I cant get enough of these simple heart puzzle blocks!  Easy to make & perfect as that lil extra something decor wise or a fun gift all their own!  To make these glittery heart felt blocks, click HERE

A sweet touch to any private Valentine’s Day Table for Two is strung Carnations on fishing line.  Use them as a backdrop or a curtain, ombre them in soft pinks or daring reds!

Got a spare mason jar laying around?  Toss on some heart stickers & paint that little baby!  After you remove the heart stickers your left with a true heart felt impression.  Use it to simply hold something lovely or drop a tea light in to set the mood!  To see instructions, click HERE

Now that we are starting to work up an appetite, I thought it would be a good time to mention my new dream dessert.  She’s lovely, a bit dark, & definitely mysterious, making her the best new Valentine’s Day Yummy Treat!  To sample this divine Black Forest Pavlova with Espresso Cream, click HERE 

Maybe some of these ideas are too bold for your test and passing a note between classes is more your style. Look no further then folding said note with neon winged messenger origami flair!  For folding instructions, click HERE

Got some to tie a heart on a string?  This sweet and simple paint swatch heart garland is the perfect thing to dress up any area that you’ve deemed the love tunnel!  For stringing instructions, click HERE

Ok boys, we have somehow managed to capture your attention, you know, last minute Vday and all, ok I kid, I kid!  But in all seriousness, the next 2 are seriously sweet Valentine’s Day gifts that will draw some mega coos out of your love, like this amazing hand made string heart.  Yes, from your hand, its Valentine’s Day, gotta step up your game!  For instructions, click HERE

Not so great with a hammer & string but still want to make something by hand for your love, why not try a paper form heart with a sultry message?!

Ok ok, we get it!  Its last minute oooooor your not a big make things with your hand kinda person, no worries, we dont judge, we just bring, AWESOME!  Awesome like this amazing ‘Over The Moon’ Balloon by BHLDN.  She’ll cost ya  pretty penny, but you’ll thank us later, we promise!  To purchase, click HERE

Phew!  Well I dont know about you guys, but after all of this, I need a cocktail!  Really dazzle your love with a signature cocktail, something like this red fire Chandon Hibiscus Royale!  The simple touch of the Hibiscus flower is simply BEYOND!  You are sure to get some extra love just from this frosty beverage alone!  To become a mixologist, click HERE

I simply can not believe that the hubs and I have been married for a year, today!  Thats right, today is our very first anniversary.  I used to think time flew, but damn, its almost as if the moment  you get married, time flies twice as fast!  I am a bit gobsmacked to think that right about now, a year ago, I was fussing with my hair, finishing up  my make-up, prepping to dive into my dress, starting our day.

I’ll be perfectly honest with you, and anyone telling you differently is withholding some variation of the truth, while the year indeed did fly,  it has not been without its rough spots.  The hubs & I are both Aries, having similar strong outgoing, always right, stubborn type personalities and as such, well, let’s just say we are priiiiittty good at arguing, lol.  As scary though as that might seem, it is a part of it, the ebb & flow of relationships.  What doesnt break us {nothing is going to do that!} defiantly makes us stronger.  I have grown so much simply because he is a part of my life and helps me to become a better person.  I have considerably calmed down {possibly to the detriment to my dodgeball team, lol} become a much more patient person who is far more apt to take that extra second now and try to see things from another point of view, handling them differently, versus purely reacting.  I knew from  the day I met him, in 2002, that there was always something I can only describe as vibrating.  My entire being knew whom I was near, it simply took both of us living our lives out a bit separately before it was truly our time.  Now it is and I could not be more happy that it is him that I get to spend my life with, I could not be more lucky to have him love me for life, and I him.  I love you Truly. {Hubs name, not saying I love you truly, hehe}

*Top Photograph by Holly Adams, Bottom Photograph by Sarah DiCicco

*PS- I know I know, I have not had my actually wedding images, anywhere….  There are reasons for that, and its not that I dont want to share, as Truly puts it, I am a freaking OVER sharer!  All in due time, and soon I should think.  I’ll leave it at that!

Engagement photographs in Paris….OK!  Our lovely couple, Letizia & Tim, ventured to Paris to create this gorgeous session under the careful direction of Melvin Gilbert Photography.  Paris serves as the stunning backdrop that it always is, between the culture, the architecture, grand views from just about every angle, all of which exude romance at every turn.  Play along with Letizia & Tim as they celebrate their engagement!

*All Photographs by Melvin Gilbert Photography

I didn’t write the intro to this incredible engagement session last night, as my brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders, leaving me with a less then worthy intro piece.  However, its morning now, coffee firmly in hand, I am more then ready to let you know exactly WHY this engagement session is different from the rest.  Sure, we have an absolutely lovely & adorable couple, Jenna Orr & Brian Wainer, which never  hurts of course!  They had an idea, a game plan, & low and behold, coupled with their photographer,  Studio Moirae Photography, they executed…brilliantly!

There are a lot of factors that actually go into making a shoot become as dynamic as it can be.  Concept must be cohesive, clothing, hair & make-up, as well as location must match and enhance said concept, but at the end of the day, there are 2 variables that weigh in heavy to such a positive outcome.  An awesome couple, who is willing to play the part, be willing to possibly look silly to get that shoot, who are up for whatever it takes.  The other factor, and THIS my friends is a biggie, the creme de la creme of importance, is photographic style.  If you have all of the above, but not the photography to back it up, it is all for not my friends.

There are photographic things at play in this shoot that I see that the average couple does not.  The average couple simply sees a photograph they like, turn to their photographer & say, make it happen!  Unfortunately, not all photographers come with the same skill sets, some are not as forth coming about being able to actually deliver to you that very photo effect that you crave, in the end, your disappointed and that is simply no good.

So what about our shoot below?  For starters, the use of natural light is superb, sun drenched in all the right places. What the average person wont notice, however, is a fair amount of these photographs actually have additional light sources on our couple, making them pop in that way that so many people love.  The sky seems a tad abnormal, the light on our couple perfectly glowing, yet….isn’t it day time!?  This was a technique I was obsessed with in school and you would be beyond surprised the amount of photographs AND films you have seen,  not realizing what was happening!  The very first & last photographs are wonderful examples of this with a few sprinkled in between.   Overall, coupled with the various techniques, the composition as well is spot on.  All these factors at play create for a covet worthy set of engagement photos!  Kudos guys, count me as a fan!!

All Photographs by Studio Moirae Photography

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!  You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am so very thankful that you love me as you do.  Marrying you is the single best decision that I have ever made and I can not even a fathom what my world was before you were in it.  Thank you for being who you are, loving & caring for me as you do.  My life with you is best life anyone could hope to live & I love that you are my bestest friend forever.  I love you with every fiber of my being!   Many many Happy Birthdays to come my love!