HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Valentine's Day Bonanza - Day 3

Even though we don't celebrate Valentine's Day, we still exchange cards. It is an excuse to be sappy and write some cheesy haiku just to put a smile on one another's face. There is also something exciting about picking out a card. Sifting through hundreds before finding that perfect one. I am getting chills just thinking about it. Yes, yes, I am crazy...don't judge...mmmkay??

Anyways, while I do enjoy Hallmark and their selection, this past year I had to swear it off for good. I was busy picking out a card for my Dad's birthday. I always try to get him something funny and this year was no exception. So I narrowed it down to 2 candidates and was trying to pick the winner when something weird happened. I could not remember if one of choices was the card I gave to my Dad 2 years ago. It was funny, and definitely something I would normally give him, but it was also somehow familiar. ARGH! After agonizing for about half-hour, I decided to just buy it. Thankfully, it was not a repeat, but the whole experience ruined card-buying for me forever. I decided it was worth it to me to pay a little more for a guarantee that my card is unique. So I turned to Etsy. With thousands of pages of handmade cards there is no way I can repeat a card.

With that backstory in mind, take a look at some of my choices for one-of-a-kind Valentines cards. All these cards are truly unique, and fit different tastes [and budgets]. Some are more personal, some are funny, and some are just plain adorable. And even if you think it is too late, some of these [like the Russian nesting doll] are downloadable and very cheap. So you can print one out in time for the 14th! Here goes:




purchase here



purchase here



purchase here



purchase here



purchase here



purchase here



purchase here

Let me know which ones you like, even if they are not one of the cards I picked! =)

Valentine's Day Bonanza - Day 2

Going on a date? Girls night out? Plans with Mom? Forced romantic dinner with your boyfriend/husband/bootycall? Whatever the plan you should look cute...why? well why not!! Also, this is the one time of the year when wearing red or pink dress is perfectly acceptable...in fact it is almost required! So leave your LBD on the hanger and embrace color...here are some cute options to get you started:

1. For a dinner at a five star restaurant




2. For a wine-tasting and a Broadway show



3. For drinks with your girls...or a casual date with that cute guy from class



4. For daytime...whether it is yoga or shopping for lingerie the spirit of V-Day is there =)



5. My personal favorite! And it is suitable for whatever plans you've made...yes, even lunch with Mom...



6. Still afraid of too much color? Then try a classic black dress with a red accent, such as this rose applique




all images from shopstyle.com.

If you like any of my picks then go to style.com and get one for yourself. All of these are still available and are very affordable.

So do you have a dress/outfit picked out yet?? Yea, me neither =)

Valentine's Day Bonanza - Day 1

In honor of V-day I will be doing a 5-day bonanza with all things Valentines. Before I begin let's just talk about the holiday a little. Now, many think it is a Hallmark holiday that is cheesy and choose not to celebrate it. Frankly, I don't much care for the commercial aspect of it. Romance should be random, not planned and prepackaged in a red heart-shaped box. But, being as tacky as I am, I love hearts, I love pink and red things and I love chocolate. I also have a very personal reason for loving St. Valentine. My grandma, may she rest in peace, was named Valentina, after the saint. My cousin, who is the father of my godson, is also named Valentin. So the day has special significance for me. Therefore, I will enjoy the holiday in their name, literally and figuratively. And since this is my blog, you will enjoy it with me. So lets start with drinks!!

I was originally going to save it for last, but I had to drive to UPS to pick up a nailpolish package so I am sort of pressed for time. Therefore, I will leave the more in-depth posts for later, and start with what I know best =)

Even if you choose to shun the holiday, it falls on a Sunday, which is followed by a true holiday, so drinking will likely to happen. And in the spirit of tacky romance, there is no reason to not include red in your potent potables. At the very least it will be a nice change from beer, or dirty martinis. So as a courtesy of cosmopolitan, here are some V-Day themed recipes:

Kerasi (cherry in Greek)



- 2 oz. peach vodka
- 1 oz. cherry puree (just blend fresh pitted cherries)
- 1/2 oz. peach liqueur
- 1/2 oz. cherry brandy
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- Sparkling wine, like Cava

Shake all ingredients but the Cava over ice and strain into a flute. Top off with Cava. Garnish with a cherry.

Strawberry Kiss


- 1 1/2 oz. Absolut Vanilia
- 1/2 oz. strawberry liqueur
- Splash of CranPineapple juice

Combine ingredients and top with champagne. YUMmmm....champagne!


Watermelon Martini


- 3 oz. Ketel One Citroen
- 1 oz. Watermelon Pucker
- 1/2 oz. Cointreau or triple sec
- Splash of lemonade
- Splash of 7-Up

Mix all ingredients together over ice, shake, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of watermelon.

Rediscovered Cherry Cosmo


2 oz. Smirnoff Black Cherry vodka
1 oz. white cranberry juice
3/4 oz. Cointreau
Splash of fresh lime juice

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker, and add ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with fresh or dried cherries.

Pink Margarita


1 1/2 oz. tequila
1/4 oz. Campari
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. honey

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a tumbler. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a lemon slice and mint leaf.

pictures and recipes courtesy of cosmopolitan.com. Check them out for 11 more delicious recipes.

I hope you try one of these, and please let me know if you do...or if you have any recipes of your own you'd like to share!! Especially mojitos!
But, please please please drink responsibly!