BACKYARD HAVEN: Trend of the Moment, Pavers!

As the winter is very slowly coming to its end, we are all desperately seeking the outdoors to become a little more green again. And I can't wait to start running outside, admiring the new blooms of Spring. This year, I'm especially loving the new paver trend in outdoor living! It's such a modern look. I especially love when the pavers are divided by moss or small stones in between for a textural treat. Please enjoy the following photos and remember not to fret, Spring is right around the corner!

Style is Served: Love is in the Air

Whether you are spending V-Day with that special someone, girlfriends, or even the whole family make it festive and fun this year! Now let’s not get carried away by throwing around heart shaped confetti and taping paper hearts to our front doors. Keep the kid stuff for the bulletin board. Here are a few tips and inspiration photos keep it stylish.

      1. Having a party? Set up a “sweet station” with V-Day Colors. Try putting candies in fun dishes or use cake stands or apothecary jars of varying heights.

2.   The best way to use candy hearts!

3.   “LOVE” Pillow www.needlepointpillows.com $300

Setting the Table

When it comes to holiday decorating the more you edit the better. Keep it understated! Like these gorgeous settings, use different flowers in the same colors or switch it up by using several smaller atypical bud vases. Add your classic white votives to the table for your classic romantic touch, the more the better.

Have any streamers leftover from the kid’s birthday parties?
Take a tip from Martha and use them as table runners or wrap them around hurricanes. 

Don't think that because it's V-Day you have to stick to the Pink and Red theme. Go for a setting inspired by Eddie Ross. Take Pink as a starting point and the add accents of blue or orange like he did. Personally turquoise and magenta are a favorite color combo of mine.

V-Day Goodies

Breakfast in Bed? Or Dessert for Breakfast?

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Heart Shaped Pancakes

Hot Chocolate with heart shaped Marshmallows

The Cutest DIY Gifts for Friends

1. Heart Cookie Cutters with Candies – Martha Stewart

2. Jewelry Box with Gem Candies – Martha Stewart

3. Knitted Catnip hearts – Martha Stewart

4. Cost Cutting Elegant Paper Roses - Lookiloos

5. Candy Heart Soaps – Martha Stewart

Valentine Cocktails

Blushing Geisha


1.    1.   Pour 2 oz. TY KU liqueur, 1 oz. pomegranate juice, 2 oz. Sence rose nectar into a mixing glass filled with ice.


2.   Stir well

3.   Strain into a stemmed glass or over ice in an old-

fashioned glass.


4.   Garnish with a lime wedge.

Raspberry Truffle


1. Pour 1 oz. Blue Ice American Vodka, 3/4 oz. Kahlua coffee liqueur, and 3/4 oz. Chambord raspberry liqueur into a cocktail shaker with ice.


2. Shake well.


3. Strain into a chilled, 8 ounce cocktail glass or tall wine glass.

4. Top with a pile of fresh whipped cream.

Bubbly Blood Orange Campari Cocktail

Ingredients:

2-3 large blood oranges, juiced, about 1/3 cup juice

1 oz campari

Chilled sparkling wine – choose from prosecco, champagne, cava, brut, etc

Optional garnish – blood orange peel or blood orange slice

Preparation:

1. Pour 1 ½ oz of blood orange juice in each champagne flute.

2. Add ½ oz of campari.

3. Top off each drink with sparkling wine, garnish with a slice of blood orange and enjoy! 

Do you have any exciting plans, projects or ideas for Valentine's Day?

TEN: Pink Inspirations

So, Valentine's Day is just around the corner and while Nicole will be out to dinner with her sexy man stud, I have decided to treat myself to a new ring. This post made me realize how beautiful this color is (in every shade), and I'll use any excuse to add to my collection. I love pink, from peonies to mens shirts, a flash of pink instantly puts me a good mood.