The Ultimate Valentine’s Brunch

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I could pretty much eat it for every meal with all the savory and sweet offerings. So celebrating Valentine’s with my loved ones with a celebratory brunch seems like the best way to show them how much I adore them! Here are my perfect details with my sample menu:

Ina Garten’s French toast bread pudding recipe is for the sweet lovers

Mario Batali’s Chorizo and Monchego strata recipe is for those that want to start with a savory treat

Valentine’s tablecloth, Sears, $62

Flower burst mug, Tenereze, just $8.40 through Valentine’s Day!

Foil dot napkins, Anthropologie, $24

A luscious red velvet cake, Williams-Sonoma, $70 *You could make one yourself too!

Personalized cylinder toasting flutes, set of 2, Tenereze, $25

Valentines of the Past and Present

There’s nothing quite like receiving the unexpected Valentine. They’re sweet and to the point. Here’s a look through time of Valentines from the past up to the present. How have they changed and do you like the older versions or our new interpretations?

Vintage Cottage Home

Via Pinteres

Graphics Fairy

Hill City Bride

And now…

Foxy favors Valentines box via Paper Source

BubbyandBean

PeteKDesign

LaCasuni

zuCards

Valentine’s Day Sale!

We hope you’re feeling the love. From now until February 14th, 2013, we’re offering 30% off all our Valentines themed items.

Whale You Be Mine mug, now just $8.80

Love Pillow, now just $18.90

Colorful Conversation Hearts Frame, now just $16.80

Bubble Gum Machine Shirt, now just $12.80

Love Mug, now just $8.40

Porcelain heart dishes, set of 10, now just $7.70

And there’s plenty more. See the full list of items on sale here!

*Bridal Worthy* Screen Actors Guild Red Carpet Looks

It was the night of demure and sophisticated black gowns. Everyone from Nicole Kidman to Anne Hathaway to Amy Poehler wore the most slimming hue. I was hoping for more color.

For me, the highlights included Kerry Washington’s (*totally bride worth*) structured Rodarte gown…

…and Jessica Chastain’s impeccable red satin gown (which is also *bridal worth* in my book)!

*Bridal worthy* Badgley Mischka, no doubt!

Images via LA Times

Unique Weddings : A Life Less Ordinary

I’ve seen some incredibly unique real wedding ideas this week and I had to share. Have a wonderful, warm and safe weekend, everyone!

Floating butterflies – how brilliant is that? Image via Martha Stewart

Wedding rings passed around for guests to pass on well wishes. So sweet! Image via Real Simple

A whimsical and absolutely original backdrop for the dining area. Image via Rock N’ Roll Bride

Remember the Viewmaster? A wedding invitation unlike any other. (Darn, I wish I still had mine)! Image via Bridal Musings

Probably the most original engagement ring I’ve seen in a while. Even for a black diamond – look at that chunky setting! From Art Masters

It’s hard to believe this sculpture is edible but it’s a wedding cake! Image via 100 Layer Cake

The Sweetest Valentine’s Gifts + Activities for Kids

One of my favorite holidays when I was a kid was Valentine’s Day. I relished writing out each person’s name and dropping them in the little makeshift “mailboxes” we made for the special day. I excluded no one (that would be cruel!) and adored getting little hearts and treats in return. What better way to encourage acceptance, love and friendship with a kid than through Valentine’s Day? I don’t see any reason to fret or feel left out – ever.

I love making Valentines with my niece and I always get her a little treat to celebrate the day. Here are some of my top picks!

Totally custom! Bubble Gum Machine Pillow, on sale now for $18.90

We love custom projects. Include a cute photo of your little ones and make a sweet custom tag for candy-giving.

Help them make something sweet like these iced heart cookies from Cake Journal

Chocolate hearts from Dylan’s Candy Bar, $18

I Love You frame, on sale now for $16.80 (and it’s made in the USA!)

Let them pick an adorable Valentine’s Day card from Tiny Prints or make your own!

Five Easy DIY Projects You Do with String, Ribbon and Paper!

I am a craft and art supply hoarder. I can’t help it. I have two entire closets and two bins in the basement of items that I think I will need someday. Because what happens when I need something and don’t have it? I kick myself for not having bought it off the clearance rack. One of the things that you can never have enough of is various strings, ribbons and yarn types. See five great examples of what you can do inexpensively with string!

Various grosgrain and satin string tied around a simple chair achieve a fabulous ombre effect via Wedding Ch

Wide, varied and fanciful ribbon make a grandiose backdrop via Style Me Pretty

A rainbow of colored ribbons and tissue poms make a real statement against nature via Wed Over Heels

Cut your own crepe paper sheets for fringy fun via Oh Happy Day

Who says a corsage has to be floral? Tie on a velvet ribbon corsage via Martha Stewart Weddings

Inauguration 2013 : What Michelle Wore

Wasn’t the inauguration and the ball just lovely yesterday? Everyone was watching to see what First Lady, Michelle Obama would wear and I was certainly no exception. I loved last year’s Jason Wu gown (which was totally *bridal worthy*, by the way), with it’s hand sewn flowers and floating hemline.

For the 57th Presidential Inauguration Reception on Sunday she chose American designer Michael Kors and her wardrobe staple J. Crew for belt and shoes to accessorize for morning festivities.

And as a side note, I loved Sasha and Malia’s coordinating coats on Capital Hill (Kate Spade and J. Crew, respectively). And Michelle’s Thom Browne was a tasteful, refined choice for a coat.

I totally didn’t see it coming but she wore a Jason Wu again! I absolutely adored it!! The color was so striking on her and the neckline was simply dazzling. Not to mention the luxurious fabric just draped beautifully on her figure. Now the big question: Did it top last year’s ethereal dreamlike gown? You decide!

10 Sweet Gestures for Valentine’s Day | Print Out List

I love to plan surprises. Parties, gifts, anything. So with under a month left, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to plant lots of surprises and little goodies for my husband to discover. I’m hoping to pull off at least five of these!

Classic Accessory Updates for 2013

We’re just a couple weeks in but I’m already seeing trends and classics that will certainly carry us through the entire year and beyond. Everything from updated translations on pearls and rhinestones to the a-line bridesmaid dress with modern details, there are endless possibilities.

Grosgrain ribbon and rhinestones are updated with contemporary grouping Eschutcheon d’Orsays pumps, $330

Discreet rhinestone clasp pearl necklace, on sale now $16.80

This is not your mother’s bridesmaid dress with a sophisticated high collar ruffle Blakely dress in silk taffeta, $200

Classic lace is made modern with a long hanging side veil Jannie Baltzer headpiece

Lace gloves