Message in a Bottle

Remember when I was all like, "I don't like anything romantic for Valentine's Day! I only want things that are funny and witty, and maybe even borderline offensive!"? Well, scratch that. If M were to give me a card I would not only die of shock, but would prefer cheeky to mushy.

However, if he's reading this (he isn't--he doesn't follow le blog) and he DID want to splash out on the romance I think these Message in a Bottles (from Miniature Rhino) would be the perfect way to do it.

Why, you ask? Well...

1. I love getting real mail.

2. They're not your typical cheesetastic Hallmark cards.

3. The message can be totally personalized.

4. Really, they're just adorable.

Aaaand they would work for any occasion.

Your personal message gets hand-transferred by typewriter onto vintage book paper then sealed with red wax and put into the glass vial you see above. Your glass bottle gets decorated with a tiny, monogram-stamped key tied on with twine.

I'd love to unwrap this on Valentine's Day--or any day!

And if the message inside was funny, cheeky and/or witty all the better.

So what do you think?

Message in a Bottle - yay or nay?

Dating, married or single I hope

you have a wonderful day today!

Some great Valentine's Day Quotes

via last year's post xoxo



Valentine's Day 2011 Gift Guide: For Her, By Colour

What are you hoping to get from

 your honey for Valentine's Day?

My 2010 Valentine's Picks for Her: Under $75

Valentine's Day 2011 Gift Guide: For Him

You can also check out my

2010 Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Him

Do you know what you're getting your

 significant other for Valentine's Day?

Funny & Cheeky Valentine's Day Cards

{I Effin Love You Card by Crab Apple Design}

So, here's the deal.

I like Valentine's Day.

Gifts, chocolates, wine.

What's not to like?

{All That and a Bag of Chips Card by Creativity Cards}

That said, M and I are not really mushy romantics.

And M is definitely a man of, shall we say, FEW words.

We're not the type to give each other heartfelt cards..

A funny/witty/cheeky card on the other hand?

I am ALL over that.

...kinda like how butter loves toast...

{Fuzzy Grapefruit}

Some other funny cards that are right up my alley:

{Uncooked}

I think this card appeals to me because of the dog

rocking out on the tambourine--in a tutu.

{You Rock My World Card by Betty Bits}

For taking that new relationship to the next level...

{A Confession Card by Navy Blue Notes}



{Uncooked}



Which, let me tell you, is a hell of a lot.

{Lovely Little Nest}

If your relationship is of the Ronnie and Sammi variety

this Love is a Battlefield card would do nicely.

{Apocalyptic Valentine's Day Card by Surly Ben}

{Uncooked}

I like the ostriches.

{You're Really Good at Kissing Card by Shira Leuchter}

I don't think this is strictly true in my case...

{Crazy Love II Card by Up Up Creative}

{Uncooked}

{Yo Girl Tiger Card by Wild Little Goose}

For the single gals -- they should get Valentine's Day love too!

{Creativity Cards}

I think this (or the first) may be the winner for me...

{Uncooked}

So tell me, what do you prefer?

Funny or romantic?

Happy Monday!

Happy New Year!



On this first day of a brand new year I'd like to take the opportunity to wish all of you a 2011 filled with the good things in life including health, happiness and prosperity. Thank you so much for reading this blog and being my friends. Blogging this year has opened up so many opportunities for me and has started me on the path to realizing dreams that at one time I couldn't even vocalize. That's huge. So again, thank you.

Last night was a pretty chill event that included good food, great fun and even better friends. We laughed, we ate, we watched the sun rise. What a wonderful way to welcome in the new year. What did you do?

This year I would like to continue trying to live based on the quote that inspired me at the beginning of 2010, but I also plan on

Being braver and worrying less...

...cultivating kindness and helping others when I can...

...stop the procrastinating and not just reaching for dreams, but achieving them...

...and, finally, in 2011 I want to choose happiness. Consciously. Actively. Always.

Happy New Year! xo

A Yummy Appetizer: Brie with Fig Jam

New Year's typically means more gatherings and, yes, more food. One of my fave go-to appetizers is brie cheese with fig jam, crisps and walnuts. Not only is it delicious but totally easy to make, too.

There are tons of ways to make brie including different spreads, crackers and bread that people use. Others bake the brie in puff pastry, which makes for a nice presentation but a different taste, I find.

I love Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps in the Rosemary Raisin Pecan flavour. The mix really goes great with the Brie, much better than regular crackers or plain bread (in my opinion!) I can't remember the exact name of the fig jam I use but for those who are local it has an orange top and is available at Longo's (usually in the cheese section or with the other jams).

To make the appetizer I just cut the wheel of brie in half and coat liberally with jam. Then I bake it at about 325 for 5 to 8 minutes in the oven or just put it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. When the insides are melted and oozing slightly I remove the brie and top it with more jam and crushed walnuts. I serve on a dish with fun spreaders and surrounded by the crisps. The brie is great with wine too and has always been a hit when served. What's your go-to appetizer?

Wishing all of you a very safe and happy
New Year's Eve! xoxo

Images: 1 / 2 / 3

Merry Christmas!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ~ St. Luke ii. 10-12

Photo by ChelseaVictoria

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas." ~ W. C. Jones

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

xoxo

Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Christmas Eve

"Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever."  ~ Bess Streeter Aldrich

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve and a very Merry Christmas. For those that are interested I've compiled a few holiday related links to peruse: 
 

My Top Five Christmas Movies  

What are yours?

 

Holiday Getaway Essentials

 

Holiday Sparkle

Turkey: House of the Virgin Mary

A religious pilgrimage in Turkey

Holiday Inspiration: Displaying Christmas Cards

Do you have any special Christmas Eve traditions?

 

"Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind." ~ Helen Steiner Rice

Some Christmas Gift Suggestions

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

~ Oren Arnold

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: For the Kids

Kids are usually pretty good at letting you know exactly what they'd like to see under the Christmas tree, but if you're looking for some ideas not found at Toys 'R Us for the munchkins in your life here are some other options...

Cocobohème Chalkboard Wall Stickers, $28

Dwell Studio Baby Bib Set, $32

Modernist Doll House, $329

Doll House Furniture, $200 (32 pieces)

Gap Double Breasted Coat, $76.99 

Hooded Towels, $36

Kidsink Disco Bubble Skirt, $56

A Fine Art Print from Eastwitching of a Lucky Ladybug, $19

Kidsink Distressed Stretch Jeggings, $36

 Roz Streeten Rosie Flo's Coloring Book, $8.99

David and Goliath Onesie, $21

Mongolian Fur Vest, $52

Gap Skull Slippers, $12