Next week is Valentine's Day! Maybe you're celebrating this weekend by hosting a cute brunch with your girlfriends or waiting until next Tuesday to celebrate over dinner with your sweetie. Whether you couldn't care less about the holiday, or you love going all out, I'm sharing a few cute ideas that all of you could use!
1. The Flowers
Now I LOVE getting flowers from my husband, but I can't stand the high prices now a days...especially around a holiday like Valentine's Day. So I usually just tell him not to worry about getting me any because of this and also because I prefer something different than just your standard roses.
So this is where I tell you my flower secret. If you have a Trader Joe's near you, this is where I find the most gorgeous flowers....and for an amazing price! Keep in mind that while they do sell some pre-made bouquets, you'll most likely have to buy a variety of bunches and make your own...so get creative! They always have a great selection of flowers that you don't usually see in your typical grocery store: such as stock, tulips, spray roses, and greenery. This means that you can create a beautiful arrangement with higher quality flowers, for a cheaper price.
I was able to make this cute, colorful arrangement for under $10. I had the yellow pitcher in my cupboard, and I got one bunch of white stock, one bunch of pink stock, and one bunch of eucalyptus variety for $2.99 each from Trader Joe's!
This cute, simple arrangement cost me under $10 as well. The pink vase is from the Target 'dollar' section for $3. The hydrangea is from Trader Joe's-three hydrangea heads for $5.99. Simple and romantic...and everyone loves hydrangea!
2. The Cocktail
Now whether you're having that brunch or waiting until dinnertime to celebrate, I have a great cocktail recipe for you to try. It's easy to make with just a few ingredients, and you could even make a big pitcher of it!
What you'll need:
*chilled champagne
*grapefruit juice
*rose water
*grenadine
Fill your glass 3/4 full of champagne. Add two tablespoons of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. Add 4-5 drops of rose water (can be found at your local liquor store near the simple syrup). For some color and a little added sweetness, add a drop or two of grenadine!
Stemless champagne glasses: World Market
Valentine's Day stirrers: Target
3. The Sweet Treat
Now we all know Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete without something sweet, and usually that sweet is chocolate. Why not switch it up this year and try your hand at making homemade sugar cookies!? They look very intimidating to make, but I promise you they are not that difficult! (They are just a little time consuming!)
I will be honest and say that I am all about some Martha Stewart recipes. No matter what baked good I am making, I know that it will always be delicious and for the most part easy to follow. So I'm sharing her sugar cookie recipe with you below. It's the only one I use when I make sugar cookies. And don't make the mistake of buying store bought sugar cookie dough...that stuff is so buttery that when you take the pan out of the oven, your hearts will just look like swollen blobs. So try something new and make them yourself!!
What you'll need:
*heart cookie cutter
*rolling pin
*spatula
*cooling racks
How cute are these!? I was so pumped with how they turned out. I hope you'll give it try too!
I hope at least one of these ideas gave you some inspiration for Valentine's Day! I always think homemade is the way to go. You end up saving money but it also shows so much love by the amount of time and effort you put into something. Thanks for reading, have a great rest of the week ya'll! xo