Weekend Update

Holy cow... it is tuesday and I am just now settling in to recap my weekend. Time really does just fly right on by when you are having fun and this weekend was fun. Between spending time with family, getting a couple projects completed around the house and then cuddling with my favorite 3lb pup... I also was able to spend some quality time with my husband to celebrate valentine's. 

Valentine's day was everything I could have ever wanted... a lingering pancake breakfast with ryan at home, going to the grocery store to pick out ingredients for a nice dinner together and spending time at home. Ryan also surprised me with a bouquet of  roses which are still looking beautiful in our living room 4 days later. 

I hope everyone had a good weekend too; here is to a hopefully quick work-week ahead!

xoxo

Today's post is for my forever valentine, the man I am so proud to call my best friend and husband. The love I have for him is endless, selfless, without boundaries or limits, forever constant and stronger than anything I have every experienced in all my life. I cannot describe our love but it is strong and felt in ever decision I make, thought I have in my subconscious and conscious-self and makes me feel alive. 

I hope each of you are having a beautiful day filled with love in someway or form. Wishing love to you and yours today.  
xoxo

(via)

This Weekend You Could...

head to the fillmore auditorium and listen to the sweet sounds of devotchka of perform live.

see jane lynch perform a side-splitting performance of music and comedy at, see jane sing; the show promises to be broadway with a twist

grab your special someone and hit up one of denver’s many museums; an afternoon admiring art is the perfect way to spend a day appreciating each other and your surroundings.

ditch the typical over-crowded valentine’s restaurants and be a little adventurous with your loved one. Magic meadows yurt is offering a five course meal in crested butte, after a short nordic ski trip up to the yurt. 

Love Notes // Valentine's Day

There is no better way to confess your love for someone than through the written word. Valentine's day cards can be picked up at the grocery store for $2.99 by the plenty but taking a couple extra minutes to find a unique card that expresses your feelings is so much more thoughtful... and fun. 

I love sending (and receiving) cards in the mail which is why I scour the internet and boutique shops for the perfect cards to send out to my friends + family. I have done this for years as I want those closest to me to know... no matter if you have a significant other or not, you are important and loved by me. I found the perfect card for ryan this year too; I cannot wait to give it to him on saturday. 

Here are a few of my favorites this year...

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This Weekend You Could...

strip down to your skivvies and join hundreds of half-naked runners on saturday for the cupid undie run. This annual race benefits the children’s tumor foundation and might become your new valentine’s tradition.

hear the songs and soundtracks to your favorite tim burton films as composed by danny elfman at the boettcher concert hall. Edward scissorhands, the nightmare before christmas, beatlejuice and more were all composed by this legendary musician.

pre-order the sweetest valergrams in town from little man ice cream. Each delivered-to-your-doorstep valergram includes a pint of delicious ice cream, a red rose and a balloon for the sweetie in your life.

explore the first friday art walk in the rino neighborhood and stop into happy leaf kombucha’s taproom for a glass of the tasty bevereage. The taproom also features up-and-coming artists’ work each month, live music from colorado bands and snacks from local companies.

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Valentine's // Gifts for Him

I hope you all checked out my valentine's suggestions for the ladies, which I posted about here yesterday. Today is all about the men in our lives though. Whether you are looking to surprise your dad, a boyfriend, your husband or just a man that means something extra-special to you, I hope these suggestions help guide you to a wonderful valentine's day. 

(play comme des garçons® shirt  /  headphones  /  sneakers  /  socks  /  boxers  /  wireless speaker  /  money clip  /  personalized guitar pick  /  boxer briefs  /  silk tie  /  record player  /  chocolate bar)

To see my previous years' valentine's day posts, click here.

Valentine's // Gifts for Her

Valentine’s day is all about admiration, thoughtfulness, romance and love.  Conveying your love and appreciation for another can be achieved a million different ways but often times, around february 14th, it come in the a form of a gift. If you are looking for something special for a woman in your life, might I suggest one of these fabulous options; all available online and in store. I have always loved surprising my girlfriends with a little token along with a card, and of course, I cannot help but do the same for ryan. 

Come back here tomorrow to see my picks for the men… I found some amazing options that are sure to bring a smile to his face in just under 2 weeks. 

(red pumps  /  key chain  /  wallet  /  'love' paper weight  /  undies  /  pencils  /  heart tray  /  striped duffle  /  phone case  /  lipstick  /  canvas bag  /  nail lacquer  /  world hearts map)

To see my previous years' valentine's day posts, click here.

Weekend Update

Welcome back to my little piece of the blogosphere. Valentine's came and went but luckily it was filled to the brim with love. Hopefully you felt the same way. We grilled up some fillets + lobster tails, drank a great bottle of pinot noir and watched a few more episodes of breaking bad. The perfect valentines in if you ask me.

This weekend I also added a pink hair extension to my locks in support of a girlfriend battling breast cancer. My nieces were big fans of the pink which they had to touch, pull and point-out multiple times during dinner on saturday and at a fun lunch at denver biscuit company on sunday. Those girls seriously steal my heart.

Other highlights included lunch with gina at north on saturday, making martha stewart's three cheese macaroni recipe, trying out corvus coffee and a breezy but very nice walk around the park with rocco. This weekend was a quick one but looking back on all the photos, I cannot help but smile at all the love in my life.

