Stores have been letting us know that Valentine's Day is coming up since mid-January. Pink plush hearts, red foil wrapped chocolate roses, and "I Love You" smashed across windows leave no room for doubt that someone out there is buying, and receiving, all that well marketed luv. It can be kind of sweet, but it can also be frustrating if you're valentine-less this year. Friends make great valentines, but if you're looking for something more romantic, consider getting ready for next year with online dating sites.

Relationships are tough. Throw 2,000 miles into the mix, and they can feel impossible. It’s hard to leave a significant other while you run off to another state to pursue your dreams. But you have to at least try. Right?

The Loop may be off-air, but it left us with an important message: "you can't get mad at someone while you're eating fondue." While we won't put this to the test, we will whip up some delicious fondue. Cheese or chocolate, it's your call. Both rock. You may think that you don't have the requisite cookery, but we'll show you how to make do.

Remember when you wanted to catch some good stand-up comedy, so you went to the comedy club, paid $15 to get in, then had a 2 drink minimum on top of that? Luckily, in LA there are a lot of people dedicated to making you chuckle, chortle, and pee in your pants, and they don't want you going broke just to see them. Just ask Elliot Steingart, who started a monthly FREE comedy night called Melgard Mondays for just that reason (more on that below). And people all over town have the same idea. Here are LA's funniest (or at least fun-est) nights of free stand-up comedy.

Boy meets girl. Boy asks girl out (or vice versa; this is 2010 after all) and then freaks out about paying for impressive date(s). Hopefully not if he's been paying attention. You should know from earlier articles (kinda like the ones you can find here and here) that there are plenty of cheap date options. And, if you're looking for even more, our lady friend over at 365 Cheap Dates hooks it up with original, affordable venues for love. But, keep in mind that even the best big idea needs finishing touches.

Most of us have heard statistics about HPV, HIV, gonorrhea, pregnancy (!) ... the list goes on and on. Let us break it down for you: sex is fun, but you can't afford to expose yourself to major risks. The LA Times just reported about the growing proclivity of those in early adulthood to have more partners. Protect yourself as much as possible. Let's face it, STDs and unintended conception are just not that much fun, and can lead to unwanted expenses.

The traditional wining-and-dining rigmarole could use a little pick-me-up. Although dinner is a good time to chat, an activity-centered date provides more ice breakers and opportunities for developing inside jokes. Worry less about splattering spaghetti sauce and more about whether your date can form a coherent sentence (not always a plus). Avoid awkward silences by doing something fun.