The Talker: Bacon-scented roses, 5-foot bouquets for your Valentine
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CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Valentine's Day festivities will be bigger, gaudier, and filled with more bacon than ever.
The National Retail Federation says people in America will spend $18.6 billion for Valentine's Day -- a slight uptick from last year. $4.4 billion of that will be for jewelry and $1.9 billion is for flowers.
Men are said to be spending $176 on Valentine's Day, women spend $89, and $815 million is the total being spent on Valentine's gifts for our pets.
On the extreme side of floral spending, 1-800-Flowers.com has an arrangement of 100 long-stem roses for $430, including a vase. Its competition, FTD is selling a 5-foot-tall black vase of roses costing $299.99.
A company called J&D's in Seattle is selling bacon-scented roses made of wood. It's not clear how the bacon smell gets in there, but it's said to last for months.
The website Bacon Today has a recipe for making a bouquet of actual bacon roses, using a muffin pan and a drill to make holes for grease draining.
The prospect of sex used to be implied in some Valentine's Day advertising. Have you noticed it's gotten more explicit?
One crass website claims to have determined how much money men need to spend in order to get intimate with their dates.
Then, there's the not-so-subtle advertising of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company.
"Guys, this Valentine's Day, size really does matter," the ad begins. "If you want the big reaction and the big reward, get her the Big Hunk of Love Bear from Vermont Teddy Bear."
What's your take on Valentine's Day? Like it? Hate it? Is it important? Overrated? Do anything special? How much will you spend? Tell us your thoughts on our Facebook Page.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Beauty used to be in the eye of the beholder. Nowadays, a phone-app is making some of the judgments. More than 5 million people have bought the "Ugly-Meter" app. Here's how it works: You take a photo,
Beauty used to be in the eye of the beholder. Nowadays, a phone-app is making some of the judgments. More than 5 million people have bought the "Ugly-Meter" app.
There's debate about how a school in Georgia -- and the local police department -- handled a 6- year- old who apparently threw a violent temper tantrum.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:36:33 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:48 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:48:27 GMT
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:44 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:44:38 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