A Lovely Day

Today’s post is dedicated to my husband. We have been together for nearly 13 years and while that sounds like a really long time, it sure has not felt that way. We were just kids when we met and to think that we have both grown into adults with perspective, experience, knowledge and a sense of self, I am proud that through all our years together, we grew up but not apart. I don’t know how or why people grow apart but I am grateful ryan and I have put in the effort/time/love to continue to grow and become better versions of ourselves, committed to each other. 

(via) 

My love, I am so proud of the relationship we have the life we are building. It's a lovely day, every morning I wake up by your side.

The Written Word // Love Edition

Hand-written cards are a favorite of mine, especially during this lovely time of year. Every february, I stop into my favorite card shop in denver and stock up on valentines to send out to loved ones. Then I spend an afternoon sipping hot tea and writing personal notes to all my girlfriends, family and of course my husband. I wish I had enough time to put together some of the ultra-cute d.i.y.'s that are all over pinterest but hopefully my gesture is as well-received as a dozen of hand-made paper roses. Below are some of my favorite cards out in the market right now. Oh love, you are definitely in the air!

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To see my favorite cards from last year, click here.

Valentines // Gifts for Him

Lets not forget the wonderful men out there that deserve some extra love this time of year. Regardless if it a dad, close friend, husband or boyfriend, a thoughtful gift is just the ticket to show how much you appreciate the great men in your life. True gestures of love cannot be touched or seen but the items below, with accents of red, some luxury and a bit of shine, might be a step in the right direction.

(clockwise from top left:  bracelet  /  cologne  /  button down  /  copper mug  /  flask + cigar case  /  backpack  /  bar glasses  /  socks  /  tie  /  headphones  /  boxer briefs  /  turn table  /  catch-all  /  watch)

Lovely Recipes

Nothing brings people together like a meal made from the heart. You can always taste when love is put into food which is one of the many reasons I like entertaining so very much. It is also a big factor in why I love spending holidays at home making a meal that I can put my heart into. So, regardless if you are cooking for your family, a special someone or a group of girlfriends this friday, all of these recipes will fill your diners with love in their hearts and delicious food in their bellies.  

(left to right:  three cheese macaroni  /  sauteed kale + cheesy grits  /  caesar salad  /  patato gratin  /  spaghetti cacio e pepe  /   croque monsieur + poached eggs  /  eggplant involtini  /  french beef stew + red wine)

Yum!

Valentines // Gifts for Her

Super girly, fuschia and heart-shaped item are everywhere this valentines. The designs are poppy and ultra-girly which was fun to peruse as I put together this year's gift guide. Why not rock a pop-of-color watch or bright lacquer this february to show everyone how smitten you are with all things valentines. And, if you don't have a special someone this year, no worries... the majority of the gifts on this list would be items I would gladly buy for myself and you should too.

(clockwise from top left:  wallet  /  lip gloss  /  socks  /  water bottles  /  watch  /  lacquers  /  tee  /  studs  /  necklace  /  ring  /  candles  /  sweater  /  sunnies)

I Kiss You

(via)

I am dedicating today's post to my valentine.  I met my husband when I was in 7th grade.  I liked him and didn't know how to show it, so, I did the logical thing for a 13-year-old and was mean to him.  It didn't work out.  That is until we were juniors in high school and we had science class together where he let me cheat off his homework.  I wrote in his year book to 'stay cool and call me this summ-a'.  He called, we went to the Olive Garden where I had the fettuccine alfredo and he had the tour of italy.  11 1/2 years later... I am married to the man of my dreams.  You never know where, when, how you will find love but when you do, you don't let go.  Thank you babe for the most honest, true and selfless love I could ever ask for.  

Love Notes

I am a huge sucker for card giving.  I love hand written notes and with Valentine's Day a day away, there are literally hundreds of cards to choose from.  While a stop into your local grocery store can do the trick, I have found so many more personal and endearing options on etsy, in anthropologie and local boutique shops around town. 

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As part of my yearly traditions, I picked up a couple sweet cards for my husband and then these cute cards below for my bestest girlfriends.  A few of them read my blog so I hope I did not ruin the Valentine's surprise I am sending their way.

A Touch of Red

A little pop of red this Valentine's Day could be just the ticket to have some fun with your outfit on February 14th with some subtlety.  I love the idea of a sleek narrow pant, paired with a flowy top, bright red lacquer on your nails and then a fun red shoe to finish off the look.  It is chic and simple yet sexy all at the same time.

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Quote of the Day

(via)

Hearts // Black and White Edition

Who says Valentine's day needs to be all pink and red?  This year you can mix it up with accents in black and white.  I am slightly obsessed with the heart-shaped umbrella... I can just see some cute pictures taken with it.  

(tee  /  bracelet  /  cut out  /  pillow  /  umbrella  /  bowl  /  socks)

black + white = lovely

Love Sparkles

I found these amazing images that could not fit more perfectly into my Valentine's Day series.  I just love how the photographers (professional and novices) have created some of the most beautiful images through aperture and exposure length.  

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Love sparkles... literally.

Valentine's // Gift Guide

Hooray... it's February 1st which means I finally get to launch my Valentine's Day inspired posts which I have been busily working on for weeks now.  

Today I have put together some great gift ideas for a sweet friend, a significant other, mother, sister or any special person in your life.  I hope these items inspire you to think of someone special this year.  I have my eyes on that delicate gold heart ring... I am a little obsessed with it!  

(socks  /  ring  /  love earrings  /  lolly pop maker  /  sweater  /  coffee cup  /  garland  /  lacquer  /  poster  /  cookie cutter  /  water bottle  /  stud earrings  /  candle)