Friday Faves

Hello and happy Friday! It’s Valentine’s Day!

Ah! Romance is in the air. Or at least we hope.

We’ve been trained since grade school that Valentine’s Day is a big deal. I remember as a 3rd grader, crafting my plain Baker’s shoebox into a masterpiece that would surely beckon each and every one of my classmate’s Valentine cards to be deposited into it. I mean, how could they not?

Once I was safely at home, I’d sort through the valentines to count how many Valentines I’d received. Anxiously hopeful, I’d check them all to see if I’d been left out from the most popular kids in class—or any kids for that matter. I’d judge each card for secret messages and wonder if Kenneth, my secret crush, could possibly be sending me a hidden sign in Snoopy’s cartoon bubbled sentiment to Woodstock or wonder if it was a mistake that I only received 26 valentines when there were 29 kids in the class.

I tell you…people wax on about the expectations from today’s social media but it’s got nothing on the social bearing that childhood Valentine’s Day cards did—and still do. Talk about judging your own self worth! I could have been scarred for life. Expectation and self judgement as a kid can bleed into our self-worth as we grow older—but only if we let it.

That’s why as adults, instead of playing the game of “he loves me, he loves me not”, we should all choose to stop worrying about what we might or might not get from others, and feel our own self respect when we give instead. Our time, our love, even just a smile to a stranger. Try it today and see what happens when you give something with no expectation of getting anything in return. You might just find it’s the only love you really need.

But enough about me and all my woo-woo. Let’s dig into this week’s Friday Faves! Enjoy my loves!

8 simple things happy couples do every day.

14 valentine DIYs that’ll get you the x’s and o’s.

See how to make your own Valentine’s flower bouquet (the second set of flowers is super smart, stylish, and easy!)

Simple ways to show you love ’em that aren’t gifts.

and…

Other ways to say you love them.

plus…

Valentines aren’t for everyone: 16 things to do if you’re feeling lonely.

55 lover-ly Valentine’s drinks and desserts if you’re a little late to the game.

7 easy tips to get you to cook more at home.

These are only for TRUE fans of In ‘n Out.

Clean up and dejunk:

• The secret to decluttering your spice cabinet. Mine is to turn it into a drawer!
• Are you storing your produce properly?
• 20 best tips from 20 years of organizing

This is what you should eat for breakfast, and sorry, bacon isn’t on the list.

These little packages bathed in browned butter are really all you need.

Thai curry tofu. I am 100% there.

My husband is going to want this soup big time.

4 famous chocolate cakes but only one winning recipe.

Steak the way the Frenchies do it. Perfectly.

A chicken stir fry for every day of the week.

Kung pao cauliflower tacos. Now that’s a meal.

I love anything Louied, especially a shrimp louie salad.

A good recipe to love your cruciferous even more.

This rice pilaf would add swagger to any plate.

Bringing it homie style: copycat KFC potatoes and gravy.

Pastafied with this chicken bolognese.

A new look at tuna casserole that totally works for me.

More reasons to elope: The most expensive states to get married in.

5 steps to a productive week.

20 books to add to your 2020 reading list.

I KNEW there was a reason I love playing this sport. 

It’s all about the money honey: 5 simple money moves that will impact your finances in a big way.

and…

The top 4 mistakes people make when saving for their children’s education. I’d also add, start now!

I can’t decide if I’m too old to wear this or not. I think I can pull it off! Thoughts?

Oh man! Why doesn’t this come in adult sizes????

I’m heading back to the 90’s and am on the hunt for comfy sweatpants. Wide leg or regular leg?

I need to get AliSmudge to make this for us: DIY bath soak.

If you haven’t gotten them a V-day present yet, you can’t go wrong with this. 

A different path to try: 5 herbs for anxiety and depression.

And, because I love the original movie, I’m excited to start watching this new TV show. And I’ve already started listening to the soundtrack on Spotify.

That’s it for this week! Have a lover-ly Valentine’s Day and President’s Day.

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