There may be no single day on the calendar that sends shivers down the spines of grown men everywhere more than Valentines Day. It’s a pressure-packed minefield, where we are constantly forced to one-up ourselves from year to year, knowing full well that one false move could result in at best a temporary silent treatment, at worst a temporary ban from the bedroom – it could even be the final explosion that destroys a rocky relationship for good. In a way, its a lot like bodybuilding – you’re only as good as your last time out. So, in an effort to lend a helping hand, we decided to poll a few of the most beautiful women in the business on a list of do’s and don’ts to make sure you don’t end up in the doghouse. Again. For more pictures of these four gorgeous ladies, courtesy of FLEX photographer extraordinaire Robert Reiff, check out the bonus gallery HERE.
ELAINE GOODLAD, 43 FLEXONLINE: Rank these potential Valentines Day gifts in order of preference: A. Perfume B. Jewelry C. Flowers D. Chocolate E. Lingerie F. Stuffed Animal ELAINE GOODLAD: I’d say jewelry, lingerie, perfume, chocolate, stuffed animal, then flowers.
FLEX: Flowers are pretty low for you. ELAINE: Yeah you know what? I like gifts that mean something to me. Flowers just seems like the quick fix, they didn’t put any thought into it. Like Oh gosh, Valentines Day? I’ll get flowers. It’s a thoughtless gift, even though they’re pretty. And I do like flowers, don’t get me wrong. But it’s just too predictable.
FLEX: What kind of jewelry? ELAINE: I love rings. I like it when it’s left up to the guy in a way because he’s expressing himself. It’s something he likes to see, something he thinks is beautiful and sexy and if I like the guy I’m with I’m going to appreciate his opinion. But if they get you something that you never wear and you’re like, What the frick did you buy me that for? So it’s got to be something you like. I prefer white gold or sliver.
FLEX: Brass is out of the question? ELAINE: (Laughs) Anything that turns my hand green is out of the question.
FLEX: What is more romantic? eating out or a home-cooked meal he prepares himself? ELAINE: A home cooked meal he prepares.
FLEX: What if he’s a horrible cook? ELAINE: Take me the heck out, that’s for sure. It would still be a good gesture, because if you’re a real romantic you get caught up in the gesture and the moment. If it tastes like crap then you laugh about it and you go out anyway.
FLEX: True or False: Women don’t have to get their husbands/boyfriends anything on Valentine’s Day. ELAINE: I think false. I don’t think that’s a little old fashioned. If you appreciate the person you’re with, whether you’re a man or a woman, you’re gonna want to get them something.
FLEX: Could you be with a man who got offended if you didn?t get him anything on Valentine’s Day? ELAINE: I think if man’s feelings got a little hurt and I would understand why? ummm no. You know what? (Laughs) No. Because even if he was a little hurt inside that I didn’t get him anything, he would still want that day to be more special for me than he would be for himself. So if a guy was going to start pouting like a girl? No. That would be a turn off. If you’re feelings are hurt keep it to yourself.
FLEX: On a scale of 1-10 how important is Valentine?s Day to you? ELAINE: Maybe a 5. If you can only express appreciation for the person you’re with one day of the year? it’s nice to do something extra-special that day but it can’t be everything.
FLEX: The lowest amount of money acceptable to spend on you for V-Day is: A. 50-100 dollars B. 100-200 dollars C. 200-400 dollars D. Over 400 dollars ELAINE: I really don’t care as long as something comes from the heart. Is that putting me into the cheap zone or what? (Laughs). If I get something that came out of a popcorn box I might be little bit offended but if somebody gives me something from the heart and they only spent 80 dollars on it I don’t care. It’s still gonna mean something to me.
FLEX: True or false: Provided there is a valid reason, it is perfectly acceptable to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a day other than February 14. ELAINE: Absolutely.
FLEX: True or false: It is pointless to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a day other than February 14 because you will still expect some type of present on February 14. ELAINE: No, false. If celebrated on another day it really doesn’t matter to me. The date isn’t a lock down for me.
True or False: There is a scenario where a strip club would be an acceptable destination for you on Valentine’s Day. . ELAINE: False.
