What are your thoughts on receiving roses for Valentine’s Day? Is it too cliché for your tastes?
Roses are so classic & beautiful in my mind…that I’d be happy to receive them on V-Day (or any day for that matter).
Red, pink, white, or yellow…one, two or a dozen…yup, I’d be happy as a clam to get this beautiful V-Day cliché!
{Click images for their source}
We’re approaching the first weekend of February…where has the time gone? I feel like we were just celebrating New Years! But alas, time marches on…which means that all too sappy & sweet holiday otherwise known as Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!
I really do enjoy V-Day even though I’m usually single for it! I wish I could still hand out hand-written valentines & candy to my coworkers like we used to do back in elementary school!
So in honor of the impending holiday I decided to do a little round-up of Valentine’s Day/Love-themed tidbits from around the web to get us all in the mood:
Sweet collaboration of True Love in Pictures…*sigh*
I adore this simple, but chic print!
I’m obsessed with this love song…and the way he looks at his wife as he sings it!
Must try making this “gem” of a DIY valentine.
Would you care to receive any of these gifts for V-Day (if you’re a woman)?
Such a beautiful idea…love letters to your future spouse.
Guide to aphrodisiacs and some recipes to boot!
A few winter date ideas…that won’t break the bank!
Spark some romance with these DIY Valentine luminaries.
Some decoration inspiration for V-Day!
Ok, ok, I’m done…wouldn’t want you to gag from all this mushy love stuff!!
Hope you all have a great Friday!
{Click images for their source}
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? I have, which is a miracle…but I also really limited who I was buying for this year since I’ll be out of the country for Christmas (Mexico, woohoo)!
If you need some inspiration for unique gifts, may I suggest you check out a few of these fabulous blogs:
Joanna has put together a thoughtful & creative gift guide…you can really tell how much she loves her family & friends!
A super swanky gift guide, which has me drooling…especially over those gifts for the bar…
Here is a list of 50 gifts under $50! Be sure to check out Sequins & Stripes for where to shop for all these goodies!
Jordan has put together a list of 10 gifts that are “Experiences,” such as a hot air balloon ride!
Another great gift guide for men & women!
…Isn’t it such a great feeling when you’ve picked out the perfect gift for a loved one…I love being filled with anticipation as they open it!!
Happy Shopping & Giving!
{Click images for their source}
All of these cute wishbone jewelry pieces would be fun to wear on Thanksgiving Day…
Don’t you think?
{Gold}
{Silver}
{Rose Gold}
{Bronze}
{Bracelet}
…would you wear any of these wishbones? I’m loving that rose gold necklace myself!!
{Click images to shop on Etsy}
S’mores are just so good. I mean really good. Finger-licking good.
With the weather becoming just right for gathering around a bonfire or fire pit…I think having a S’mores Kit on hand would be an extra special touch!
Here’s some inspiration…
{Image via Oh Happy Day, click for directions & more photos}
{Image via Fancy That}
{Image via Green Wedding Shoes}
{Image via TSJ Photography}
{Image via Style Me Pretty}
{Image via Creature Comforts, click for directions & more photos}
{Click photos for their source}
Last night was spent roasting marshmallows at my best friend from high school’s beautiful new home in St. Paul. She and her husband just moved back to Minnesota after living out East. In an effort to find a decent housewarming gift…I decided to embrace our dear state Minnesota as inspiration. Here are a few MN-lovin’ ideas:
Oh-so fabulous new poster of Saint Paul by Ork Posters:
{Click photo to shop this pillow from Catstudio}
Nicolette Island print by Mark Herman, which happens to be where my friend got married:
{Click photo to shop this print (and more) at The Bibelot}
A book that highlights MN’s home-grown goodness:
{Click photo to shop this book at The Bibelot}
The cutest little cheese board, with a delicate heart cut-out right on St. Paul:
{Click photo to shop this board from A. Heirloom on Etsy}
Yesterday’s East Coast earthquake certainly was interesting…it was apparently strong enough to leave cracks in the Washington Monument. While I’m glad no one was hurt, it did make me smile to see this little gem put on sale at the Etsy shop Corduroy the day of the ground shaking:
{Hand-drawn, one-of-a-kind mug by Corduroy}
I really came to the Etsy shop to purchase one of the Honey Badger mugs for my friend Jen who introduced me to the hilarious YouTube video about the badass Honey Badger. Have you watched it? I think it’s a hoot…watch it here, but be forewarned that there is some swearing involved!
{Honey Badger Don't Care Mug by Corduroy}
{Honey Badger Don't Care Can Koozie by Corduroy}
{Click photos for their source}
“I believe in the universality of art’s function, a heritage of involvement of everyone – the youngest to the oldest, the artist, the viewer. A subliminal communication of feelings about the human condition. My paintings are expressly directed to evoke an emotional reaction from the viewer.” – Gino Hollander, 2010
Listen to this lovely story…a Minnesota woman, Eileen Cain, purchases an original painting by Gino Hollander, a renowned California artist, in a second-hand shop. She falls in love with the style and decides to track down Hollander with a request. Will he paint her mother’s portrait for her 89th birthday? The answer is a resounding “yes”…but with a hefty price tag. Cain, a part-time school worker, cannot afford the cost.
This is not the end though…as Hollander emails Cain back that as for the cost, “it’ll all work out.” Racking her brain for ideas, Cain decides to quit smoking and use the proceeds from what she would have spent on a pack a day purchase, amounting to about $1,600 a year.
And so Cain’s mother, Alphie (mom to 17 children), received this beautiful and one of a kind portrait capturing her as a young woman:
{Alphie's Portrait, photo via Star Tribune}
How fantastic is Gino Hollander…and what a wonderfully thoughtful daughter Eileen is. Wouldn’t you love to surprise a loved one with such a special portrait…I know I would. Read the entire story here from the Star Tribune. And check out Hollander’s work here at his blog.
{Click photos for their source}
There are so many creative people out there…one such being Jordan from Oh Happy Day. She teamed up with Yahoo!Mail to create this special DIY project entitled Postcard Birthday Poster. It sounded perfect for my best friend’s 30th birthday…especially because many of his close friends & family live in other states.
Jordan’s blog post comes complete with step-by-step directions, beautiful photographs & even all 25 downloadable postcards. Since I was in a time crunch & going for 30 and not 25 postcards I created a word document which I took to FedEx/Kinkos to have blown up, laminated & cut into the 30 (4 ¼ X 6”) postcards.
I sent out all of the pre-addressed & stamped postcards with directions to the intended 30 friends & family at the end of June. That way all through-out the month of July my friend started receiving the postcards.
Unbelievably the last of the cards arrived the day before his July 29th Birthday. It was so special hearing how his confusion at first turned into excitement and anticipation as the poster slowly came together.
I loved receiving text messages with him proudly declaring his progress… 
I highly encourage anyone out there to try this little poster project…it was a big hit, packaged with a lot of love! And check out Oh Happy Day for many more ingenious ideas!
{Click photos for their source}
I’m a tad bit obsessed with jewelry…shiny, sparkly, colorful earrings, necklaces, bracelets & rings! How gorgeous are these lust-worthy pieces from the Etsy shop Friedasophie…and the best part is their price tag isn’t too outrageous!
…Check out the Friedasophie shop on Etsy for many more stunning pieces. It’s hard to choose just one to buy!
Happy shopping…
{Click photos for their source}
