Photo Wednesday: Fresh Flowers

While traveling in Russia there were many things that were new and different, but there was something that really surprised me! The fresh flowers! Not only were they HUGE, and so inexpensive for us to buy, but they were everywhere. In the metro station, at the kiosks, and on the tables of those we lived with.

I was only 18 when I went to Russia for the summer, way back in 1993, but I made a promise to myself that when I was "grown up" and had my own home I would make sure that it always had fresh flowers in it.

In the summer we cut flowers from our garden, but in the winter when the garden is sleeping, we have to purchase our fresh flowers. Luckily beautiful flowers are available all year long.

What about your home? Do you enjoy having fresh flowers on your table?

"The Homies"

Apartment Therapy is once again hosting The Homies, an award for all things awesome in the world of home blogs. There are so many favorites up for nomination right now, so if you have a moment head on over to The Homies and check it out!

Some of our favorites? DIY Diva, The Art of Doing Stuff, and I Still Love You. Also, if you know of a great blog that should be on the list, there is time to nominate until March 2nd.

Update: HOLY MOLY!  I just found out that this blog is nominated in the DIY category! Wow! If you would like to cast a vote that would be awesome. We are so excited just to be there at all! Woohoo!

A super SWEET giveaway!

There is a really amazing giveaway happening right now thanks to Simply the Sweet Life Magazine. The giveaway is taking place on their Facebook page, and features some great prizes. They are giving away everything from cooking goods, clothing, jewelry, home security systems, and even a trip!

Entry is simple, just give a like and fill out the form. Even if you choose not to enter the giveaway, would you all do me a favor and "like" Simply the Sweet Life's Facebook page anyway? They are a lovely magazine and I think you will really enjoy the fun ideas they share. They are also a great local company that I am proud to spread the word for!

Hurry though, the giveaway ends on the 29th of this month! Enter here.

Simple Pleasures

February is a favorite month in our house. Not only is it Valentine's day, but we also celebrate our wedding anniversary. Simple pleasures are our favorite pleasures. Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate LOVE.

• Heart shaped pizza dinner.
• Heart shaped cinnamon rolls for breakfast (found on Pinch My Salt).
• Specialty flavored hot chocolates. So simple, just add your favorite Toranni syrup to your basic hot chocolate recipe.
• Themed movie nights (we have been on a Pirates of the Caribbean kick this month).
• Snuggling up in front of the fireplace, or in our case, the fireplace DVD.
• Bundling up to stargaze on the clear, cold nights.
• Playing favorite video games together.
• Creating new recipes together.

This year we had fun making Rice Krispie treats with Valentine's Day M&Ms. Such a fun addition to an old favorite, and they were tasty with the chocolate added in too! And for our upcoming anniversary I want to recreate this idea that I found on Pinterest:

Source: pinterest.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Isn't that just darling? What are your favorite simple pleasures?

The DIY Paradox

There is something that happens every so often to people who enjoy doing it yourself. Now and then there will be a project that needs to be done. The project can be large or small, and of course the project is something that you can totally do yourself!

But instead what happens is that the project gets forgotten about, pushed to the side, or otherwise doesn't get finished. It even could have been done a long time ago if you had just hired someone. But of course, why would you hire someone to do something you are so totally capable of doing yourself?

We have a few of these projects hanging around our house right now. I'm sure I am not the only one. Tell me friends, has this happened to you too?

Closet Dreaming

Our master bedroom closet has been on the project wish list for years now. We are lucky to have a walk in closet, however it is about as standard as they come. Just a simple shelf and rod, and not using the space to the full potential.

It has been livable though, but every so often an image of a magical closet like this one shows up in my Pinterest feed and gets the old wheels turning again! Of course our closet is not this large, but there is so much to love in the way they designed it!

Source: houzz.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Giveaway: Create a Memory with HP Faux Canvas

If you love making your own art, and personalizing your home just how you want it to be, then you are going to be excited about this giveaway! With Valentine's day just around the corner, what better time to create something to last for the years?

HP Faux Canvas is an easy way to create a unique and special gift that can be enjoyed all year long. You can choose a favorite photo from your own archives, or choose from the Art Gallery featuring a large portfolio of well-known imagery including paintings from Van Gogh and Monet, iconic National Geographic images and more.

What is even better is that you can create your HP Faux Canvas online or in store at a local Walmart and pick it up the same day – making it the perfect choice for a last-minute gift that looks like you spent weeks planning. Best of all, it’s extremely affordable!.

One lucky reader will get the chance to create your own HP Faux Canvas ($20 value)! Keep it for yourself or make something special for your Valentine! Here are the rules:

• Visit the HP Faux Canvas site, then leave a comment on this post letting us know why you would love to win! 
• Comment before midnight on February 9, 2012. You may comment daily.
• Please be sure to include a way to contact you if you win (email, blog link, etc).
• The winner will be chosen at random and contacted by email after the giveaway ends. They will then have 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
• This is open to those in the USA.

Thank you to HP for providing the prize and information for this giveaway! Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed, congrats to #16, Karen.

Food Friday: Valentine's Day Fun

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite ideas for making the day special. In our house we always bake a heart shaped pizza, and other fun heart shaped treats. So of course these heart shaped calzones caught my attention:

Source: blog.craftzine.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Chocolate covered strawberries are another favorite of ours, so when I saw this idea for strawberry brownie cupcakes I had to remember it! Don't they look amazing?

Source: iheart2stamp.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Heart shaped whoopie pies, to put you in the mood for making whoopie! ;) These are red velvet, but I bet they would be pretty amazing in vanilla too if you added a little red food coloring.

Source: polliblog.com via Aimee on Pinterest

What do you do for Valentine's day in your house? Do you have something that you always make? A tradition that you keep?