MARY LADO, 29
FLEXONLINE: Rank these potential Valentines Day gifts in order of preference: A. Perfume B. Jewelry C. Flowers D. Chocolate E. Lingerie F. Stuffed Animal MARY: Jewelry, perfume, roses, chocolate, stuffed animal.
FLEX: And lingerie last? MARY: Oh woops, I forgot about the lingerie. Let’s put the lingerie third.
FLEX: What’s wrong with stuffed animals? MARY: You really just throw em off to the side and don’t really do anything with them. They just sit there. I used to throw em on my bed but I don’t get stuffed animals anymore.
FLEX: Do flowers always have to be part of a package deal or are they ok just by themselves? MARY: They’re ok just by themselves.
FLEX: What is a good substitute for roses? MARY: An exotic bouquet. I like those, those are nice. With like birds of Paradise and stuff.
FLEX: What is more romantic eating out or a home cooked meal he prepares himself? MARY: A home-cooked meal that he prepares himself.
FLEX: True or False: Women do not have to get their boyfriends/husbands anything on Valentines Day. MARY: I think it’s false. You should get something to show that you care. You want to treat em just as good as they’re treating you. (Laughs)
FLEX: So would give more than a card? MARY: I would give more than a card. Everybody likes to be surprised, so a little surprise.
FLEX: Would you be able to date a guy who got offended if you didn’t get him anything on Valentine’s Day? MARY: I don’t think so. No.
FLEX: Would you end a relationship over a disappointing Valentine’s Day? MARY: Not unless it’s really disappointing. Something really bad, off the wall. (Laughs).
FLEX: On a scale of 1-10, how important is Valentine’s Day to you? MARY: Ummmm…I’d say like a 6.
FLEX: What’s Christmas? MARY: Christmas? A 10. (Laughs) Christmas is my favorite.
FLEX: True or False: Provided there is a valid reason it is perfectly acceptable to spend Valentines Day on a day other than February 14. MARY: Hmmm. Yeah, true.
FLEX: You don’t sound too convincing. MARY: I guess because everybody does something that day you kind of feel the need to do something on February 14. You can always have Valentine’s Day whenever you want.
FLEX: The lowest amount of money acceptable to spend on you for Valentine’s Day is: A. $50-100 dollars B. $100-200 dollars C. $200-400 dollars D. Over $400 MARY: A. Fifty to hundred. That’s fine. As long as it’s a good day.
FLEX: True or False: There is a scenario where a strip club would be an acceptable destination for you on Valentine’s Day. MARY: A strip club? Would be good for me on Valentine’s Day?
FLEX: Acceptable. MARY: Naaah. I don’t really get kicks out of it. Ever since I got into figure and fitness and I see a stripper now I’m like, Oh ok. (Laughs) It doesn’t really give me thrills.
GINA ALIOTTI, 23
FLEXONLINE: Rank these potential Valentines Day gifts in order of preference: A. Perfume B. Jewelry C. Flowers D. Chocolate E. Lingerie F. Stuffed Animal GINA: Chocolate is last. Stuffed animal first. Perfume third. Jewelry second. Lingerie fourth.
FLEX: Why is lingerie so low? GINA: I’m not really big into lingerie in the bedroom (Laughs). I’m a pretty basic person. Lingerie is not so hot.
FLEX: Why flowers first? GINA: More sentimental I think.
FLEX: Do flowers always have to be accompanied by another present or are they fine by themselves? GINA: By themselves is just fine.
FLEX: What kind of flowers? GINA: Roses are nice because they symbolize love. But at same time if a person has a different preference the flower of their choice would be nice just to give it a little more thought.
True or False: Women do not have to get their husbands or boyfriends anything on Valentine’s Day. GINA: Including a card?
FLEX: Not in including a card. GINA: True. A card definitely.
FLEX: Could you date a man who got offended if you didn’t get him anything other than a card? GINA: No.
FLEX: The lowest amount of money acceptable to spend on you is: A. $50-100 B. $100-200 C. $200-400 D. Over $400 GINA: An acceptable amount? The first one.
FLEX: Including dinner? GINA: Oh, including dinner? Then one to two hundred.
