I believe in romance, and Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year when I can go above and beyond in the name of LOVE! When romance is in the air, I simply get swept off my feet and can’t resist the opportunity to decorate my home to match the mood.
Start planning your Valentine’s Celebration! Whether you will be with your partner, your closest friends or just you and the kids, I have some lovely tips to start your chic Valentine’s Day this year.
Dress your mantle with a ribbon or fabric scrap garland, they are so simple and inexpensive to make, it’s these little details that add charm to any room, and can be left up and enjoyed through Spring and Summer. This ribbon theme can be carried to your tablescape, a single wide pink or red ribbon can act as a runner on a white table cloth, this will add a sweet touch that friends, family, and children will love.
Supplies for ribbon or fabric scrap garland:
*jute twine or heavy gauge cream or white thread
* Ribbon, lace, fabric scraps
*Scissors
Direction:
1. Gather all your ribbon, fabric and supplies.
2. Cut your fabric and ribbon into strips. They don’t need to be perfect. I cut my fabric strips 2 x 27 inches and my ribbon about 20 inches. You could cut yours longer or shorter, depending on how long you want your banner.
3. Cut the jute or string the length you would like and then lay it on the ground. Fold the strip in half and place the jute or string on top. Then pull your two ends through the loop and pull tight. This will form your knot.
4. Continue with step 3 until you have filled your banner. Do the same thing with ribbon and trims. My whole banner has about 35 strips.
Imagine surprising your sweetie with some apple cinnamon pancakes whipped up by two little chefs. Of course (with a little help) served on gingham tablecloths.
Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded tart apple
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon white sugar
In a large bowl, combine butter, eggs, milk and apple. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and sugar, Stir in flour mixture into apple mixture, just until combined.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.
Brown on both sides and serve hot. This is pure love on a plate ~
One recipe is never enough for my family. The pancakes are always moist and so yummmmy!
I used heart shaped pancake molds (purchased on Amazon) which makes one at a time, so if you plan on making these & I’m sure you will want to make a lot, I recommend buying several molds.
Since Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, why not host a Valentine’s Day Breakfast Party? Invite friends or neighbors over, open a bottle of bubbly, and let the fun begin! Or let the little ones enjoy the fun of the day helping bake yummy treats like the mini cinnamon buns. Make it easy and pick up at your favorite bakery (mine is Sweet frostings. Blissful Bakeshop). Adding a few pink and red cupcake liners, cute paper straws and mini milk bottles filled with milk, adds to this whimsical tablescape. It’s like hitting two hearts with one arrow. Enjoy playing hostess with the mostess and your friends and neighbors will love you!
Flowers and handwritten notes — setting your table with a simple centerpiece, red or pink roses or a vintage scale filled with red strawberries. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be sophisticated. Simple and stylish is the way to go. You can create your own decorative Valentine messages at home that coordinates with the tablescape, writing a Valentine note of “Love” on mini chalkboards are little touches that truly makes a party memorable.
Spin some Louis Armstrong on vinyl — mixed with a touch of Ella, Edith and Dean and, oh anyone whose voice makes your heart melt. Music will transport you to Paris, New York or Venice in the blink of an eye. Simply close your eyes put your arms around your sweetheart and dance. Set the mood dial of your party to romance.
Creating a fun Valentine Party at home for the ones you love is the perfect way to show how much you care as well as highlight your amazing taste in decorating and creatively planning.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gladys Hanning is an interior designer in Spokane, Washington. Owner of Junebug Furniture & Design and creator of The Mad Hatter Vintage Flea Market. Gladys and her husband, Steven and son, Michael live in Mead, WA. in a farming community. Gladys is a lover of things of beauty. Drawn to people, places and things that shine from within. When she’s not working, she enjoys cooking, decorating her home, collecting antiques, gardening, traveling and spending as much time as she can with her family and six grandchildren.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Pam Terpstra/Romancing Belle
