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Shot Through the Heart

So you broke up. And there are a million hearts and happy couples everywhere.  We feel your pain.

Rather than spend Valentine's Day alone with your cats, Pinot and Noir, invite some pals over to take aim with help from these Valentine targets.  Use these printable bull's-eye Valentines to mark or mock the holiday.  

To play, you'll need a printer, projectiles (darts work), and photo of an offending party to tape in the center.  Though the drawings seem too precious to mar, working out a bit of aggression is worth the extra sheet of paper.

Invite a few friends over, turn on, say, Beyonc�, and nail the target of your former affections one last time. Best part... There's no need to keep score.  You win because you're free!  Click Here for Valentine Target.  Click Here for Last Minute Valentine card. (right image)  

Shots through the heart?  Meet shots of Jell-O or whiskey.  Or just about anything else that's ready to pour when guests arrive.  With this Heart and Arrow Ice Cube Tray what better way to melt your partner's heart than to have them melt yours in their favorite drink?  Each cube even has its own Cupid's arrow which can be used to stir your cocktail of choice.  Click Here to purchase. 

The Bar Necessities: If your chances are greater that you'll emerge from Valentine's Day with your honey more shaken than stirred, than you need to create this chocolate martini to calm the nerves and refuel the romance.

Creative Culinary, Barb Kiebel has trekked through a blizzard to get the ingredients for this Happy Hour Valentine's Cocktail, a Chocolate Martini made with Scharffen Berger Chocolate, (her favorite chocolate cocoa for cooking found at Whole Foods) and it looks as though it was well worth it!  This is not only a perfect gift for your Valentine, but you might even want to whip one of these sweet nothings up for you and your honey to sit by the fire on any romantic evening.  So hightail it over to Creative Culinary and get her recipe.  Click Here.

Heart-broken, heart-ached, heart-throb or heartless you have only one day to make something out of nothing. Go show some love and have a Happy Valentine's Day!

To Bee or Not to Bee     

Do a Body Good - Post Valentine's Day Treats

Healthy Kicks:  Valentine's Day will soon be over.  Sadly, if your experience was more "Best Buy"

Spa Boudoir

than "Bailey's", there's still time to pamper and reward yourself.  We've showcased a few healthy ways to get your heart racing.  And if these fail, there's always the shoe department at Saks.

Beauty Mark: Wipe away last year's grit with a facial from Spa Boudoir.  This small spa has earned the reputation as BEST in the city, hands down.  Get totally calm and relaxed with soothing music and the scent of eucalyptus.  Treat yourself to one of Jenny Midgette's facials or go for the total Brazilian ... no matter what your desire, you'll be thrilled with your close encounter of the spa kind.  Website

Sharpen Your Claws:  Keep your paws clean with a manicure and pedicure from Queen Nails... considered The BEST nail salon in Raleigh. In terms of cost, quality, and variety of polish you can't go wrong.  From the "included, not extra" paraffin dip and neck massage to the huge selection of OPI and Essie colors to the expert care and comfort ... nothing is overlooked or overpriced.  Looks like the've "nailed it".  Website

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff:  So you packed on a few in 2011. Nothing says love like a ticket to the fat farm (as long as it was your idea).  OK, so Baden-Baden wasn't in this year's cards? Get back

O2 Fitness Club

in the groove by joining O2 Fitness Club where nothing comes between you and your workout.  Clean and upscale, O2 is a breath of fresh air compared to other fitness clubs offering a full array of nutrition and exercise support for novices and addicts.  Check out their free guest pass.  Website

Pilates ... No, it's not an Italian Restaurant:  Jump-start the year by taking Pilates at North Hills Pilates (NHP).  NHP is a relaxed, laid back studio and not a place for large classes where students get lost in a crowd.  The studio is fully equipped with Reformers, Cadillac, Wunda Chair and Ladder Barrel and offers Pilates training in private and group settings.  Gumby's welcome.  Website

Go Nuts:  According to the Mayo Clinic, eating nuts helps your heart.  That's good since Valentine's was a bust.  They also help you reduce your appetite, increase your metabolism, and non-absorption.  Shell out to your heart's content at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or The Fresh Market.  So, what kind of nuts always seem to have a cold?  Cashews.

Easy to Swallow: We suck at cleansing. But eating healthy we can do. First order of business is to find something sweet that won't make you chubs.  Click Here for 20 sweet fixes for 50 calories or less from Better Homes and Gardens.  This will help you take the edge off a bad day at work without the guilt.

Get Rubbed the Right Way:  Get out of the cold and into the spa at Blue Water Spa- voted

Blue Water Spa

the BEST medical spa in America 3 consecutive years in a row.  From laser hair removal, laser skin tightening to microdermabrasion, massage or pampering spa packages, at Blue Water Spa will treat you to the ultimate in results and relaxation.  Blue Water Spa is the only medical practice in the Triangle area to receive the coveted Black Diamond Status for the most experience with the products, BOTOX � and Juvederm.  A pleasant way to hold back the sands of time.  Website

Tir na Nog Dinner & A Show - Thursday, Feb 16th, 7pm start:  Come to the Seamus Kennedy Irish Dinner & A Show to see this brilliantly funny and musically talented performer.  With a 7pm start you'll have an early night and be home by 10pm at the latest. The 3 course Irish dinner/wine & the show is just $35 per person. If you want to see the show Only and bypass the diiner .. the SHOW is only $10. Pre pay by making your reservation by phone ... A few days late for Valentines Day and a few weeks early for St Patrick's Day this makes a great gift!  Reservations: 919.833.7795;  Website

Meet the BeeHive Girls! The Behive Girls stationery and gift line is a fun colorful way to celebrate the power of girlfriends! These girls each have a special personality, with a humorous and positive message to share with all the amazing women in your life. 

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Fork & Barrel: Daily Specials & Events -  Wine Monday:  End your Monday with 30% Off All Wine Inventory Bottle & Glass, $ 2 Bud Light Draft, $ 3 Sam Winter Lager.   Happy Hour Monday- Friday:  Half Price Appetizers from 4 to 6:30.  Join Fork & Barrel Mobile VIP club and text FNB to 919-439-6501 to receive special offers & coupons.

 Fork and Barrel:  6675-105 Falls of the Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615, Tel: (919) 322-0190,  Email   

Let's Get Organized.  Make your first resolution for 2012 to get organized in your home.  Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you need help re-arranging all those fabulous books and accessories you received over the holidays or if you're finally going to take the plunge and re-decorate the family room, now that all the kids have flown the coop!   Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510. 

Price Reduced $599,000: 2748 St. Mary's St. Raleigh, 27609. Ideal Location! Walk to great schools, greenway and North Hills! Renovated in 1995. New paint/ refinished floors. DR w/FP, LR/Sunroom & large FR. Large White Kitchen w/granite & subway tile backsplash. 5 bedrooms. Private quaint backyard -wooden play equip, greenhouse, climbing trees, Covered Carport, & 1car garage, 2 decks, fully landscaped.  Contact: Jill Rekuc, Olde Raleigh Real Estate at 919-389-0555.  Website. 

Did You Know?  For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain. Please support our local business!  This is what The Beltline Buzz is all about. 

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