With Valentine’s Day on a Monday, you might want to celebrate a little early. From parties to dinners, we’ve picked romantic Cypress-area locations where you can concentrate on that special someone. These places also make great date night locations. To be close, pick your new home in Marvida today.
Party Hearty
The Spicoli’s – 80’s Valentine’s Party
The Barn at The Frio
6 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12
$10 advance, $15 at the door, VIP packages available
Tease your hair, grab your acid-wash jeans and slip on those Doc Martens because it’s 80’s night at The Barn. The Spicolis will play hits from the 80’s while you enjoy sing-a-longs, cocktails, beer and a great time!
Couples Massage
Relax and rejuvenate side-by-side with your special someone. The Signature Massage offers tension release and your choice of scented massage lotion.
These extravagant packages are your ticket to romance. Pure Romance includes your choice of an aromatherapy or hot stone massage, facial, chocolate body therapy treatment from and chocolate-covered strawberries. Escape Together features a private sauna, massage and facial. Date Night provides a glass of wine or spa water to accompany your massage and sauna treatment.
Mint Body Med Spa and Wellness
Spend the entire day at the spa with a Duet Day package or half the day with the Date Nite package that includes champagne or wine, a fruit platter, facial, massage, body wrap and lunch.
Have Some Fun
$30 per person per room
Escape responsibilities and a locked room while having the time of your life. Rooms are private for your comfort and safety. You have 60 minutes to figure out the clues.
Times vary. Sat. and Sun., Feb. 12 and 13
$35-$58 per person
Spend the weekend in artistic endeavors. Date Night paint packages are for ages 18 and up. You paint one side; your partner paints the other. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of your favorite vintage.
Days and times vary
$20 per person
Take your romance to new heights. A single-day pass includes climbing, yoga and use of the fitness area.
$75 Two private lessons for new students
Get ready to tango, foxtrot or cha-cha with your loved one. No judgement and no worries. You’ll be tripping the light fantastic instead of on each other’s toes in no time.
Romantic Dinner
Marvino’s Valentine’s Day Dinner
3-9 p.m. Mon., Feb. 14
$69 per person for 3 p.m. seating
$79 per person for 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious three-course prix-fixe Italian dinner including appetizer, main course and dessert. Upgrade your dinner with Chateaubriand for two for $95.
Dario’s Steakhouse & Seafood Valentine’s Day
3-9 p.m. Mon., Feb. 14
$89 per person for 3 p.m. seating
$99 per person for 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.
What’s better than Surf & Turf for Valentine’s Day? Surf & Turf with appetizers and dessert!
If you are a stay-at-home mom or dad, chances are you are feeling a little isolated. As much fun as a baby or toddler is, they aren’t the most stimulating conversationalists in the world. That’s why many parents turn to playgroups. Playgroups provide parents with much-needed adult companionship and toddlers with opportunities to learn social skills. Can’t find one in your area? Here are some tips for starting your own.
What You Are Looking For?
Not everyone wants the same thing when it comes to a playgroup. Maybe you want to get together with parents of babies for stroller walks and advice on setting sleep schedules. Maybe you want to give your toddler an opportunity to socialize with others. Being honest with yourself will help when it comes to advertising your group and selecting members.
Indoors, Outdoors or Both
Where do you want to meet up? Toddlers are happy anywhere, but you should establish a regular meeting spot. Some groups enjoy rotating between members’ houses. Others like meeting at playgrounds. If you attend a local church that doesn’t have an established playgroup, see if you can meet there. Parents living in Marvida can meet up at clubhouses, pools, parks and splash pads.
Set Dates and Times
Prospective members should know if the playgroup will be weekly, bi-weekly or monthly and how long it will last. An hour to 90 minutes is plenty of time for parents to talk before toddlers start getting cranky. When deciding on a meeting time, take naps into account. Most babies and toddlers do better after they’ve had a chance to sleep.
How Many?
While it’s tempting to leave membership open-ended, that might not be the best policy. The more parents and toddlers meeting up, the more chaos there can be. Think about how much space you will have. If you meet at individual homes, four or five children are generally more than enough. Meetings at parks and playgrounds can accommodate more families.
Rules are Important
Set ground rules before your first playgroup meeting. Will parents be expected to bring snacks to share, or will everyone be responsible for bringing their own? Ditto for toys. How do parents handle disciplining misbehaving children? Will you allow them to discipline yours if they see something you don’t? What will be the policy if you can’t make it or have to cancel the meeting? What about when a child is ill?
