Valentines Day Lovelies

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Click here to read about one of the sweetest dates. Makes me jealous. :)

Winners!

The winners of the BPS Photography Classes are:

Taking Great Photos with Any Camera = Misty

Getting Out Of Auto Mode = Aleshia Marron

Moving into Manual = Elizabeth

Picture Spring Workshop = Baby Peach

Congrats! Email me and I will get your prizes.

Amour.

Coeur de Pirate || Comme des enfants from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.

Listening to this makes me want to french kiss. Isn't that the best part of Valentines day anyway? That and the chocolate.

Sorry if I am a bit mushy this Valentines day. Shane and I had our first date 10 years ago next week. That day my whole world changed. I guess I have love on the brain.

And if you were wondering, no we didn't kiss on our first date. He did hold my hand though. It was cold from the Wendy's frosty I was eating. By that time, we had been on our date for about 12 hours (we spent the entire day together). We listened to the French music I had in my car. It started out that I was just hanging out with a cool guy I knew. By the end of the night I was 99% sure he was the one.

Mon Amour. Je T'Aimais, Je T'Aime, Je T'Aimerai

Valentine Craft Idea - Pot of Love

When Shane and I were newlyweds I wanted to make him a special valentine card. I was taking a local bookbinding class and I had an incredible amount of scrap paper, so I came up with the idea of making a "Pot of Love". My supplies - a clay pot, some floral foam, paper, popsicle sticks, a photograph and some valentine floral sticks. Also a valentine pencil, lollypops and a hershey kiss.

I'm not a scrapbooker, but creating flowers was pretty simple, even for me. The "Card" is just a few slips of paper stitched together and tied with string. On each page is written one thing I love about Shane. I would show you the book, but did I mention we were newlyweds when I made this? I think I will keep the contents of this little love book private :)

Weren't we cute? So young. 8 years later and as in love as ever. Every February I put out our little pot of love to remember the beginning days. Still, I think this year I'll just go to Hallmark.

Winner!

The winner of the addison ava giveaway is Sarah. Congrats! Email me and I will get you your prize.

Valentine Birthday Brunch

This weekend we had a Valentine Birthday Brunch for Lydia. Everything pink and brown, dainty and girly.

Front and back of the invite.

I am in love with these banners. They are from the famous emmie cakes. I figure I can use them for years. My friend Kristi made the paper chandelier. Someday she and I will go into the party planning business together. :) Hey, it could happen.

The Pin the Tail on the Donkey isn't quite as fancy.

"Kate, put the tail on the donkey".

"But I can't see!"

Brunch was simple but yummy.

Chocolate covered Milano cookies.

I was thinking of doing quiche, but then Shane had the brilliant idea of doing sausage "pigs in a blanket". Straight out of one of Lydia's "Fancy Nancy" books. She was so excited!

Chocolate and raspberry muffins. Lydia made them. (I helped a little.)

Why not make it an indoor picnic?

Instead of gifts, we asked for the girls to bring handmade Valentines to exchange.

Then we made a little craft.

Each girl got a crown and sparkly stickers to decorate. (Fun, easy and very little mess.)

So fancy.

Poor Collin. Banished to the living room.

Each mommy took home some chocolates as a little thank you gift. The girls each took home a felt necklace.

The hit of the party? The castle Lydia received from Santa this Christmas. They played for so long, we mommies got a nice long chat in. (Mostly labor horror stories. My favorite!)

Thanks for coming little ladies!

Hope your birthday was wonderful sweetheart.

Valentine Milanos

I was originally going to make decorated sugar cookies for Lydia's birthday party, but when time started getting short, I decided on chocolate covered milanos instead. They were delicious!

Melt a little white chocolate in the microwave. Usually I use a double broiler, but again, time was short.

I tried dipping the cookies, but the inside melted and blended with the white chocolate. Spooning the chocolate onto the cookie works better. Place on wax paper.

While the chocolate is still warm, add sprinkles.

Or add chocolate to a plastic baggie, snip the corner and drizzle across cookies.

A perfect little Valentine treat for someone you love.

The Best Part of my Saturday

Saturday is my morning to sleep in. When I wake up, I go downstairs to find some nice round pancakes waiting for me. Before I eat, however, I check the camera. There I will discover the pancake masterpieces that were created (and devoured) while I slept. Last week's photos brought me to near hysterics. I love that the Collin pancake is wearing the same outfit as the actual Collin. Awesome.

Winner!

The winner of the Caramel Diezel Giveaway is Kahla. Congrats! Email me and I will get you your prize.

DEAL ALERT! Caramel Diezel is offering free shipping on all orders until the end of the month. Just mention natalie's sentiments when you order.

sweet girl in yellow and gray

One week was not enough for celebrating yellow and grey. I think I'll make it two.

Besides, I still have that yellow and grey wedding on the brain.

Back up wedding day shoes for when the heals start to hurt.

Pleated Poppy flowers to wear at the bridal shower or for the flowergirl's dresses.

Everyone matches in the wedding party. Why not have the photographer match too? It's those little touches that make a wedding memorable. But you can't have this one. This one's mine. You can get yours here.

Wouldn't these handmade boxes be perfect to hold bridesmaids and groomsmen's gifts? They're from Favor Makers (one of those sites I will frequent constantly when all I do all day is plan parties and brunches.) Keychains or moneyclips for the guys. Paisley Lane earrings for the ladies. :)

A little honeymoon packing for...Paris?

The honeymoon suite with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

Okay, no yellow but lots of grey. Every honeymoon needs a bathtub like this. What am I saying, every married couple needs a bathtub like this. Instant date night :)

And lastly, thank you cards are the final little touch. I love when they are in sync with the theme of the wedding.

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