be mine ♥

Valentines Day is alive and well here in our house. No fancy dinners out for us though, no ma'm. Because nothing says love like chicken fajitas and chips n' salsa. That and a gymnastics class later tonight. Does anyone else find it hard to pick things out for their men? My guy loves books so I decided on a gushy Shakespeare's love sonnets book. I went through and underlined and highlighted all my favorites and made little notes next to some of them to make the gift more meaningful. To appeal to his fun side I also got him a Parks and Recreation comedy book- it's one of our favorite shows to watch. I topped the books  with a homemade valentine and bundled it all together and threw in some of his favorite chocolates on the side.

Lucy received a little heart shaped notebook for coloring and drawing in, a new Olivia board book, a teeny box of chocolates and one of those fun walking dog balloons from the grocery store. She's still pretty easy to please, that's why I love this age. She and I had the perfect morning of having a Valentine Tea Party in bed while we watched Monster's Inc.. These are my favorite moments that I'll always remember. 

I hope you had a fun and beautiful Valentines Day too! ♥  

linking up to:
Dear Lillie
http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-link-party.html

valentine banner

Lucy had been itching to get her paints out and I was longing for some Valentine decor so we came up with a plan for a little Valentine banner to hang in the sunroom. 

After everything was dry I glued on some hearts and strung it all up. Lucy looked so proud when she saw it. I'm so excited she's getting old enough to do little projects like this with me. 

Hope you have a fantastic Tuesday!

linking up to:
Dear Lillie

reflecting and a shutterfly giveaway

I was never the girl who loved Valentines Day mostly because I'm a total type A with moderate expectations and it's one of those holidays where I can't control much. Rewind to a year ago I was 9 months pregnant and due on February 11th. At my weekly check up the week of my due date I was given the option by my OB to do an induction because she was going to on vacation the the following week- that and I was beginning to take on water fast. 9 lbs in that last week alone to be exact. So in true type A fashion of course I chose the induction and sweet Lucy Elizabeth was born on February 11 right smack on time. There was also another reason behind my decision though. You see my dad shares his birthday with a little holiday called Christmas. Growing up he never made a secret of his dislike for this timing. And while I'm not some Valentine fanatic I still thought every girl deserves a birthday and Valentine's Day separately to make her feel special every year if she so chooses.

inky little happy feet. we were so in love with the surprise birthmark on her leg.

Lucy was born on a Thursday and we came home that Saturday. Sunday was Valentines Day and for the first time I felt a real LOVE for that darn holiday. I'm talking sappy, happy L-O-V-E as I rocked my little girl that I had been dreaming about for so long. I have the memory of eating chocolate out of a pretty heart shaped red lucite box and reading through tired blurry eyes the sweetest card from her daddy while holding her all the while thinking how lucky and blessed we were. How can I not have mad love for this holiday from then on?

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As for Shutterfly they are giving me 25 cards of my choosing on the house for sharing my sappy love story with you (which I would have put you through anyway closer to the big day) and I also get to give one of you 25 4x5 stationary cards cards too! Check out these links to their site to get great ideas and leave a comment here if you'd like a chance to win. I'll do a random drawing Friday. ♥ (ps I believe you can use them for any 4x5 stationary cards on the site not just VDay but don't hold me to it...)

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/valentines-day-cards-and-stationery

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts

http://www.shutterfly.com/valentines-day

my funny little valentine

Lucy Elizabeth made her grand entrance at 12:48 pm on Thursday February 11th, 2010. Weighing in at 6 lbs 8 oz and 20.5'' long. She is the sweetest little girl, I feel so blessed! xoxo

♥ my bags are packed ♥

I will be on a brief blogging hiatus for a few days. I'm headed in tonight to prepare for induction. Woo-hoo!!!

In the mean time you can look at a pretty vase full of my absolute favorite flowers...

and try this yummy recipe for fudge that can be found here. xoxo ♥

Happy Valentines Day!

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= A sweet little get-up! 

If I lived in a slightly warmer climate I'd be head to toe in my favorite J Crew ensemble of the moment today. I hope everyone has a chic, cozy, and Happy Valentines Day! I'm off to drag my husband through endless amounts of antique shoppes. 

Vintage Valetines

These are vintage valentines we have at work. They are so delicate and sweet. 

Office Valentines

Can you tell I'm on a little V-Day kick this week? I made these goodie bags for all my co-workers and a few of our wonderful volunteers. I found the cute little bags at Target, but instead of using the twist-ties to seal them I just folded over the top and used my sewing machine with a fun zig-zag twist after I had filled them with homemade sugar cookies. Next I took pink ribbon and looped it through the top of the bag, put on a little personalized tag and tied it off in a bow. I had fun hanging them on peoples doorknobs this morning.

Perfect Little Valentines Dress

I love, love the classic cut of this dress. Its by La Via available at Saks. It's perfect for any romantic Valentines celebration! I would pair it with a pair of candy red kitten heels. 

Martha, oh Martha

There is something way under-rated about receiving beautiful flowers wrapped in paper don't you think? If you want the specifics on this click here. Compliments of the one and only Ms. Martha Stewart.