Approaching Love Day Already?

It seems that the moment I walked into stores after Christmas I was bombarded with Valentine's day shenanigans. In all honesty, I have a love/hate relationship with this day. I love it for the fact that it's  dedicated to expressing your love to those who mean the most in your life but also find it silly because of all the chocolates, teddy bears and nonsense that people feel they "need" to purchase in order to show that love.
Go ahead and nix the purchasing of all the typical Valentines hoopla and do something that's meaningful together, creating a memory. Here are a couple ideas that I came up with that I think both men and women would appreciate more than box of chocolates.

For you creative ones:
1. Gather some of his/her favorite things. Think: candy, gift card (Starbucks, Frozen Yogurt) reservations to your favorite dinner place, etc. A framed picture of the two of you, and maybe something fun you can do together such as a concert, tickets to a sporting event, cooking class, etc.

2. For those who love cooking together. Put together a basket of all the ingredients for your favorite recipe. Spend that evening in without the crowds creating a yummy dinner with vino and perhaps a movie to watch.



 

3. Purchase a frame, fabric, glue, a dry erase market, and permanent sharpie. Simply glue the fabric to the inside of the frame and using the permanent sharpie write on the outside:" I love you because..." and with a dry erase marker your able to write messages everyday:) 



 

4. Purchase your initials at any craft store. I know Joann Fabrics has them in many different sizes and are very affordable. For this project, you'll need pictures, glue, and Mod Podge. Click Here for a more detailed instructions on how to accomplish this gift.

 

 

For those who aren't as creative:

5.  I know, I know !! Were in a major drought but this heart shaped  umbrella is adorable and I'm sure will be needed in the future. Plus it makes an adorable prop for pictures together (if you care about that sort of things, haha). Find it here. Only $27 plus free shipping!

Tom Joules Wellies (rain boots) are my favorite rain boots. They are comfortable, cute and unlike the million hunter boots you see around are unique. They are made in the UK but ship internationally. You can find them here.

Fashionable jewelry from Baublebar.

 

 I also LOVE the love letter necklace. Found here.

 

 

 6. Personalized wallet with a cute (cheesy) saying like, "No amount of money could be traded for the lifetime I have planned with you."

This wallet is definitely for the minimalist but is nice because it's slim. You can find this wallet on Etsy by clicking here.

This wallet is perfect for guys who like the money clip,on the side. You can find this by clicking here .

Hope you have a fun Valentine's Day full of wonderful memories and remember it's not about the 'things' but rather the time you spend with your loved one(s).

 

"I know of only one duty, and that is to love."- Albert Camus







Bathing Suit Beauty

As I sit here daydreaming about a tropical vacation, I'm reminded that this would include me to wear a bathing suit at the beach...and I need a new one! Let's be honest, even when we purchase a bathing suit every summer, we are always wanting something new and fresh. A bathing suit it is really a memory of each vacation or summer that when worn can bring us back to that moment usually full of  Coconut Water, laying out, warm weather and the ocean. I found that my favorite style for this summer's bathing suit is the wrap top bathing suit. It's different, flattering and even in basic colors makes it look fashionable. Take a look at some of my favorites. What is your favorite style or brand of bathing suits?

Most of the bathing suits are from Vitamin A Swimwear which is one of my very favorite swimsuit lines!

X Marks the Spot

I love interior design, especially introducing classics like black and white with a modern geometric shape. Lately, I've been spotting the Swiss cross design featured below and have fallen in love with the look. Whether it's painted on walls, pillows, blankets, purses, rugs, etc. This look can be achieved with black or white electrical tape to create the cross symbol, or a stencil made using heavy cardboard. It's a chic look that is simple yet adds a modern dramatic touch and will cost a fraction of the price of what you'll see being featured in many of the magazines.

Pretty in Pattern

When looking at 2014 Spring/Summer fashion lines, I noticed one of the main trends appearing was graphic and patterned print trousers. While the graphic print trousers I personally own seem a bit uncomfortable to wear because they are sure to draw attention,  I must admit that I always seem to get some kind of compliment on them. They definitely stand out because they are different and even if the compliment are something like, "oh wow, those pants are...interesting," at least there a fashion piece that catches attention, both good or bad.