So you need a Valentines Idea...by tomorrow!

OK, here is what I can offer you if you are up to it.  All you need for tomorrow is a special invitation for your hubby...and the date can be Next weekend.  See, I have just given you one more week to plan.  The invititation could be for one of the following things (all of them could be with the 2 of you or with another couple or two to share the fun):

1.  Did you see Modern Family this week?  Yes, you can invite him to meet you in a hotel lobby next week (with or without the role playing) Then, go out to eat, eat there...whatever you want.  

2.  Bachelor style.  What is the one thing they do on the bachelor for dates?  Did I hear HELICOPTER?  Give him an invitation (bachelor style wording)  to soar above the town with you next week.  I looked into rides here and they range from 35-100 dollars per person...so do the 35 and then eat at home!

3.  My new favorite, but would be super fun with another couple, give him an invitation to a special live dinner.   Then decorate one of your homes or dining rooms, and next week have all the sides put together except for the main dish...LOBSTER.  Pull out the live lobsters and all figure out how to make them!  There are so many sources for figuring it out...I think this would be so fun!

4.  An invitation to your favorite country themed night...next week, go all french with fondue and a french movie, italian, mexican, japanese and watch memoirs of a geisha...anything.

5.  Romantic picnic

It doesnt matter what you decide...just get out of your comfort zone a little and tomorrow, surprise him with the invitation.  Then work on the planning!

Have fun! 

A Special Delivery

Well, I was trying to come up with Valentines Ideas...and though it isnt super original, here is what I did.
I went to Victoria Secret and got a gift card, and the biggest box they had and the biggest bag they had. Then I put 2 dozen cupcakes in the bag, and the gift card and the boxers in the box and had them delivered to his office.
I thought it would be funny to put balloons with it too, to really make a scene...but I think the huge box and bag drew enough attention!


I am a little bit proud of my cupcakes because I went to our cupcake bakery and looked at them, and since they couldnt have them ready the next day...I had to make them. I used the Duncan Hines red velvet box and then made the cream cheese frosting using the sprinkles recipe: (1 stick butter, 1 cube cream cheese, 3.75 cups powder sugar, a little vanilla) Anyway I think they turned out well and I saved 50 dollars!

Spouse Anniversary ideas...I need one!

Ok, what do you buy, make or do for your husband for your 5th year anniversary if he:

-doesnt like clothes

-doesnt want anything that could ever be considered a "family item"

-doesnt really appreciate "thoughtful" gifts

-has every tool ever made

-is really busy with school and doesnt have time to do too many sports, but the ones that he does...(golf, tennis) he is fully equipped

-has very limited time to travel...actually none for the next couple years!

?

I thought I was pretty good at this stuff...but I am STUMPED. Dont google "spouse anniversary presents," because the answer isn't there!

any ideas?

Dare to Paint it: Part 2

Ok, a couple years ago...I decided to pick up a paint brush for the first time in my life and paint a picture for Rob. (the first one is mine) It was really fun, and if you can stand homemade art I think it makes a really great gift. Choose something that they like (fish is the easiest...but Im sure other things are paintable), go to michaels and buy a cheap set of oil paints and a canvas, then I would google image what you want to paint to give you an idea how! I just did it little by little in my spare time. Rob liked it so much, he wanted to make a companion painting! So here is our little set.
If you start thinking about it now...it would be ready for father's day...

One more Valentines Idea: Luxury Scavenger Hunt

Maybe you should send your spouses to this site to read this!

In highschool, one of my favorite ways to ask to nice dances was this scavenger hunt. It is even more fun and romantic to plan for your spouse.

First, he gets an invitation to his favorite restaurant to meet there at a certain time. Upon giving the lady his name, they give him his favorite appetizer all boxed up with the next invitation...that sends him to a clothing store. Again, after telling someone there his name, they give him a wrapped box of something special with the next invitation inside. He may then go to a chocolate store, or victoria secret, or the choice is yours, he could end up at dinner with you, or home to a nice dinner or night of relaxation)

When I did it, I sent them to La Caille for a drink, Nordstrom for a tie, Tuscany for a gift basket and dessert. Now make it personal for your husband. Or be the best friend a girl could have and tell your friend's husband to do it for her!!! (She'll return the favor one day...im sure!)

Valentines Idea: Plan your own date...or weekend

This was one of our best Valentines! I had no idea what to do for him, so I let him choose. For a couple days before valentines, I hid notes for him. Each note had cute things on the top about how much I love him, and on the bottom it was a questionaire. I hid the notes for him to find, and instructed him to hide them back for me. Here is an example of how you could design your weekend, day or perfect date night...using his imput:

NOTE #1

On your dream day which of the following would you do in the morning?

a. go on a hike

b. go fishing

c. play tennis

d. stay in bed late and watch a movie

Where would you spend the night?

a. a cabin in the woods

b. a hotel downtown

c. condo in parkcity

d. home

NOTE #2

Circle one from each category to make your homemade dream meal!

chicken, beef, shrimp, fish,

pasta, rolls, rice, breadsticks

asparagus, zucchini, salad, broccoli

rootbeer float, chocolate cake, cheesecake,

NOTE #3

Use the following words to describe your dream (date, weekend, day)

*insert words that you know you will do, like "saturday" "snow" "cabin" "fire"

You can change this to make it work for any occasion, and price range. I loved it because he really helped me plan what we were going to do! And he loved it!

Valentines Idea:12 "Lays"...

Ok, by popular demand...I am actually going to post this! Warning...this is a little kinky, so I wont give too many details! Two of my friends did this for their husbands for Christmas, and I thought the idea was so funny and cute I didnt want to wait until next Christmas. SO...Instead of the 12 Days of Christmas...try the 12 Lays of Valentines. There are many different ways of going about it, but the one they did, went along with the original song...here are some examples, but girls, GET CREATIVE!

1. Pear bubble bath, pear dessert, etc

2.dove chocolate, chocolate turtles, spell out "love" with them

3. french kiss, french kiss the movie, french and romantic

4. sexy "calling" messages, or notes, or texts

5. anything gold (undies, lotion, doughnuts, etc.)

6. egg breakfast in bed, anything with eggs

7. goldfish, a speedo for swimming?

8. maid attire, milk duds, milk shake

9. beginners guide to "dancing," etc.

10. a massage (the lords were tired of leaping), choc. frogs, sexy chess or checkers

11. music, itunes gift card, homemade cd of favorite sexy songs

12. whatever you want the finale to be!

Can you imagine the possibilities and the expression on your husbands face when he looks in his briefcase the first day! I love it because...if it is thoughtful and romantic, you dont have to get something expensive...how could they complain about this!

Valentines Idea: The Gift Basket

We are not talking about a gift basket from Artichoke & Co (which is beautiful and if money permits and time doesnt, it is a great choice)...I am talking about a VERY personalized gift basket for your Valentine.

1. Future Plans Basket: Every item represents something you are looking forward to in the future. (Pineapple or Macademias...for the trip to Hawaii you want to take, Guidebook...for hikes or trails, Golf balls...for the hobby you want to learn, lincoln logs...for the cabin you are hoping for, baby bottle full of a favorite treats...for a future child, etc. )

2. Things you love about him basket: things that represent all of the things that make him special to you.

3. His favorite things basket: you get the idea

I think I sometimes overuse these. For Rob's First Father's day I did "things that I cant wait for my Daddy to teach me" I love them because they are thoughtful and as long as the things are useful...they are a good alternative to one gift.