FLEX: Provided there is a valid reason, it is compeletly acceptable to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a day other than February 14. GINA: Yes. True.
True or false: It is pointless to celebrate Valentine’s Day on an a day other than February 14 because you will still expect a present on February 14. GINA: False. My boyfriend is working on Valentine’s Day, that’s why I say it’s acceptable.
FLEX: So you’re not even expecting flowers? You’re easy. GINA: Oh no, I am. A card or flowers would be nice and expected but a dinner or celebration, if that person’s working, you can celebrate on different day.
True or False: There is a scenario where a strip is an appropriate destination for you on Valentine’s Day. GINA: False.
FELICIA ROMERO, 25
FLEXONLINE: Rank these potential Valentines Day gifts in order of preference: A. Perfume B. Jewelry C. Flowers D. Chocolate E. Lingerie F. Stuffed Animal FELICIA: Since I am a competitor, I would have to choose chocolate for Number One. They can never go wrong with chocolate. Two would probably be flowers. Three lingerie. Four jewelry. Five stuffed animal. Then perfume.
FLEX: Any type of lingerie in particular? FELICIA: I like the whole thing, the garter belt, the set. I like girly stuff, so anything with the girly? like red, girly colors. So anything that’s super flattering, the bra and the matching panties and then the garter belt. It?s kind of fun to dress up.
FLEX: ANY KIND OF LINGERIE TO AVOID? FELICIA: Yeah, anything too tacky. Anything over the top, like too much leapord print or something like that.
FLEX: Are flowers enough of a present by themselves? FELICIA: I think it’s enough of a present by themselves. Honestly, just as long as I’m with the person that I love I’m fine with whatever. But I do like variety. I like roses, but sometimes it’s nice for the guy to kind of use his imagination a little bit.
FLEX: What kind of flowers besides roses? FELICIA: The exotic, the different colors, the tulips and the daisies. Just use your imagination and put something together that’s a little bit different.
FLEX: True or False: Women do not have to get their boyfriends anything on Valentine’s Day. FELICIA: And it’s just True or False? True. (Laughs) Women don’t have to get their boyfriend/husband anything on Valentines Day. I think it’s totally up to the girl. Maybe like a card, but it’s a girl holiday.
FLEX: Would you be able to date a man who got offended if you didn’t get him anything on Valentine’s Day? FELICIA: I would, yeah. I know some guys are maybe a little bit more sensitive to that sort of thing so I’m sympathetic.
FLEX: Woud you consider ending a relationship over a disappointing Valentine’s Day? FELICIA: No I wouldn’t, not at all.
FLEX: On a scale of 1-10 how important is Valentine’s Day? FELICIA: I would say it’s important .. maybe like a 6 or a 7. I don’t necessarily think you have to show the one you love on that certain day, you know This is your day. I think Christmas and your birthday are far above Valentines Day.
FLEX: The lowest amount of money acceptable to spend on you for Valentine’s Day is: A. 50-100 dollars B. 100-200 dollars C. 200-400 dollars D. Over 400 dollars FELICIA: I’m pretty easy. I would say A. I’m pretty low maintenance.
FLEX: True or False: Provided there is a valid reason – work obligation, out of town, etc – it is perfectly acceptable to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a day other than February 14. FELICIA: True.
True or False: It is pointless to celebrate Valentine’s Day on any day other than February 14 because you will still expect some type of present on February 14. FELICIA: False.
So you need nothing on Valentine’s Day? FELICA: No, let’s say we celebrated on a Tuesday? if that Friday he were to get me flowers? it wouldn’t necessarily have to be on that day.
FLEX: But you would still expect something else. FELICIA: Not necessarily expect, but usually its something that would be given. Its not expected but its nice.
FLEX: True or False: There is a scenario where a strip club would be an acceptable destination for you on Valentine’s Day.. FELICIA: False.
FLEX: Brass is out of the question?
FLEX: The lowest amount of money acceptable to spend on you for V-Day is:
FLEX: And lingerie last?
FLEX: Why flowers first?
FLEX: Including dinner?
FLEX: ANY KIND OF LINGERIE TO AVOID?
FLEX: The lowest amount of money acceptable to spend on you for Valentine’s Day is:
