What to wear for Valentine's Day

Regardless of what your plans might be, go ahead and embrace the day and fancy yourself up with a little outfit or two.  I shopped my closet just to put a few ideas together.  I did buy one little cute sweater that I will share with you.  But mostly encouraging you to shop your closet , however,  if you really need to pick up a few things, I will share links on my actual items when I can. If I can't find my exact item to link, similar items will be linked at the bottom of the post.

First up, fun and casual

Maybe hard to tell from the picture but this is a pink top under a red sweater, some dark wash jeans and casual wedges. Pink actually looks really cute with red, especially this time of year

Here is a more basic look

Red cardigan, same jeans, navy loafer, red belt and white tee.

Then how about a little blazer action

Red blazer, black pants, ivory top, scarf and black mules

Maybe a look for the office

Red Blazer, black pants, floral top and black boots

I found this sweater at TJ Maxx for $19.99

Heart sweater, same jeans, same boots.

If you want to see all their heart themed sweaters click here or head to store near you.  I saw lots more in the store than is showing on the website.

Now for the items I couldn't find exact links to here are some similar items that you might like.

Pink Ribbed Top

Old Navy Cardigan

Navy Loafer

Red Skinny Belt

Ivory Top

Patterned Scarf

Black Bootie

Have a lovely weekend!

Weekend Review

Hope you had a great weekend! Part of ours was rainy, part was windy and sunny, but all of it was longer than usual and that is the part I choose to focus on.  Since Saturday was super rainy and definitely an indoor day, I chose to make myself a nice little Valentine setting and work on getting a few things ready for Valentine's Day

Those powdered donuts and strawberry cream cheese cookies are fuel for me as I work.  By the way, those cookies are from the Publix bakery and they are delicious. The rose candles are just great ambiance and brightened a pretty gloomy day.

I got all kinds of chocolates and gummy candy and valentine cakes.  Those little jars with the red heart lids came from the Target Dollar Spot and I am filling them with candy for a couple of college care packages.

The two-pack of mugs also came from the Target dollar spot and I thought they'd be perfect for one of my favorite couples.

Each college student is getting a jar of chocolates, some heart shaped cakes and a gift card to a restaurant.

Then I put together a little gift bag for some girlfriends.

So now I have my care packages ready to mail,

My cards addressed and ready

And a few gifts ready to share

I still have a few things to still pull together, but we are well on our way.

Sunday afternoon was beautiful but still cold, my younger daughter and I took a trip to the Huntsville Museum of Art.  They are currently featuring

It is a great collection of historic African-American photos taken by famed photographer Jack Mitchell.  We used the cell phone tour feature and got quite a tour of the exhibit through our air pods.  We spent time going through the other exhibits while we were there.  If you get a chance, definitely swing by and check it out.

And then Monday morning we started the day off with the best pancakes in town at Shaggy's

Their pancakes are huge and we always split a platter.



And then we were off to drop off part of our hearts back at college......with just a few of her things

A full, lovely, long weekend.  Hope you are having a great week.  See you back on Friday!

Valentine ideas.....

Whether you celebrate big or not at all,  today here are a few little lovely suggestions.....buy them for someone.....buy them for yourself or just forward this post to someone who may want to buy a few of these for you

How cute are these little capri blue candles

Capri Blue Mini Candles

Look at how cute the little tops are

The Pink Sugar candle lid reads - be mine.  The Mint Truffle candle has - XOXOs on the lid. For Keeps is on the Berry Sangria's candle lid. And the Whipped Vanilla candle lid reads - wink wink.  These are super cute and very affordable.

Speaking of affordable

Bath Bombs

How cute would these conversation heart bath bombs be to hand out to your Galentines?

