I must admit I ♥ Valentines Day, but it also stresses me out.  I mean you have Halloween, and then Thanksgiving, with Christmas madness coming next.  Throw in remembering my Mother-in-Law’s December 26th b-day, my Sister-in-Law’s January 19th b-day, my oldest daughter’s January 30th b-day and then my youngest’s February 19th b-day…..oh, and I haven’t even touched the surface of bff’s with January and February b-days..and my sweet Godson.  You see?  It’s hard enough with the b-day’s and then a cute little holiday?  And so it goes – Valentine’s Day is for me the holiday of perpetual good intentions with lousy execution.

The worst thing about Valentine’s Day is the the exposure to so many of those Pajam-o-gram commercials.  They make me wince.  I mean that guy patting the bed wearing the silk red boxers with the do not disturb sign…really? Does the sign come with the o-gram?  Oh- just writing o-gram made me see this commercial differently and now I hate it more.  Ewwwww.

So, let’s play make believe for a moment.  Here are some things that I would put on my own list of lusts for this day of love:

Nest Interiors

These heart accessories for the kitchen, from Nest Interiors, simply make me happy: year round happy.  (And they are offering free chocolate and champagne Thursday, Friday and Saturday while you shop!)  How about using that tea strainer with some of the loose variety from Partner’s Tea Co. that I wrote about yesterday?

Heart Measuring Spoons, Heart Tea Strainer, Coffee Spoons and Quotable Measuring Spoons by Beehive (all hand-crafted; lead free pewter and copper) Prices range from $26-67

Tory Burch

Online, I am DROOLING over these two items from Tory Burch (if you spend $300 or more online through February 15th, enter BDAY and get 25% off!:

Wild thing, you make my heart sing. Can we just pretend those are my feet? $325 by Tory Burch.

Pyrite Heart Cuff, $295. I love this as hearts are usually "too sweet" for me. But this one is tough, original, and fun while the heart makes is just a teeny bit sweet.

Judith Bright

Judith Bright designs always makes my heart race.  Her ENTIRE site is 15% off right now with the code: HEART Since she lives in Nashville, you can tell your guy to order it with the message “Can I pick this up?”  and my bet is that the answer is “of course”!

$113 but just $84.75 with that HEART code!

Homemade with Love

Lastly, I have had so much fun with my kids making valentines this week:

Art & Invention Gallery

I’m feeling all craftsy – really – and I think I want to make some grown up Valentines all by myself, with no more glitter being added to my house, as it is now EVERYWHERE.  Realistically, I’m still recovering from the consignment sale.  But, you could go for me, make me one or send me some pictures (hint, hint).

Make Your Own Valentines!  Join us at Art & Invention Gallery to create a Valentine’s masterpiece for the one(s) you love.  Decorate a card or wooden heart, or invent your own Valentine’s sentiment from our table of goodies:

If you supply the time, we will supply the materials!

Cost: $ 6.00 per card, $7.00 – $10.00 per wooden heart

Walk-ins welcome:

1106 Woodland Street
Nashville 37206
Phone: 615-226-2070

Friday, February 12,  noon – 8pm
Saturday, February 13, noon – 6pm
Sunday, February 14, noon – 5pm

Reservations a must for groups of 5 or more!

**There’s lots more I’d like to add, and I’ll gladly take anything from my 2009 list: Click here to see that list.**

For some serious Valentine’s Day sales, see one of our favorite local blog fashion sites Stella Shops.

Elizabeth Weighs In:

Whew!  Liza, I’m exhausted after reading your list of “to-do’s” with so many to buy for during the early months of the year.  I have the same challenge, but mine occurs starting in September and ends in late October where EVERY member of my family, except moi, celebrates a birthday.  By the time my husband’s birthday rolls around on the 19th, we all suggest a nice pie — forget the candles.   Throw in an anniversary, some Halloween costumes, class parties and Thanksgiving.  By the time Christmas rolls around, I always feel like I am a day late and a dollar short.  And, I am.

But, let’s face it, holidays for Moms are complete hassles, eh, I mean blissful fun.  Yesterday, Liza said she was going to fore-go buying her kids’ valentines and let them make some at home (have you gone completely mad, Liza?) and I said, “Why the hurry?  Valentine’s Day is on Sunday this year!”  Wrong, all wrong – while that may be true I was suddenly reminded of school parties.  I had forgotten.  Moms are ramping up for Valentines Day right NOW…or yesterday.  I have three kids.  How had I forgotten?

Don’t get me wrong.  I love Valentines gifts – especially when I am the recipient of beautiful things.  Hopefully, if you like some of our ideas, they will find their way to your husbands or boyfriend’s email.  Next year, we may just add a Valentine’s gift registry so you are sure to get what you really want.

So, without further ado, here is my list:

Patricia Mathews

StyleBlueprint has not written about Patricia Mathews’ jewelry before, but I am a huge fan of her work.   Her line is sophisticated, lovely and reasonably priced.   A couple of years ago, I went to a home show she was having and found a ring which I did not buy.  It still haunts me as it was exquisite.  Here is one of my favorite pieces:

J.Crew

Liza loves those fabulous pink shoes, but I think if I wore them, people would whisper behind my back, “Cute shoes, but they are too young for her.” Here are my favorite shoes for Spring and they are from one of our favorite stores, JCrew:

$235 from J CREW. But, I just got this email and if you order online, and spend over $175, you can get 20% off with the code: SHHH - good through Saturday.

Fire Finch

I popped in Fire Finch in Hillsboro Village to pick up a new pair of readers (something I am not too young for!). Their supply of readers was low, but their supply of absolutely darling wallets and clutches was great.  What a great gift for Valentines!  Look at this pretty and pink wallet.   Also, their new shipment of readers is coming in next week.  At $20 a pair, they are the best in town.   By the way, I do NOT want readers for Valentines Day as they fall in the category of unromantic gifts, right up there with small appliances and grocery store roses.

Love this clutch from Fire Finch at about $100

Thomas Darnell

Finally, since everyone is bemoaning the economy and not spending too much cash these days, my last gift is expensive, really expensive.  But, I am absolutely, positively in love with Thomas Darnell’s roses.   The first time I saw his oil paintings at Caldwell Collection, I vowed that somehow, one day, I would own one of his fabulous works of art.

Darnell at work painting...you see why I want one, don't you? Fabulous.

Take your breath away. This is a painting by Thomas Darnell

Liza and I wish all you Valentine warriors and purveyors of Cupid’s dream, a heartfelt and wonderful Valentines Day.  Put your feet up and breathe a sigh of relief, “It’s over.”  Now, let’s get started on St. Patrick’s Day!

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