Advertising
Once you have an idea how the group will run, it’s time to recruit members. Social media or creating a Meetup group is an easy way to go. The disadvantage is that you may be meeting up with a group of strangers who don’t share your parenting values. Consider seeking out neighbors with toddlers or parents that attend toddler story time at your local library. If your toddler seems to seek out a particular child, suggest a play date. If that goes well, suggest starting a playgroup.
Session 0
Meet with parents before bringing the children together. See if there is chemistry. Establish rules and guidelines. This allows parents to decide if they want to join before introducing children into the mix. Suggest a trial run. If everything works out, congratulations — you’ve formed a playgroup.
A home is more than four walls and a ceiling. A home reflects your family. Every family is different so every home should be. Tricoast Homes sees that. They understand that you don’t want a generic floor plan. You want a home that fits you.
Tricoast Homes is only two years old, but its founders have a combined total of 60 years in the homebuilding business. The team — consisting of Christian Sommer, President & CEO; Keith Blum, Executive Vice President & COO; and Van Nguyen, Executive Vice President & CIO — has worked for some of the biggest new homebuilders in the business. They’ve seen what works for families and what doesn’t. Their goal is to use that knowledge to build a home you can be proud of.
That starts with the floor plans. Tricoast designs make sense for modern families. They include large open kitchens, so you have room to prepare dinner and spend time with your family. Garages with plenty of room for your cars and storing your gear. Space is a priority these days, so many floor plans include flex rooms that can change as your family changes.
Options increase your ability to create the perfect home. Extended patios mean more room to entertain. Bonus rooms let you add a game or media room. Design choices allow you to add ceiling beings, sinks in the laundry room, mud room benches and more.
Even better, your home is designed with longevity in mind so you can make memories for years to come.
Sales of Tricoast homes in Marvida will be starting soon. Which means you will soon be moving into the home of — and community of — your dreams.
In Cypress, there are many locally owned businesses not far from a new home in Marvida. Who owns them? Your friends, your neighbors — maybe even members of your own family. Support them this holiday season by buying your gifts at their shops. It’s a great way to find a unique gift and support your community. We’ve put together a list of small business owners to get you started.
For the Kids
Find clothing as unique as your child at this cute boutique offering clothes for babies up to size 14 for girls and size 8 for boys.
Locally owned so every child can be greeted by name, this neighborhood toy store boasts a carefully curated selection of dolls, dress-up clothes, educational games, cars, trains, Legos and more.
Adult Clothes and Accessories
Need a gift for the fashionista in your life? This boutique specializes in clothing and accessories tailored to their individual style.
What’s not to love about a boutique housed in a cottage and owned by a mother-daughter team? The store features popular brands as well as artisanal candles and bags.
What will you find at Suburban Girl? What won’t you? The store stocks cute clothes, one-of-a-kind jewelry, home goods and beauty products.
Everything you need is at this one-stop shop specializing in name brands such as Kendra Scott, Gorjana, Waxing Poetic, Goodr, Brighton, Kissy Kissy, Tyler Candle Co., Corkcicle and Farm House Fresh.
Fashion that doesn’t break the bank is the specialty of this small boutique that offers a personalized shopping experience.
Distinctive Gifts
Copper Kettle Chocolate Factory
This Cypress favorite is the perfect place to find gifts for friends with a sweet tooth. Purchase individual pieces or put together a delicious assortment of treats.
The Age of Aquarius is alive and well in this store that features crystals, essential oils, salt lamps and items to help the gift recipient meditate.
Decorate your home for Christmas or any other holiday you celebrate. You’ll also discover fashionable clothes, decadent jewelry and other fabulous items.
Little Eclectic House
Need a hostess gift? Find it at this charming boutique located in a 100+ year old home carrying home decor items, furniture, custom furniture, clothing and jewelry.
Bike Barn
The cyclist in your life will appreciate bibs, gift cards, water bottles or — dare we say it — a gorgeous new bike!
Comic book fans rejoice, this ode to all things DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and other publishers is ready for you. The store also stocks figurines, Funk Pops and action figures.
Warm-ups, dance bags, hair ties, wall hangings, dance skirts and leotards are sure to brighten any dancer’s day, and this store devoted to all things dance is the perfect place to find them.
