Best R&B Song for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

Winner of Best Contemporary R&B Album

Album : Cadillac Records Music from the Motion Picture  – Winner of Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for At Last

Zac Brown Band – Winner of Best New Artist

Jason Mraz : We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. – Winner of Best Male Pop Vocal for Make it Mine

Winner of Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for Lucky (with Colbie Collait)

The Black-Eyed Peas : The E.N.D. – Winner of Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo for I Gotta Feeling

Winner of Best Pop Vocal Album

Bela Fleck : Throw Down Your Heart – Winner of Best Pop Instrumental Performance

Booker T Jones : Potato Hole – Winner of Best Pop Instrumental Album

Lady Gaga : The Fame Monster – Winner of Best Dance Recording for Poker Face

Winner of Best Electronic/Dance Album

Michael Buble : Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden – Winner of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Bruce Springsteen : Working on a Dream – Winner of Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance

AC/DC : Black Ice – Winner of Best Hard Rock Performance

Judas Priest : A Touch of Evil – Live – Winner of Best Metal Performance for Dissident Aggressor

Jeff Beck : A Day in the Life – Winner of Best Rock Instrumental Performance

Green Day : 21st Century Breakdown – Winner of Best Rock Album

Phoenix : Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Winner of Best Alternative Music Album

Maxwell : Blacksummers’ Night – Winner of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for Pretty Wings

Winner of Best R&B Album

Check out the Grammy’s site for the rest of the big winners.

Well Kathy and I just got back from checking out the Olympic Torch as it was carried through our community. We were looking for the runner and were surprised to see the flame way up high. LOL It was being carried by a lady in a horse-drawn buggy. :-)

As we live in the Cariboo region of British Columbia I would have to say it fits with the town theme.

There was not a huge turnout in our neighbourhood, but we were near the beginning of the run and I hear there were quite a few people downtown.

For those of you that are thinking “I didn’t know the Shoptoit.ca offices were in the BC, let alone the Cariboo” you are right! Shoptoit has a few lucky employees who get to work from anywhere there is an internet connection. Thus, the two of us live in small town BC where it is much easier to get to some of these event than if we lived in the city. For example, the torch run was just a block away from my home.

Out here in BC there is quite a bit of excitement surrounding the fast-approaching games. It seems like almost everything is in order for the games except for mother nature not co-operating and blessing us with the warmest January on record. I certainly am not complaining about that. :-) And they seem to have it handled by flying down snow from higher elevations. LOL

If you can’t come and visit BC for the games, treat yourself to some great Olympic swag from our merchants! See all the great stuff here.