10 DAYS TIL VALENTINE'S DAY! YEE!

This is the post that is going to prove to me how close we are as friends. This is one big giant secret I am going to let you in on right now. Excited? Yeah, it's a big deal because you can't tell my boyfriend, Justin. (Prepare to be entirely let down... it's not that big.)

(JUSTIN, GET OFF MY BLOG RIGHT NOW! **PRESENT SPOILER AT THE END**) 

I love Valentine's Day. I loved Valentine's Day when I was happily single, I loved Valentine's Day when I was in that weird middle school relationship where you were 'dating' but God forbid you actually had to talk to each other (how awkward!), I loved Valentine's Day when I was in a real relationship where we do actually talk to each other (phew, not so awkward!), I loved Valentine's Day when I was bitterly and angrily single, and I loved Valentine's Day before I even really knew what a boy was (the only boys in my life were Daddy and Andrew, my big brother <33333333333). But seriously, I've always had a soft spot for Valentine's Day. 

Jackie and I put together these pom poms one night after dinner. 

They are so fun! And yes, I am laying on my kitchen floor taking these photos. It's all for the shot, people. 

I've come to the conclusion that it really has nothing to do with the fact that as a woman I am supposed to be showered with jewelry, flowers, and chocolates. I do love jewelry, but never really wear it. I do love flowers, but seriously, I want you to pick me wildflowers from a random field you were driving by that reminded you of my fresh, whimsy, and beautiful personality... not empty your savings account just to be able to afford some store bought roses. Am I the only one who thinks they are so pretentious? Bleh. And chocolate... well I should be receiving chocolate every day, for no reason at all. Not just because the aisle in CVS (yeah, the one that looks like cupid vomited all over it), reminded you that I need chocolate. What I'm really trying to say is, I like Valentine's Day for other reasons. Let me share. 

One, it's really pretty. Pink, red, magenta, blush pink, corals, and any shade of the sort is completely acceptable. And you know what else is completely acceptable? Decorating your apartment in those colors when otherwise that would make it look like a five year old's bedroom.

I found this incredibly beautiful chalkboard the other day and just HAD to lug it home.

After making the pom poms, I got to work on chalking up that bad boy. I think it came out really cute!

*Ahem* Take note of the bottom... the fine print is always the most important. 

 

Two, once I decorate my apartment in those colors, all fun and girly, it means my apartment will be so festive for my birthday! (Hint, hint.. my birthday is in 5 days!) I am totally the kind of person who would put up streamers and balloons for my own birthday, make myself a cake and sing to myself as I blew out my candles (no, I wouldn't really do that last part). But I for sure would do the rest. So since Valentine's Day makes everything already perfect and party-worthy, I don't have to feel like I am throwing myself a party! Perfect disguise...

Three. I LOVE paper. Cards. Letters. Wrapping paper. Tissue paper. Toliet paper. New York has fantastic paper stores. I spend a strangely large amount of time in them. "No, no you guys go ahead to the million clothing stores around the corner on Fifth Ave... there's a whole THREE other aisles of greeting cards I have yet to get to!" Yeah, that's me in a nutshell. Anyway, I am such a proponent of snail mail over email. Isn't there something about a handpicked, handwritten, saliva-sealed (maybe the only gross part about it) card showing up at your doorstep? I know it makes me giddy! So any holiday that gives me another excuse to mail shiny, glittery, red and pink cards to all of those I love, is a-okay in my book. 

 

This is my desk. Yepp, it has exploded. But it has exploded with happy paper and beautiful cards. I'll take it!

 

So the picture on the right is not my photo, I found it on Pinterest. However it is the inspiration for another decor project that is in the works right now. 

I can't wait to share it with you when it is complete!

And lastly, I get to craft. I craft all the time, true... but I get to craft with mushy love quotes and an ungodly amount of hearts. Guys, it's so fun! 

In honor of preparing myself for this glorious holiday, I wanted to share one of the projects I have been working on. I know there are a lot of Valentine's-haters out there, but maybe you'll see how fun it can be to brighten up someone's day with a little DIY love.

My aunt recruited me to create a special gift for her to give to my uncle on their anniversary. She sent me a fantastic idea she found on Pinterest and I was so pleased with how it came out. So for Valentine's Day I thought I'd recreate another version for Justin (Happy Valentine's Day, Justin. Here's your gift!). Sort of. I got him something else, so this is just part. I wrote out the lyrics to Christina Perri's A Thousand Years because I love the words. Then I put our picture in the middle and framed it in a manly wood frame to ease the gushiness of the song. I'm a thinker! Hope you enjoy! 

Talk to you soon!

-xoxo