love, waffle house style

Personally, I think a Valentine's Day dinner at the Waffle House sounds like a great idea. I'll have the grilled cheese and hashbrowns, scattered, smothered, and covered, please. I noticed the one on Cheshire Bridge was sporting some rose-colored lighting, and now I know why.
{image: waffle house}

love and candy

One of my 5-year olds at work used the words "love and candy" to describe Valentine's Day, and I couldn't agree more. I really like this idea from Martha Stewart, especially since I've been looking for a way to use up the rest of the Dum Dums, after I've eaten all the cream sodas.

virtual entertaining: valentine's day luncheon

I love the planning part of entertaining, but it's the execution that I'm not very good at (coupled with the fact that my kitchen is currently under renovation). If I was giving a Valentine's Day luncheon (girls only), these would be the ingredients:

Table: ribbon placecards (using leftover Christmas ribbon), red and pink striped Ana Candles, red tulips, napkins made from fabric by pippijoe
Menu: grilled cheese and tomato soup, hot chocolate with marshmallows for dessert
Favors: striped lollipops

{images/details: 1. martha stewart, 2. ana candles, 3. the floral scent, 4. pippijoe, 5. candy warehouse, 6. martha stewart}

easy holiday (10): cookies

No time to decorate your freshly-baked (or freshly-bought) gingerbread men? Just sprinkle them with sugar crystals, like Sweet Paul did here (he also posted a gingerbread recipe, too).

easy holiday (9): paper

I try to keep my wrapping paper scheme simple--this year it was supposed to be red, brown, and white. But then of course I ran out and had to throw in some silver, too. I wrapped my special little gifts in the gorgeous hand-printed paper by Rifferaff.
P.S. Emily--that paper was one of my Etsy buys!
P.P.S. If you aren't wearing them, wellies make great wrapping paper stands.

easy holiday (8): ribbon

I think it's easiest when you choose a single ribbon and use it on all packages. I ordered two widths of red and white striped grosgrain ribbon from Ribbon Factory--good price and quick delivery. I'm sure I'll order from them again next year.

easy holiday (7): candy

Decorating with candy is always a good option. Eddie Ross does a great job, and I'd love to have a bowl of those beautiful mints from Sea and Jae (found via Simply Seleta). And how great would these lollipops look just all by themselves?

easy holiday (6): table runner

I'm more of a table runner than a full-on tablecloth girl--less chance of having to do some serious stain removal if it doesn't have to be too close to the dinner plates. This one would be nice, and proivde a little modern contrast to the family silver and goblets. From amenity, via Design Crush.

easy holiday (5): headband

Since I'm usually just a ponytail girl at night (especially when the static takes over in winter), slipping on a pretty headband like this one would certainly help to dress up my look.
{image: forever21}

easy holiday (4): centerpiece

It usually takes me about 45 seconds to put my red and white striped candles and ornaments in the big platter on my dining room table.

easy holiday (3): monograms

This idea (from Martha) looks pretty easy: use old cards to create monograms for packages. Probably would make passing out gifts on Christmas morning a little bit easier, too.

easy holiday (2): tags

These will be my package labelling tools: a red Sharpie, manila tags, and red and white twine. To make this even easier, you can buy a set of 100 tags and 15 yards of twine right here ($7.50), from Etsy seller Artful Images (that is where I got the pics).

easy holiday (1): stamps

Instead of trying to get to the post office, I just ordered all of my Christmas Card stamps online. Seriously, it is worth the $1 shipping fee.

i love fall: decorations

Seriously, fall is the easiest time of year to decorate, especially if you have an affinity for orange. Stack some pumpkins, throw out some gourds, and buy a couple of candles--you're set until December.
P.S. I seem to have developed an almost unhealthy obsession with Ana Candles, especially since they spiffed up their website.

i love fall: candy corn

And I love the candy pumpkins, too. As I was browsing the internet today, I found that you can pretty much do an entire candy corn theme in October if your little heart desires.

{images: paper source, martha stewart crafts, eleni's}

happy 4th of july!

Hope you have a safe and happy 4th! If you are looking to get really drunk this holiday (and have someone drive you home), might I suggest the Cherry Mojito, also affectionately known as the Martha Stewart Slammer.

With Love

In high school, I rarely had a valentine on that specific day, so instead my friend Leslie and I would make and send them to our favorite old ladies. One of the benefits of living in a small town was you could put them in the mail in the morning, and they'd arrive that afternoon, postmarked February 14th. Couldn't find one I liked for my grandmother, so I decided to get crafty again.

Non-Mushy Valentines

Found! At laura crow's Etsy shop.

Resolved

I rarely make New Year's resolutions, but this year I'm going to try three that I think I can handle:

1. Send birthday cards.

cecily ink

I totally dropped the ball on this last year. So I've already written all the birthdays in my new calendar, and I've got a fresh stack of cards ready to go. Except I've already missed Jen Kay's (Jan 2).

2. Try yoga.

Or meditation. Or deep breathing. Just something to free up some space in my anxious mind.

3. No more lip gloss.

Clearly, I have a problem. I am not allowed to buy another tube until at least 3/4 of these pictured are empty.

Holiday Wrap Up

Note to self: Must be more creative with wrapping next year, e.g., these packages found on my new favorite blog, ali loves curtis. She has some more great ones here.