The Best of Valentines Day: Decor and Crafts!

So we’ve finally got you in the spirit, huh? Now, let’s get your home in the spirit! Here are some simple crafts that you can make and a few simple design tricks that will instantly give you a Love Shack!

Make your own Heart Garland or Heart Wreath to hang in your home. These are simple and fun crafts for you to do with your kids, your friends, or even by yourself!

This year, buy yourself some flowers! They don’t have to be a splurge, even the classic and inexpensive carnations will do. But this time skip the pre-made arrangements and buy one or two of the types of flowers all in one color. Make your own bunches by varying the textures of similar colored flowers like the images below.

These main bunches should be placed at your most seen area of the home, like your entry table, your main eating table (kitchen or dining room), or family/living room coffee table.

Leave a few steams out and place those in smaller vases throughout your home. A few on the bedside table, in the bathroom, or at the family/living room side table will instantly give your space face lift.

Make red or pink a bit more prominent in your space. Do you have any red-binded books? Group them together on a shelf or give them a more visual location to sit this month. A red bowl, platter, or mug? Put it out on the table with some candy or snacks, or place it by the front door to throw your keys and wallet in, or use these as a temporary vase for a flower or two. A red or pink blanket? Throw it over the side of the sofa or the back of the chair. The more visual you make the holiday colors in your home, the more decorated and put together it will seem. And since these colors are eye catchers, a little will go a long way!

Happy decorating!

Ellenor

Best of Valentine's Day: Treats!

No matter how anyone feels about Valentine’s Day, we can’t imagine that anyone can argue with the delicious treats that go along with it. There are pink and red heart-shaped treats galore this time of year, but why not try your hand at making something rather than buying. After all, it does come from the heart.

Lucky for you a heart is a simple enough shape to make and so can be incorporated into the easiest of baked goods, some of which you probably already know how to make! The pancakes shown above were made with a quick swoosh while the batter was still in the pan. Martha Stewart shows this and more in her Valentines gallery. Here are a few easy tools and ideas for you try out this year:

A set of Heart-shaped cookie cutters can be used to make anything you desire into a heart felt treat! This set includes 6 sizes and is a steal from Amazon! Just imagine all of your possibilities!

Jazz up a plain ol’ cupcake with these festive Cupcake Holders. The Bakers Confections shop on Etsy has a great variety of different liners that can match any occasion! But these liners don't have to just hold cupcakes... get creative and use these to hold candy, a scoop of ice cream, or a morning muffin!

Add simple decoration to a basic treat and they'll be delicious, thoughtful, and festive! The edges of these heart shaped cookies were decorated with sugar which make them look so much more special! The same idea can be used with sprinkles or frosting.

Happy baking!

Ellenor

Best of Valentine's Day: Gifts!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you might find yourself scrambling to get that special gift for that special someone. Lucky for you, Ellenor has put together some great gift ideas for your loved ones.

Best Gift to Buy:
Why not give a gift that gives back this year? The Lu Parker Project has teamed up with a local Los Angeles florist, Colors in Bloom, and Kuranda Dog Beds to do just that for this heart-felt holiday... When you buy a bouquet of beautiful flowers through The Lu Parker Project, you are also providing a dog bed to the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter.
The beds are needed in all of the dog kennels to keep these homeless pups from sleeping on the hard and cold concrete ground. These dog beds are specially designed to elevate the dog off of the ground and are made from highly durable products so the pups can't destroy them. The materials also allow for them to be easily cleaned by the staff. The elevated beds not only keep the dogs off the ground (where they often relieve themselves), but they are also easier for older dogs as they provide more joint support and make it easier for them to get up from laying down.
Simply purchase your bouquet through The Lu Parker Project, and then pick up your bouquet and adorable card on Sunday, February 13th, or Monday (V-DAY!) at one of the two convenient locations in Los Angeles. For all of the information, to purchase the beds, make a donation, and to track the progress of the donations click here!
Spread the love this Valentines Day with the Have a Heart, Donate a Bed program! While these dogs may not have a warm home to belong to, at least you’ll give them a warm and comfortable bed to sleep in!


Best Gift to Make:
Money is tight for everyone right now, and Valentine's Day is about showing someone how much you care, not how much you spend! Here are some easy to make ideas to show your loved one you're thinking of them...

Marvelous Mustache Valentine Cards! These simple cards from Paper Source are sure to bring a smile to anyone lucky enough to receive them!

Tea for Two? Do you have a tea (or coffee) lover in your life? Buy them their favorite type or a specialty brew and put your own little label on the package with a sweet note. They'll think of you whenever they drink it knowing that you were thinking of them. Easy and thoughtful!

More "Best of Valentine's Day" tomorrow!
xoxo,
Ellenor

The Best of Valentines Day!

Most men hate it. Women either love to hate it or hate to love it. And kids love it, mostly because of the relaxed school day and excess candy. No matter how you feel about it, Valentine's Day comes every year. And this year's is just around the corner.

But don't fret, Ellenor has put together a “Best of Valentines Day” to help you through it this year. Stay tuned this week for our best gift ideas, treats, crafts, and ideas on what to do with your sweetheart.

Tomorrow's post, the best Valentine's Day gift ideas!

xoxo,
Ellenor