And we should all just own this to wear on the big day

Kate Spade Heart Scarf

And you know I can't resist a good throw with cute hearts all over it

Mini heart throw

I bought these little plates just to add to the festive time of the year

Melamine Plates

If you are picking up any Bath and Body Works, here's a current coupon code

This last one requires you to move TODAY!!!! I am a big fan of the Colleen Rothschild skin care.  Check out this special product and deal for Valentine's Day

Cocoa Bean - Cleansing Balm

The description on the website says......Indulge the senses with the aroma and hydrating benefits of Cocoa Butter and Hazelnut Oil, while delivering a dose of antioxidant protection to help guard against free-radicals. Natural Vanilla Beans gently exfoliate dull, congested pores. Skin is left soft and nourished, ready for the next step of your skincare ritual.

Plus there are a couple of gifts that come with your purchase

The face oil initially sounded weird to me, but since I gave it a try I have become obsessed with it.

I hope you have a great weekend. I will see you back here on Monday!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well I am honored to be able to wish each of you an absolutely wonderful Valentine's Day!!!!  I hope it is a day where you not only feel loved and appreciated, but also have the opportunity to help someone else feel that way too.  Of course, that is one of my favorite parts of the day......sharing a few fun surprises here and there will be so much fun.

If you are looking for a few fun things to treat yourself or family with today.....

Papa Murphy's will be offering their heart shaped pizzas starting at $8 each.

And if you are not into baking your own pizza at home Papa John's is also making and offering heart shaped pies


And Pizza Hut will not be outdone.....


You have a lot of heart shaped pizza choices. Apparently pizza is the love language of lots of people.

Speaking of Pizza......that brings me to my Lent goal for this year.  Yes, as I mentioned on Monday this year Lent begins on Valentine's Day.  I always try to give something up and add something during Lent.

This year this is what I am adding

Yep, that is me at the gym.  I know.  Who am I?  I have to tell you I do not like exercising and probably the only thing I don't like more is going to the gym to exercise.  

Anyway, I hear people say "oh I have so much more energy"

Nope. Not me.

"I sleep so much better"

Uh, no not feeling that at all.

"I have a better day when I exercise"

Really?.....that's just weird.

It is just not my thing.  The only thing I like about it is the clothing.  I do like a cute pair of high waisted leggings and a fun top.  Now that I do like.

Regardless, I am trying to add some routine exercise in through Lent.  Wish me luck.  I am going to need it.

Now for what I am going to give up......hmmmm.....well this year I think I am going to give up French Fries......there I said it.  I am well aware that I am a grown woman who still eats enough french fries that they can actually be something I give up.  I am not ashamed.  It is who I am.  But I struggled with what to give up and last night I had McDonald's fries.  They were warm and perfectly salted.  I enjoyed them way too much......yes, it is a good item for me to give up.

Exercising AND giving up french fries......I may actually lose a pound.

So first have a great day and then think about how you might challenge yourself this season of Lent to make the great you even better.

Here is hoping you are living in the greatest love of all....

 "We love because He first loved us." ~ 1 John 4:19

Talk to you on Friday!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner

It's almost Valentines Day.  If you have small kids, are a teacher or in any capacity responsible for helping small kids celebrate the big day you are acutely aware because you have probably been on Pinterest, thinking you should check Pinterest or cursing its very existence for the elaborate ideas in making things for a gaggle of children.  If that is you - best of luck, my dear friend.  Those of us who are past that stage are secretly chest bumping and high fiving each other.  But don't worry you will look back on these days and cherish them.

But how about even those of us who are past the kiddie stage get back into the fun?  This year go ahead and send at least one card.  If you are feeling particular sporty go ahead and send 3 or 5 or 10....whatever you have in you.  Seriously, are there girlfriends who hang with you no matter what, an aunt or uncle who has always been special to you, or someone who could just use a little lift?  Send a little love to someone...... they will LOVE it and I think you might get a kick out of it too.💖💖💖

If you are already in the mode of sending cards and sentiments, maybe there is one person you could add to this year's list and help them feel special.

This year I ordered these bags from Amazon.  I am putting a simple heart sticker that I found at Target on the bag, buying cookies from a local bakery and passing them out to some co-workers.  Honestly, who doesn't love a little surprise sweet treat?  Of course, Target's dollar section is pretty in pink these days with all kinds of fun Valentine stuff.

See you on the card aisle!